Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1850-09-21

cellency and suite profess the religion Of
Buddhism; and on account Of their strict no.
tions respecting their religion, diet. and
ablutions, and their dread of having their
food, or vessels which contain il, touched by
Christians, they were compelled to engage
the whole fore cabin and saloons Of the Ri
pom, in which they fitted up cooking appa-
ratus, which was constructed out Of a large
square box made Of planks and paddle floats
filled with mud and sand The fuel they
used was charcoal. Their principal food on
board was poultry, kids, eggs, rice, and veg
etables. They took in themselves, at each
port they touched at, what wafer they want
ed.
As the description Of this embassy will
likely interest our readers quite as much as
political details, we subjoin other particu-
lars:
The features Of the Nepaulese partake Of
the Mongolian and Hindoo caste Many Of
the embassy are most pleasing and handsome
looking men, and their dresses are gorgeous
beyond description.
The general is handsome and most in
teIligent man, abou, 81 years of age, very
dark, with long jet black hair. He is the
first Hindoo of high caste that has visited
England.
The Ripon arrived in the Southampton,
dock soon after seven in the morning. Many
of the Generals suite were promenadiDg the
deck, and among them his two brothers, very
handsome young men, and splendidly dress
ed. The General made his appearance on
deck at about half-past seven. His dress
consisted Of black satin cloak, profusely
embroidered with gold of elegant workman
ship. His head dress was cap nearly COW
cred with large emcralds, diamonds and 9th
er precious stones. The cap was surnount-
ed with bird Of Paradise the fastening Of
which was covered by Profusion of bril-
liants. His fingers were covered with rings,
on one Of which was diamond, an amethyst,
and an emerald Of immense value His wrists
were also covered with bracelets adorned
with gold and precious stones.
He left the ship soon after O'Clock in the
morning, to 60 to the PeDinsuIar and Orien-
tai Company Offices, just outside the dock
gates On walking from the ship, His Ex-
cellcncy was preceded by one of the chiefof
suite, and followed by large number of 9th
er chiefs. Such a strange and gorgeous
sight is seldom witnessed. There we're II or
Is princely personages, evidently from a re-
fined and highly civilized State on the bor-
ders Of the Himalayan range, with most
strange but handsome c0untenances, clothed
in dresses Of elegant and costly workmanship,
Many of their head-drcsses, when the sun
shone ON them, were literally blazing with
brillants They were all armed with pistols,
mounted. and many of tSe:r swords wete in
golden scabbards.
e. -
Southampton hotel unless he could have It
entirely to himself. This arose from re1igi-
Gus scruples, lest any food prepared for
Christians should be mixed with his own
In consequence Of this determination imfne-
date arrangements were made to enable the
ambassador and suite to sleep and cook their
food at the Peninsular Offices during their
stay in Southampton. During the whole Of
Saturday afternoon the Hindoo servants were
busy conveying their cooking utensils, water
pitchers, bedding, rice and other kinds Of
food to their temporary abode. A tent was
formed in back yard, where Nepaulese
cooking apparatus was fitted up. Messen-
gers were employed running all over the
town purchasing eggs and vegetables. The
Hindoos refused hens eggs, and preferred the
larger eggs of ducks and geese, They took
a great fancy for cauIilower, which is very
plentiful at Southampton, and purchased an
immense quantity Of that vegetable. They
appeared to observe the utmost secrecy in
dressing and eating their food and were much
alarmed lest any Of the blacks and other per-
sons belonging to the Peninsular Company
should observe them. But though so secret
about their cooking and eating, they appear
ed to be quite Indifferent as 70 who saw them
at their extraordinary ablutions.. They wash
after they touch anything, the washing being
more like a religious ceremony, than for the
purpose of cleanliness Not only the Hihdon
servants, but some Of the chiefs were in the
back yard washing themselves almost per-
petuaIly They stripped, with the exception
Of slight cloth around the loins, and they
would wash themselves all over with about
half pint of water. The servants Of the en-
bassy were evidently Of the lowest caste
some were meanly and miserably clad, many
Of them without shoes, and. their clothing
formed striking contrast to the magnificent
costume of the chiefs. His Excellency dWed
with few members Of his suite on Saturday.
After dinner they all commenced smoking
They also rode out In a carriage in the eve
ming. They seemed much pleased with the
apartment in which they resided, which is
very spacious and handsome one, and par
icularly in the evening, when it was Id up
With gas. .ii
The Ripon brought home collection Of
birds and beasts from Ethiopia, Abyssinia,
md other parts of the world. There were
inc young lion and leopard, wild hog,
,air of pelicans, three eagles, gazeiIe. three
ynxes, two musk rats, a Sahara ibex, Ia goat
With magnificent horns. number Of kanga-
90 rats, a little larger than English mice, Of
|. very light brown color, and remarkable
or the length Of their hind as compared with
heir fore legs, several Cashmere goats.
vid cat. rather larger than domestic one,
marked like leopard, with a beautiful head
There were also a number Of venomous ser
ents and gigantic lizards; several OF the
obra capellas we're as big round as mans