a kingdom of India, to the north-east of the city of Patna, inclosed among the secondary branches of the Himmaeleh mountains, of great extent from east to west, but scarcely exceeding a degree of latitude in breadth. The height of the country above the sea, as indicated by the barometer, is not less than 4000 feet; yet Colonel Kirkpatrick found the thermometer on one occasion at 87°. But the neighbouring mountains afford the inhabitants every variety of climate, from the heat of Bengal to the cold of Russia. The high grounds are very healthy; in the valleys fever prevails; guttural tumours or goitres are found in both. Iron and copper abound in this country. Though stones are found, the houses are built of brick, cemented with mud. The cattle are similar to those of Bengal, and the honey is excellent. The soil is fertile, and besides wheat, rice, and sugar, yields the Zeoral a species of yam, and the Kuraila a kind of wild asparagus, which form a considerable part of the subsistence of the poorer inhabitants.

The inhabitants consist principally of the two superior classes of Hindoos, and a race called Newars, who are probably of Chinese or Tartar origin. The former, who compose the army, engross all situations of trust, and are found dispersed all over the country. The Newars are confined almost entirely to the valley of Nepal Proper. The latter are divided into several castes or orders. The total population is estimated at about half a million. The Newars are a peaceable and industrious people, of a middle size, with broad shoulders and chests, very stout limbs, round and flat faces, but open and cheerful. The Newar women change their husbands as often as they please on the slightest pretences. The religion of the country is the same as the Hinduism of Bengal. The government is despotic. The trade is inconsiderable, being crushed by monopolies. Khatmandu, the capital, is supposed to contain about 50,000