An Embassy to the Court of the Teshoo Lama in Tibet - Prajna Quest

6GBOOTAN.afterwards effectually proved, by what occurred to my own observation,and this too ina way highly honourable to the religious zealof this people, which, in the performance of any prescribed duty, will•Anever admit of interruption.Early on the morning of Tuesday the 3d of June, a messenger cameto me, with notice that the Raja proposed receiving us in the course ofthat day. We accordingly made the necessary preparations, and atthe appointed hour, with Mr. Davis, Mr. Saunders, and all our attendants,Iproceeded to the palace, which we entered about noon, tothe evident astonishment of multitudes, who had filled the balconies,crowded about the doors, and occupied the avenues, to gaze at theirstrange visitors. We were first conducted to a large apartment, on thewest side of the great square of the palace, where the three principalofficers, Zoompoon*, Zoondonier '', and Zempi"^, had assembled toreceive us. Here we rested until Zoondonier, who went to announceour arrival, returned to usher us into the presence of the Daeb, Wefollowed him, the other officers with many Zeenkaubs accompanyingus, through several passages, and up a number of lofty ladders, whichconnect the different floors, till at length we arrived at the elevatedstation occupied by the Raja, near the summit of the citadel.After a short pause upon the landing place, the door was thrownopen, and we wei-e ushered into a small, but well proportioned room,having on the west side an arched balcony with sliding curtains, beingthe only aperture for theadmission of light, immediately opposite to* Commandant or keeper of the castle of Tassisudon.''Treasurer.• Cup-bearer to the Daeb Raja, and master of the ceremonies.