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

in142 BOOT AN.was neat and airy, and we deemed itan inviting situation to rest ourselvesawhile.We had not been long seated, when the steward of thevilla spread before us a vast profusion of ripe and green apples,oranges, kc. Tea and whisky also made a part of the offering, andfresh curdled milk.Our host (who was very communicative) sat down,and partook with us of the potable part of his treat.When we werea littlerefreshed, he led us about the garden, and afterwards throughevery apartment in the palace : nor was he at all scrupulous inexhibiting to our view the liine display of gilded gods, that occupiedthe recesses in several rooms. Our attendant, who was an activecheerful young man about eighteen years of age, and who just beforehad been as merry as unclouded spirits and rude health could makehim, in a moment became as grave as one of the group of idols, andapproached them with devout solemnity to make his nine prostrations.This palace is similar to all those of the secondary order : its exteriorform is a square '.the centre of the liont is a quadrangularbuilding, which forms the body of the house, elevated three floorsabove the three other sides of the square, in which are containedoffices for servants, and rooms for all sorts of lumber. The entrancewas by the side of the house, through a narrow passage into the area,where a flight of wooden steps conducted us to the first floor of thecentre building- The rooms were lofty and spacious ; to some, therewere projecting balconies, whe^ice might be seen the garden, and apart of the valley ; but the prospect was limited on all sides by highmountains, a circumstance which renders Zemrigatchee rather a gloomyretreat.