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

232 TIBET.Entry into Terpaling— Return of the Regent— Cavalcade — Bonjires— Chinese. — Correspondence with Dalai Lama. — Hostile Dispositionof Gesub Rimbochay.— Powerful Influence of the Court ofChina.W E had no sooner entered the apartments allotted for our accommodation,than messages of compUment and congratulation werereceived, both from the Regent, Chanjoo Cooshoo, brother of the lateLama, and Soopoon Choomboo, his cup-bearer, accompanied by awhite silk scarf from each. These attentions were quickly followedby a most ample supply of refreshments ; large vessels of warm tea,parched grain, dried fruits, and various articles of provision. Suchare the forms observed, both here and in Bootan, towards a visitor,upon his first arrival : and perhaps a weary traveller would agree withme, in thinking ita most rational mode of reception, which thus bounteouslyplaces at his feet, after the toil of a long journey, every thingthat hunger and fatigue render necessary to his relief Ceremoniousvisits, on the fiist day, are always dispensed with ; and the stranger isleft to seek refreshment and rest, without interruption.I did not omit to return, by the messenger, who waited upon me,proper acknowledgments for the polite attentions of the Regent, andSoopoon Choomboo; I sent at the same time, a white silk scarf toeach ; for this is an offering invariably attendant on every intercourseof ceremony, as well in Tibet as in Bootan.A similar piece of silk isalways transmitted under cover, with letters, even from the mostdistant places, whether they be merely complimentary, or relate to