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

BOOT AN. 93woollen cloths the country could supply, and in constructing curtainsas a defence against the piercing winds, that pervaded the apertures of i'the balconies. While engaged in thus guarding ourselves against thecold, in order more effectually to obviate its effects, the erection of afireplace became a matter of serious deliberation; but, before we hadfinally fixed upon the plan, and procured materials for executing it,milder weather succeeded, and induced us to drop the design ;an event,much to be regretted by the present and future race of Booteeas, who,destitute of this most necessary convenience, are obliged to haverecourse, to a very offensive way of warming their rooms. The bestcontrivance in general use, to prevent the fire, when kindled, fromcommunicating to the timbers which compose the chief part of everyhouse, is a large Hat stone. This being placed in the middle of theroom, the company range themselves round it, prepared to put upwith volumes of pine smoke, which, having no exit but by the windowsand doors, never fails by its pungency to annoy all who arepresent, and who at length partake of the same gloomy colour with the1ceilings and the walls.Our habitation, which was within a stone's throw of the palace,was extremely commodious, and well adapted to our use. We entered,by a door on the south side, into a square court-yard ; not very large,but it served to confine our cattle, and, indeed, more than we wishedto have there. The house was opposite the doorway, and filled oneside of the square ; the other three sides were enclosed by buildings,which, not being so lofty as the house by one floor, held our baggage,and accommodated all our attendants. We inhabited" the upper story,