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

154 BOOTAN.Trusting to his own ideas of its power and effect, for the relief of somedisorder that he either feh or fancied himself affected by, he toolc,according to the directions lie had received, a moderate dose; yet^not choosing to run the risk alone, he obliged his doctor at the sametime, to try the experiment along with him. Ridiculous as it mayseem, I am assured that this is no novel practice ; for the Raja never/ itakes any medicine, but his physician is indispensibly obliged to^iswallow a dose of the same sort.The ipecacuanha he had taken, being rather tardy in itsoperation,,he repeated the quantity, Avhich soon acted most violently, and for thespace of two days, kept him in perpetual agitation.The doctor, beinga younger man, and of a stronger habit, was first relieved ; but theRaja paid dear for his cjuackery ; and when we saw him next waswoefully sick and weak.The Raja having determined, before the great festival, to retire tohis villa,situated upon the ridge of the western mountain, he invitedus to come early one morning, and pass the day there, which weagreed to ; and soon after he had left the palace, a time was fixed lorour visit.The villa lay within the distance of two miles from our house,yet,notwithstanding this short space, our expedition was marked by a misfortune,the greatest that had yet befallen us.While on the way, wewere overtaken by themournful news, that the Booteea, who was tofollow with our dining apparatus, had, previously to his taking uphis load, drank a cup too much; nor had he ascended far, beforehis strength and steadiness forsook him; he reeled, fell down, and