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

262 TIBET.coral, amber, crystal, lapis lazuli, and even beads of'humj^le ser-bu-jya''.intermixed together, and hanging in festoons.Tlie sides of the pyramid were encased with plates of solid silver.On each step that composed the structure, which gradually diminishedinbreadth and depth, from the base to the vertex, were arranged allsorts of rarities,and articles of curious workmanship, which had beenpresented at different times as offerings to the late Lama.Among these,were various costly snuft-boxes, and valuable trinkets, the tribute ofthe Emperor ; with choice specimens of China, large jars of old bluejapan, and masses of lapis lazuli, variously arranged, and disposed^according to their taste, not without considerable effect.About breast-high from the base of the pyramid, was one step considerablydeeper than the rest,in front of which were represented twolions rampant, carved in relievo, and between them was placed ahuman figure, with eyes extravagantly large and prominent; his countenancewas expressive of the most anxious agitation, and his personthrown into strange contortions :his hands were applied to a stringedinstrument, called a cittaur.Other instruments of music, hautboys,trumpets, and cymbals, were placed upon each extremity of the step,immediately before these figures ;and the intermediate space was filledwith china jars,On the rightand vases of silver and blue japan.side of the pyramid, was placed another image of theLama, as large as life,and, as Poorungheer assured me, a very faithfulresemblance of his person. It was placed in a sort of pulpit, beneatha canopy of silk, in a devout attitude, with a book before it. This''Canna, Linnai.