April 10th.—­Yesterday we saw the Dhurma, to whom we had to ascend by several flight of steps, which are most break-neck things, the steps overlapping in front, and being often lined with iron on the part most subject to be worn.  We found him in the south room of the upper story of the citadel.  We waived our right to sitting in his presence as the question was put to us with respect and delicacy.  The Rajah is a good looking boy, of eight or ten years old:  he was seated in the centre, but in an obscure part of the room, and was not surrounded by many immediate attendants.  The balcony was filled with scribes with handsome black, gilt, lettered books before them.  Two other scribes were likewise engaged on our right, noting down what passed, but they seemed to be very bad writers.  The visit went off well.  The room was tastily, but not so profusely ornamented with scarfs as was the Deb’s.

On returning we found the household guard drawn up in front to prevent our passing out without paying a fee.  This matter was soon settled forcibly, and the durwan, or door-keeper, lost by his impudence the present he would otherwise have had from P., besides being in a great fright lest the affair should be reported to the Rajah.

April 11th.—­The rains appear to have set in:  the sky is constantly overcast, and showers are by no means unfrequent.  One of our dawks arrived opened:  this no doubt took place in the palace, although the Deb strenuously denies it.  Messengers are to be sent to Tassgoung, where the accident is said to have happened.  The cause of its having been opened, is no doubt the report that there was a letter in it from the old Deb.

April 14th.—­A violent squall unaccompanied by rain, came on yesterday from the west:  roofs were flying about in every direction, and many accidents occurred from the falling of the stones by which they were secured.  Part of the palace was unroofed.  The storm has stopped all our amusements, particularly as the Gylongs attribute it to our firing.  The Kacharies, our servants, were likewise requested not to play any more on the esplanade.  This is just as it has been in every other place in Bootan, nothing is said against amusement until the presents have been received, and then we are requested to do nothing, and the authorities become disobliging!

The potters fashion their earthenware entirely with their hands, the upper half is finished on a flat board; the lower being added afterwards; the finishing is done chiefly by a wet rag, the operator revolving around the pot.  The vessels chiefly used for carrying water are oval, these are covered with black glaze.

Some Didymocarpi very fragrant, one near Chindupjee most grateful, resembling quince and sandal wood; the odour is permanent, and appears to reside in the young leaves before their expansion:  Iris, Hypericum, Viola, Ligust., Ranunculus, Verbasena, Gymnostomum, Serratula arenaria, Veronica.