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

TIBET. 241was setthe same kind of cup, which, I remember, the Daeb Raja toldme, in his dominions, none but the Raja, or one of the three Lamas,could presume to use. This I notice, not only as being one amongtheir sumptuary laws, but also as an evidence of their disposition tomanifest very high respect, as well as civility, in their attentions tous. In shape and size this cup is somewhat similar to a China pintbason ; but a round hollow pedestal proceeds from beneath, sufficientlylong, to be grasped within the hand, and upon which it willstand upright without support. It is made of the finest porcelain,extremely thin, and purely white, and isstamped on both sides withthe impression of the dragon, the imperial emblem, which is visibleonly, like the water mark in bank paper, on close inspection, at a smalldistance. Previously to our taking leave, trays of tea, sugar, skins ofbutter, and dried fruits, consisting of raisins^ dates, apricots, andalmonds, with some others that I had never before seen, the produceof China and eastern Tartary, were severally presented to us. TheRegent gave me many injunctions to communicate all my wants to theperson, whom he had directed to attend upon us. We each receiveda scarf from his own hands, and withdrew, having every reason tobe gratified with our reception, which I considered as attentive, andflattering, in the highest degree.Iwill now endeavour to give some idea of the Regent's person andmanner.In stature he was of the middle size, rather of a broad make,but not incHned to corpulency. He had a short wide face, with thenose a little turned up, small black eyes, and high cheek bones.Though he was by no means handsome, yet there was an agreeable