The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-08-03

| ing diversity Of form, derived from
many sources-Egyptian, as shown In
the typical form of the windows and
doorways finely adapted to local ira
ditions; Persian, Babylonan, Indo-
Aryan, and even HISTORIAN in some OF
the designs.
The inhabitants Of Nepal are collec-
| lively known as jewellers In the
Hills" and are divided into innumer-
able castles. The Gurkhas are now the
dominant race. Among the Gurkhas
there are q castles and in addition to
these, there are among the Newars, or
conquered people, Al castles and SUBJ
castles.
The most striking buildings Of Ne.
pals comparatively modern capital,
Khatmandu, are, perhaps, those COM
posing the Durbar palace, with its
many quadrangles and pagoda-shaped
roofs, full Of chambers and courts
with small communicating doors cas-
lily closed, which enable the inhabi-
tants to defend themselves in case OF
pol1llCul "AASll "a z i1DS
infrequent. Some Of the windows are
very fine and there are some striking
bits Of wood carving.
Patan, the Old Capital.
Patan was the old Newar capital,
where Buddhism was the accepted re-
ligion Of the country before the in
vasion Of the Gurkhas. Although the
largest town In Nepal it is quiet,
sleepy place, much Of it falling into
ruins, but still most picturesque. 1t
valley, against background of green
mountains and snowy peaks-a net
work of narrow, twisting little streets
packed full Of shrines, temples, and
pagodas, many of them deserted and
| falling into ruins, but still with ex-
qusite bits of carving and wonderful
doorways Of all shapes and sizes and
wonderful designs.
Many Of Patan's buildings are dec
GRATED with sheets Of embossed copper
gilt, and everywhere the shrines are
| guarded by pairs Of fearsome animals
Of enormous size. Carved stone pill
lars are surmounted by animals, birds,
or fish modelled in metal; bells Of all
sizes are everywhere, and huge lotus
thrones in bronze hold bronze Thur
der-Bolts or Dorgis.
! The art Of the Nepalese, or, properly
speaking, the Newars, is worthy Of
special consideration. 1t was the Ne.
wars who brought art to its highest
state Of perfection, and their influence
has extended through these hills into
Sikkim, Bhutan, and Tibet. Indian
influence has penetrated from the
south with the advance Of Buddhism
and has spread through the hills, along
the Brahmaputra valley, to Lhasa, the
capital Of TibeA On the other hand,
Chinese influence Is also strong and
there has been intercourse with that
country for many centuries.
Beautiful Wood Carving.
Nepalese wood carving is eXtraordi.
narily beautiful and ornate. Every
scrap of wood is carved in some man.
ner; the struts upholding the caves of
ShrineS represent satyrs and dragons
while windows and doors are exam.
pies of the most elaborate and minute
Workmanship Of every conceivable de.
sign. The verandas and overhanginc
balconies are highly ornamented and
the work on sc@e Of the pillars is very
bold and striking.
In weaving, the natives are de
ficient, the only cloth made be
ing coarse cotton Of no artistic value
The feudal system, which has pre
vailel among these hills for man,
; years. = III measure responsible fol
much Of the artistic work of the m
tives, for it enables Il man to mt hi.
whole energy into his work. He hs,
no care about food or housing: il I,
to his masters and his own adyan,ss,
to produce the most artistic work nos
!, Sible.
!. Nepal maintains a well-d rinea nm,
efficient army Sf about $1,000 Inrontr,
: and $500 artillery, with about ION
! serviceable and 40 unseryice,b,
Y guns. The Maharajah is not nerm,,
y ted to have any Intercourse with IA,
ropeans, and should the British r.s,
$ dent or any official have occasion (,
Interview him It is always in tina nrs.
: ence OF some Nepalese aEr.sl