The village itself is a poor one, containing perhaps sixty houses, but these are divided into three or four groups; the houses, with the exception of three or four stone and lime ones, are of the usual build, viz. of bamboo, and raised on muchauns.  Filth and dirt abound every where, and the places immediately contiguous to the huts are furnished plentifully with various ordures.

Along the ridge three or four temples occur, these are of the Boodhistical form:  they are composed entirely of slate, are white-washed; none are of any size, and the workmanship is rude in the extreme; on each face of the square basement, slabs of slate with inscriptions are visible, and in one instance many of these are ranged along a longish wall.  The Pagodas are surrounded with long banners, with inscriptions fastened longitudinally to bamboos.  On the west side of this the view is remarkably pretty, embracing all the temples, part of the village, and the Rajah’s house.  The hills adjoining being considerably diversified and remarkable, and for India over picturesquely wooded.

The pucka houses are ungainly structures, the height being out of all proportion to the width, the walls are very thick, and composed of slate slabs, the roof is choppered with projecting eaves, the windows are very narrow.  Each has three stories, the middle one being occupied by the owner, this is divided into several rude compartments, each of which has one or two balconies.

The steps are rude and awkward, consisting of notches cut into large blocks.  The cooking is carried on, on the ground floor, much to the edification of the residents above.  Dirt abounds in every direction.  The doors are rudely constructed of wood.

January 4th.—­To-day was occupied by moving up into the village, in which we occupy a pucka house.

January 5th.—­Visited the Sooba or Rajah, his house is very picturesque, reminding me much of the pictures of Swiss cottages:  it is white-washed, with a red belt.  The interior is capacious; the state room has hangings, which are decorated with native pictures on cloth.  At the east end is a recess in which are some well-executed Chinese statues, the chief figure is of large dimensions, and is intended to represent the Durmah Rajah, whose statue is supposed to give infallibility.  Two bells were suspended, one from the centre, the other from the balcony, the tongues of which were long, of ivory, and moved by a string.  The Rajah received us in state, amidst discordant sounds of horns, pipes, and drums; his followers for the most part were badly clothed, the few decent looking persons being only decent externally.  He was seated on a raised dais and was well dressed.  He is a stout Chinese looking man, about 50 years old, and his deportment was certainly easy and dignified.  The meeting was very friendly, but it is evident that we shall be delayed here at least seven days.