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

TIBET. 283business, called for his presence in that quarter.He said that he shouldbe but a short time absent, and, until his return, he recommended me tothe care of Soopoon Choomboo, who would be frequently with me, andattend to allmy wishes, which he enjoined me freely to communicate.Rut the kind and affectionate attention of the Regent would not sufferhim todepart, without making, what he deemed, a proper provisionfor our comfort.Previously to the accustomed ceremonies at parting,he presented Mr. Saunders and myself with complete dresses, madeafter the fashion of the country; rich satin garments lined withfurs, and huge bulgar boots.Indeed, the daily increase of cold mostforcibly reminded us, that a change of raiment would soon becomeindispensably necessary ;for so rapidly, had the winter already set in,that water placed in open vessels in our rooms, during the night, becamea solid mass of ice ;and by the exposure of cream, I obtainedevery morning a rich repast for my breakfast.Wenowrose to take our leave, and were turning to quitthe room, whenthe Regent, Soopoon Choomboo, and the Lama of Luddauk, rose also.The Regent, I was now informed, intended me the honour of a visit, previouslyto his departure.1 cannot doubt^, that curiosity had a great sharein this compliment, and I was willing to gratify it, by exhibiting to hisinspection, all the apparatus I happened to have with me, which, differingin contrivance from what I found here, was likely to attract his notice.When thiscomphment was paid us by the Regent, our apartmentswere thrown open, and upon entering them, one of the first objects thatforcibly attracted his notice and that of his attendants, was. an ironcanopied camp bedstead, with its European furniture.Oo