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

152 r. ooTAN.this old man survives, will, if he has not forgotten it,be loudly greetedwith the word k/uis^. He was one of those inoffensive, good humouredcreatures, sometimes to be met with in the lower rank ofpeople, who enliven their neighbourhood by their careless vivacity,tricks, and drollery ; and who, without an irascible particle in theircomposition, receive composedly the cuffs, and feed upon the caresses,of those whom they entertain. But, not being competent to thecomprehension of all his drolleries, we thought his visits, at last,too frequent, and we fairly frightened him from our rooms, by electricity.Never was a creature more astonished than when he receivedthe first shock : we often gave it him afterwards by surprise, till atlength he thought himself no where safe ; and a single turn of thecylinder would make him run, without stopping, till he was out alsight.Our electrical apparatus proved a most fertilefund of amusement.The quick and incomprehensible action of the electric fluid,producedfrequently a very laughable spectacle, among crowds of Booteeas,who were attracted by curiosity to our apartments. It was extremelyentertaining to communicate the shock to a large circle.Afterthe firstimpression and exclamation of astonishment, there never failedto ensue among them a hearty laugh ; each being delighted at theidea of what he supposed the other felt. By the Raja's desire, Icarried the apparatus repeatedly to his apartment, and he was muchdiverted with it. He would never venture to draw even a sparkhimself, but would occasionally call in parties to be electrified, and""Khas signifies good, excellent.