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

hOOTA N. 139the bank ol the Matchieu, under a large spreading tree. The valley,to a considerable distance, as far as it extended in a right Une betweenthe river and the garden wall, was as even as a bowling green, and withas fresh a verdure.The bank sustained a row of fine old trees, whosevenerable branches spread their thick foliage,to the exclusion of themeridian sun, and cast upon the margin of the river,a constant butgrateful shade. The pavilion stood supported upon high pillars, andwe ascended to it by a wooden ladder: it was commodious, light,and airy ;and we were much delighted with the pleasantness andnovelty of our situation. Immediately opposite, within the gardenwall, was a neat but small summer-house, two stories high, containingthree rooms on a floor ; and I am informed, that the Raja, when atPunukka, isvery fond of retiring hither for his recreation.Punukka isthe winter residence of the Daeb Raja, and, as we wereinformed, his favourite seat : he has lavished large sums upon it ; andIam told its decorations are much more costly, than those of any otherof his palaces. I was greatly mortified and disappointed, in not beingpemiitted to see the inside of the palace ; a stern porter kept the innerentrance ; and, in consequence of an order given during the latetumults, obstinately refused me admittance ; nor could I by any meansprevail upon him to relent.We had not the same difficulty in gainingaccess to the gardens which were extensive, and well stocked ;containingthe orange, sweet and sour; lemon, lime, citron, pomegranate,peach, apple, pear, and walnut trees, loaded with unripe fruit. Wegathered many apples ; their shape and name were recommendationsto us, but we found them coarse, harsh, and extremely ill tasted. AT