Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1921-07-28
Street Scene in Patan, Nepal.

Prepared by the National Geographic So
ciety, Washington, D. CO.
Nepal in which is situated much or
Mt. Everest, the worlds highest pin
nacle, which is now being attacked
by an deliberately equipped British
scientific expedition, is the true "her-
init kingdom" Of today. The govern
ment purposely keeps the roads which
lead from India to Napal in bad con-
dition, and travellers are admitted to
but one small valley, and then only
for special reasons upon a difficulty
obtained permit.
This kingdom which holds itself so
aloof from the world is narrow strip
of country about 100 miles wide and
500 miles long, extending for. nearly
a third cf the distance between India
and Tibet along the sky-piercing
Himalayas. On the south it includes
a very narrow strip of plains country,
but predominantly it is a mountain
GUS region. In fact, its possession OF
Mt. Everest and some of the other
Of the highest mountains in the world
give it claim, in one sense at least, to
be the most mountainous Of countries.
The Nepalese are a fighting people,
have an excellent army and organiza-
ton, and are fond of show, both in
military display and in their religious
festivals. The latter are very numer-
Gus, and in fact seem to be intermin-
able. The women take prominent
part in most of them.
Some of the semi-military pageants
end in the massacre Of hundreds or
buffaloes. In one such ceremony.
known as the blessing of the colors,
the commander In chief dips his hands
in a bowl of blood and clasps each
banner In turn, thus imprinting on
each the mark Of bloody hands. The
scene is somewhat revolving, but prob
ably has it's use in keeping up mar
tIal spirit In the army.
Voluminous Dresses Of Women.
The Nepalese women wear yards
upon yards-sometimes as many as
hundred-of fine muslin plated to
form huge fan-shaped bunch in front,
the back being quite tight. When
lady of rank drives in her barouche.
she completely fills the carriage with
her voluminous skirt Of brilliant hue.
Above the skirt q vivid little tight-fit-
ting jacket, usually of velvet, is worn;
the hair is dressed in a peculiar knot
in front, above the forehead, and fas-
tened to one side by an enormous gold
plaque with a jeweled center. A
heavy gold necklace and gold bangles
complete her jewelry. Every imag-
Unable shade is used-purple pale
blue, green, carmine, orange, white,
yellow, turquoise, and deep red-and
she effect is wonderful.
At the time of state ceremonies the
streets are filed with professions Of
elephants In gorgeous trappings,
horses and ponies brilliant military
uniforms, and the usual crowd Of
zood-natured, pleasure-loving people,
the whole against the background of
the old temples and natural surround
lngs making a wonderful spectacle.
The journey into Nepal is not an
easy one. At first there Is a track
through the forest, but as soon as the
outer hills are reached the road loses
itself In the bed Of stream, up which
the bearers pick their way with diff
Guilty over and among great boulders.
The official road finally goes over the
very rough track across the Chandra-
girl pass and down the almost i'm
passable road on the other side into
the Nepal valley. The last portion
Of the descent is down long stair
case Of roughly-placed blocks of stone,
and 1t is marvellous how the laden men
and ponies keep their footing on it.
In the NepaI Valley.
From the foot of the pass an excel.
lent carriage road into the town OF
Khatmandu runs through the valley
teening with people, towns, palaces
temples, and innumerable shrine,'
There are miles of such good carriage
roads within the valley, mostly con.
structed in Jung Bahadur's time, and
carriages and pairs. and occasionally
four-in-haDd are constantly used by
the palace people.
In this valley, where the shrine,
alone are said to number more thar
zoo 'Nn h.-fi Hr,cS r,r~snnt an atNa7