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

TIBET. 251another filled with tobacco and a pipe, togetlaer with a littlepouch fortinder, containing a piece of flint, and edged at the bottom with a barof steel.The horse he rode, was decorated with large crimson tassels,and other splendid trappings, whilst a number of bells,suspended toa collar that hung round his neck, jingled as he moved along withslow and solemn pace. The body, of the horse, from the multitudeof Chowrs, or cow tails, that hung on both sides, could scarcely beseen.The select attendants were equipped nearly after the same manner.The dress of those of more humble rank differed chiefly inthe qualityof the materials. They were clad, for the most part, in cloth, eitheryellow, or red, or striped Avith these colours, and they wore upontheir heads round hats, having large flowing tassels of scarlet silkupon the centre of the crown. Some had narrow braids a little turnedup, and others were bordered by broad bunds of fur. The mostextraordinary in appearance were those worn by the Kilmauks (Calmucs),which were of vast dimensions, Isuppose not less than two feetin diameter, with shallow crowns, but monstrous brims ; the wholecovered with long locks of wool matted together, of a gaudy yellowcolour. Some Goseins, wearing tuibans and the Indian habit, withMoguls from the borders of Persia, in their national dress, assistedalso to compose this motley group. There were none in the wholecavalcade, as far as I could perceive, who bore any kind of arms.Heapsof fire were distinguishable to a very remote distance, burning oneither side of the road, and emitting columns of thick smoke.Thesebonfires, which I have already noticed, are a murk of respect shewnKk