a kingdom of India, to the north-east of the city of Patna, at the distance of about 12 days journey. The roads in the mountains are both narrow and dangerous, but in the plains they are allowed to be good. Some parts of it are obnoxious to a putrid fever, of which those who are seized with it die in a few days; but the people in the plains are not obnoxious to it. The plain is about 200 miles in circumference, and the only entrance to it is by the mountains. It contains three principal cities; Cat'hamandu, having about 18,000 houses; Lelit Pattan contains 24,000; and B'hatgan 12,000 families. Besides these there are many large and populous towns, the chief of which are Timi and Cipoli. The religion of the inhabitants, like that of most other countries in a state little removed from barbarism, abounds with a number of absurd rites and ceremonies, which it would be superfluous to enumerate; but many of them adopt that of the Brahmins, the moral part of which, in many respects, must be allowed to be excellent.

The temple of Baghero in the city of Lelit Pattan, is said to be superior to the king's palace, on account of the immense quantities of gold, silver, and jewels which it contains; and the waters of a river about three miles from Cat'hamandu are considered as holy, to which people of rank are conveyed in the prospect of death. This kingdom is believed to be of very great antiquity, as its language and independence have been preserved from time immemorial; yet the dissensions of its nobles completely ruined it not many years ago, who could not agree about the choice of a proper successor on the death of their sovereign.