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

TIBET. 277to pronounce, from the information I iiad lately received, that thereappeared the fairest prospect, of a speedy restoration of universalpeace.In discussing the commerce of different countries, and the numerousarticles of convenience, as well as of luxury, which one nation derivesfrom its intercourse with another, the bold spirit of enterprise that animatesthe English nation,claimed the Regent's particular admiration.Yet, atthe same time that he allowed due honour to our undauntedperseverance, he could not but attribute the motive, that imptllcdso numerous a class of Englishmen, to leave their country and theirfriends, and encounter the danger of inclement climates, and rude inhospitablemen, to some great internal defect in their own counlry.Atthe same time he was convinced, from what he had heard and seen, thatthere was not, perhaps, existing, a more ingenious people in the world.In order to account for that restlessness of disposition, which dispersesmy countrymen, over the whole surface of the globe, I was led to expatiateat some length, on the system of education, prevailing amongstus. This, I told him, was calculated perpetually to awaken genius, andcall forth peculiar talents, which might otherwise have rested for everin a torpid state, unexerted and unknown ; but which, when onceroused, and improved, would not suffer their possessors to sit down inlistless and inglorious inactivity.Hence it was, that numerous branchesof respectable families, prompted by curiosity, not less than by a desireof wealth, spread themselves over every region of the universe.I added,that our Sovereign, renowned for hislove of science, and encouragementof useful research, had, at various times, commanded ships to be