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

BOOTAN. 37woods in search of plants, and found none but such as weie commoain Bengal, except raspberry bushes, and a shrub in blossom with anorange-coloured flower, immediately under which grew a number ofleaves perfectly white, but in form entirely similar to those on otherparts of the bush, which were of a lively green. This mixture of coloursproduced a very singular and pleasing effect. I collected someplants, and sent them to Rungpore.Returning from our walk, I foundthe Soobah, with many of his attendants, and the principal inhabitantsof Buxadewar, shooting with the bow and arrow at a mark, which,though small, was frequently pierced, at the distance, as Iguessed, ofone hundred and fifty yards : the arrows were always thrown in anhorizontal direction.The next and following day we had much rain, both in the morningand the evening;heavy showers, unattended by thunder or wind, andevery appearance of the commencement of the rainy season.We paida visit to the Soobah, who rose to receive us at the entrance of hischamber, and when we were seated, tried to entertain us by an accountof the omnipotence of his gods, represented in pictures which werehanging near him :but his explanation was so blended with fable andmystery, that to me it was quite unintelligible. An enamelled snuffboxlay by him, which he gave me to look at, and, when I had itin myhand, he desired me to keep it : he presented me also with a purse,into which he put three rupees ; for I found it the custom of the peoplehere never to give away an empty purse. After some trivial conversation,we took with him one cup of tea, and another of spirit ; and,on taking our leave, we were presented, as usual, with trays of fruit.