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

280 TIBET.against dwelling in houses, that they are with difficulty prevailed uponat any time to enter them.This prejudice issaid to have its foundation in a dread of their falling; an apprehension which may perhaps have originated, in remotetimes, from the calamitous effects of earthquakes. Slight concussionsare not vmfrequent, as far as I could learn, at this period, though thevolcano at the eastern point of Tartary, in the island of Analuska, issituated atso remote a distance.Another cause may indeed have contributed to instil this dread ofa fixed abode, into their minds.I mean, their fearful apprehension ofcontagious distempers, and more particularly of the small-pox ;from thevirulence of which disease, they experience the most destructive consequences; since they attempt not to apply any remedy, but leave thosewho are unhappily visited by it, entirely to chance, and to the commonoperation of unassisted nature.Hence, they have always been accustomedto seek refuge from its fatal effects by flight, and may perhaps, inconsequence, have been led to adopt a mode of life,that might enablethem, with greater facility,to change their residence in a moment.Thus large hordes of Tartars are stillfound to dwell in tents, tendingupon cattle, and placing their chief dependance upon their herds.Different preparations of milk, constitute their principal support.Theyoccasionally find some assistance from the chase, and, in spite of theirreligious prejudices, I am told, that the Hesh of cows and horses, notunfrequently contribute to relieve their wants :to this list too, mtist besometimes added the dromedary and the ass, however highly respectedamongst them for their hardiness, and patient endurance of labour.