Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-08-23


Europe. The mobiles live I'm castle-forts
with large groups Of retainers. Some
Of these till the fields while others
carry on industries necessary for the
maintenance OF the establishment. In
the factory wings" of some Of the
great castles many girls and women
are kept busy weaving silk. wool. and
Gotten fabrics. Men make excellently
tempered swords and other weapons
from charcoal iron, and others engage
In gold and silversmith's work. In the
monasterles bells and images are cast
from metals.
Their swords are very handsome
weapons. with finely finished blades.
deliberately wrought, sIlver-handled,
inlald with turquoise and coral. and
silver scnbbards with gOld-washed pat
terms. attached 20 handsome leather
belts with brightly colored silk cords
and tassels Their daggers are also
very fine. many OF them with trlangu-
lar blades and iluted sides with sheaths
IL exquisite open silver and gold work
set with turquoise.
The mOnasteries possess an art
which Is probably peculiar 10 Bhutan.
They make most beautiful needlework
pictures OF the saints on hanging ban
ners. Innumerable pieces Of colored
s'l..s and brocades are applied In a.
most artistic manner with elaborate
stitches Of all kinds. Many of them
are veritable works Of art.
Another industry In which the
Bhutanese excel Is basket-w0rk and
fine mating, made from split cane.
The baskets are beautifully woven Of
very finely split cane and some of the
lengths are cOl0red 10 form a pattern.
They are made IN two circular pieces,
rounded top and bottom, and the two
pieces lit SO closely and well that they
can be used to carry water. They are
from 6 10 - inches In diameter. and
the Bhutanese use them principally
TO carry cooked rice and food. They
also make much larger and stronger
baskets, very much In the shape Of a
mule-pannier. and these are used In
similar way FOR pack animals.
Why Their Work is Excellent.
Possibly the excellence OF the work
produced In Bhutan owes much 20 the
feudal system which SIN prevails
there. Each penlop and j0ngpen has
his own workmen among his retainers
men who are not paid by the piece
and are not obliged either TO work up
10 time or 10 WORK az all II the spirit
Is not IN them, and consequently they
put their souls into what they do, with
the result that some pieces Of splendid
individuality and excellent finish are
stlll made. No two pieces are quite
alike, and each workman leaves his
impress on his work.
II Bhutan is ever opened up as a
resort for sightseers Americas Grand
canyon and its Yosemite valley may
have 10 look 10 their laurels. The gorge
OF the Tchln-chu is bordered by stu
pendous cliffs OF the most weird
shapes. among the lowest Of which I'll
CAPTAIN OF the Yosemite would be
dwarfed The towering rocks are cieft
In numberless places from top to bot
tom. leaving narrow Sits or assures,
some OF which are said to be a nile
on more long.
The Bhutanese men are fne' tah'
well-developed. with an open, honest
east Of face. and the women are come
Is. clean and well dressed and excel
lent housekeepers and managers.
Their religion Is Buddhism and their
language "A dialect Of Tlbetan. The
population OF Bhutan Is about 100000
The clothes OF the higher officials
are always immaculate, their brOcades
and silks fresh and unstained In any
way. and even the coolies are a great
contrast TO the usual Tibetan or Oar
feeling coolie. A great part OF the
country is under cultivation, and they
raise sufficient crops 20 support the
whole population. including the lamaS
As the lamas In Bhutan are fed.
clothed and housed at state expense.
and as their numbers have steadily
increased. they have become a very
heavy burden.