An Embassy to the Court of the Teshoo Lama in Tibet - Prajna Quest

;132 BOOTAN.balconies. It is a very roomy lodgment, has a commanding position,and prevents the castle from being seen even ata small distance.The bridge of Wandipore isof singular lightness and beauty in itsappearance. I am happy to annex a view of this structure'', takenupon the spot by Mr. Davis, and comprehending also the highly picturesquescenery around, as another proof of the talent, fidelity, and taste,with wliich my friend seized on every appropriate feature, that marksthe character of this peculiar country.The bridge is composed entirelyof fir,and has not the smallest piece of iron, or any other metal, to connectits parts. It has three gateways; one on each side the river, andanother erected in tlie stream, upon a pier, which is pointed like awedge towards the current, but is on the opposite side a little convexbelow it,the eddy, produced by the re-union of the divided water, hasthrown up a large bed of sand, on which grows a large willow,thatflourishes extremely. The gateway on the Tassisudon side, is a loftysquare stone building, with projecting balconies near the top, borderedby a breast work, and pierced with a portcullis. The span of thefirst bridge, which occupies two thirds of the breadth of the river,measures one hundred and twelve feet : it consists of three parts, twosides and a centre, nearly equal to each other; tiie sides, having aconsiderable slope, raise theelevation of the centre platform, which ishorizontal, some feet above the floor of the gateways. A quadruplerow of timbers, their ends being set in the masonry of the bank andpier, supports the sides ; the centre part is laid from one side to theother. The beams and planks are both of hewn fir : and they are" Plate VIII.