The Raymer enterprise., 1921-08-11

Ing diversity Of form. derived from
many sources-Egyptian, as shown In
the typical form of the windows and
doorways finely adapted to local tra'
ditIons; Persian, Babylonlan, Inds-
Aryan, and even HISTORIAN In some Of
the designs.
The inhabitants Of Nepal are collec.
lively known as "Dwellers 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 castes and sub
castes.
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
political disturbances, which are not
lnfrequent. Some Of the windows are
very line 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-
ilglon Of the country before the In
yasion Of the Gurkhns. Although the
largest town in Nepal, 1t Is a quiet,
sleepy place, much of 1t falling. Into
nins, but still most picturesque. It
tands In the center Of the beautiful
alley, against background Of green
Mountains and snowy peaks-a net.
work Of narrow, twisting little streets
lacked full Of shrlnes, temples, and
pagOdas, many OF them deserted and
lailing into ruins, but still with ex-
Qlisite bits Of carving and wonderful
dOorways Of all shapes and sizes and
&DHd,rful designs.
Many Of Patan's buildings are dec.
rated with sheets of embossed copper
lit, and everywhere the shrines are
, .iarded by pairs Of fearsOIne animals
u enormous size. Carved stone pill
ltrs are surmounted by animals, birds.
dr fish modelled in metal: bells Of all
aizes are everywhere, and huge lotus
thrones In bronze hold bronze Thun-
tIcr-Bolts or D0rgls.
The art Of the Nepalese. or, properly
speaking, the Newars. Is worthy Of
special consideration. II was the Ne
vars who brought art to its highest
state of perfection, and their influence
iHs extended through these hills into
Slkkim, Bhuian, 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 Tibet. 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 extraordl-
narily beautifri and ornate. Every
scrap of wood is carved in some man
ner; the struts upholding the caves Of
shrlnes 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 oyerhanglng
balconies are highly ornamented and
the work on some of the pillars Is very
bold and striking.
In weaving, the natives are de-
ficlent. the only cloth made be-
Ing coarse cotton of no artistic value.
The feudal system, which has pre-
vailed among these hills for many
years, Is In a measure responsible for
much Of the artistic work Of the ma
tives. for II enables man to put his
whole energy into his work. He has
no care about food or housing; II Is
to his masters and his own advantage
to produce the most artistic work pos
sible.
Nepal maintains well-drilled and
efficient army Of about $1,000 infantry
and $500 artillery, with about 100
serviceable and $50 unserviceable
guns. The Maharajah is not permit.
ted to have any intercourse with Eu-
ropeans, and should the British resi-
dent or any official have occasion to
interview him II is always In the pres
ence of some Nepalese official.