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observe that they made use of iron, or any other metal, about their 
edifices. They are good joiners : their wooden divisions are inserted 
between grooves, and their doors turn on pivots. 
This light kind of summer-house stood on higher ground, at only a 
short distance from the castle, and at the end of a very long grass- 
plot, where the Booteeas were accustomed to meet every afternoon to 
practise their martial exercises. They shot with the bow and arrow, 
at two marks set up in the ground, at the distance of two hundred 
yards from each other: each archer was furnished with one arrow; 
and they traversed to and fro, shooting alternately from one mark to 
the other. There appeared to exist a-great degree of emulation among 
them, and an impartial attention to merit; for I observed, that if the 
least important, or youngest, of the party, sent his arrow near the 
mark, he was instantly applauded with a loud shout of triumph. 
It was impossible to behold their sport without admiration; for, 
besides the striking peculiarities in the person and dress of a Booteea, 
the act of drawing the bow exhibits, in my opinion, one of the most 
graceful attitudes of muscular exertion: the fencing school has not one 
that displays an athletic figure to greater advantage. 
Paro boasts the only market in Bootan; and it appears to be much 
frequented. It is also famous for the manufacture of gods, and forging 
of arms, particularly of swords and daggers, and the barbs of arrows. 
The mechanics flocked about us on our departure, on Thursday 
the 11th of September; and it was impossible to go, without leaving 
among them some encouragement for the arts. 
Not far from our house we saw half a dozen stout women thrashing 
