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

BOOT AN. 7 3distant the place to which it is dispatched. Two colours are in usefor this manufacture, which is of China, white and red : the latter israther confined to the lower orders : the white is respectful in proportionto its purity and fineness : there are various degrees in both.Iam yet ignorant of the origin of this custom, but shall endeavour, atsome future time, to. obtain an-explanation of it.A long conversation ensued.with the Raja on tlie dress and customsof the English. He admired, and minutely examined, every part ofour clothes ; nor did the pockets least of all excite his wonder andsurprise, by presenting such a number of comprehensive and concQaledresources. He gave due. credit to the convenience of our dress, itslightness, and the liberty it left to the limbs; but I, could plainly perceivehe judged its structure defective, as differing from his own, inshewing too plainly the general outline of the body. Thus it is, thatthe less enlightened Booteea, accustomed to observe the dignity ofhuman character exist in factitious concealment, looksfor importancein exterior ornament : divest his sacred superior of tiie robe of state,and his pontifical insignia, and he would, no doubt, conclude allaathorityand religion to be entirely at an end..The Raja exercised his liincy in endeavouring to trace a resemblancebetween the natives of Bootan and Englishmen ; but there was moreof ingenuity, than trutii in the picture. Woollen cloths for raiment,meat, spirits, and tea, it is true, are in equal use amongst us; and theBooteea, like ourselves, is an utter stranger to the subtle niceties andrefined distinctions of the Hindoo, which constitute the infinitelyabsurd perplexity that results from Cast ;yet nothing can be more.