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 the entry of an unbeliever was forbidden, and again a long consultation among the attendant throng took place, with a small prospect of any unanimous decision either way. In all these matters the difficulty is to find one in authority, as each individual vociferated an opinion, but each apparently without any actual right or reason. It is, however, only fair to add here that, except in one or two isolated cases, the most courteous and broad-minded reception was accorded to all requests for admission into any shrine, temple, or other holy building within Nepalese territory. Eventually the problem was solved by an offer on my part to dispense with my boots, and my orderly, removing his shoes together with what appeared still more important, his kookri (Gurkha knife), we were laughingly admitted into the sacred precincts of the Vihar. During the discussion it transpired that the reason why no conclusion regarding my right of entry could be arrived at, was because according to report no European had ever been allowed inside the building before—in fact, it was doubtful