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

DO O TAN. 133pinned together by large wooden pegs. This is all the fastening 1could observe ; it is secured by a neat light rail. The bridge fromthe pier to the hill, ishorizontal, and the beams rest on the pier, and ona triple row of timbers let into the bank : it has a penthouse over it,which is covered widi shingles. I'he sound state of this bridge, is astriking instance of the durability of the turpentine fir;for, without theapplication of any composition in use for the preservation of wood, ithas stood exposed to the changes of the seasons for near a century anda half, as tradition goes, without exhibiting any symptoms of decay,or suffering any injury from the weather.Our baggage arrived early in the morning, and we enjoyed, withmuch relish, a hearty breakfast.The rest of the morning was passedin a visit to the Raja, who condoled with us on the badness of theweather and toils of our journey : indeed he himself seemed not perfectlyto have recovered from his fatigue. He recommended to us,after resting awhile, to amuse ourselves, by rambling wherever wepleased.Our conversation was chiefly ingrossed by observations on thecountry, and by inquiries respecting what itmight contain worthy ourcuriosity.So little informed as these people are, on subjects of naturalhistory, I was not disappointed in receiving no satisfactory reply.These extensive ranges of mountains probably contain an exiiaustlessstore of the richest minerals; but while they continue inthe possession of a people, ignorant themselves, and unwilling topermit others to explore them, their treasures must for ever remainl;uried in obscurity.The Raja mentioned to me a medicinal hot springsomewhere in the neighbourhood ; but it was too distant, and the road