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

;TIBET. 247The age of Soopoon Choomboo, at that time, did not exceed thirty.In stature he was rather low, but well proportioned, and not at allinclined to corpulency.His countenance was open and ingenuous, yethis features were unequivocally impressed withthe Tartar charactersmall eyes, thin eyebrows, high cheek bones, and without even therudiments of a beard.Arab, or a Spaniard.His complexion was not darker than that of anThough possessing an acknowledged superiority of talent,information,and influence over his countrymen, he made no parade of theseadvantages, but conducted himselfwith singular humility, mildness, andmodesty. He was not less communicative in his conversation, thanconciliating in his manners, and, as our acquaintance improved, I foundhim cheerful, and occasionally jocose.The public officeSoopoon Choomboo bore, as I have already observed,was that of Sadeek to the late Teshoo Lama. Were I to seekfor a titleanalogous to Sadeek, in our own language, by which I mightrender it intelligible to an English reader, I should be at a loss to findone of so comprehensive a signification.Though perhaps I might withsome propriety style him, from his situation in the court of the sovereignPontiff, Prime Minister, or Cardinal, yet who would expect tofind the domestic servant, in a person invested with so high a title?Noryet does, Lord Chamberlain of the Household, Master of the Ceremonies,and Master of the Robes, convey a complete idea of his dutiesand his station.The Sadeek receives and communicates the Lama's commands; he isthe immediate channel of conveying all information to him ; he makes