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

296 TIBET.my apartment, I could see, in front, the road that leads to Bootanand Bengal : on my right, the roads to Luddauk and Cashmeer; to themines of lead, copper, cinnabar, and gold :and also by Tingri Meidanto Nipal : on my left, are the roads to Lassa and China : on the northis situated the territory of Taranaut Lama, bordering upon Russia,and Siberia, and whose influence more especially extends over theKilmauks, or hordes of Calmuc Tartars.The abruptness with which the hills rise from this plain isvery remarkable; they are all of a rocky texture, of the colour of rusty iron,and are easily shivered by the effects of the weather, into little cubicalpieces, small enough to be moved about by strong winds, which consequentlyspread them abroad, and soon produce a level at their bases.Their summits have the appearance of being scarped, or surroundedby a perpendicular parapet. No vegetation seems at this season, tocontribute to clothe them.Their singular conformation gives riseto an inconvenience, which,during the dry months of the year, from October to May, or thegreatest part of that time, must prove an extreme annoyance to the neighbouringinhabitants.These are vortexes of wind, that are incessantlyelevating larq;e columns of dust from the surface of the n;round, in differentparts of the plain, which circling in lofty spires, tillthey attainthe altitude of the hills, then seem to dissipate, and disperse themselvesin the air.Nothing else obscures the extreme purity of the atmosphere;from the dawn of light tilldarkness, not a vapour intercepts the sight,to the most distant edge of the horizon. It is a clearness bordering,upon brilliancy, which dazzles and fatigues the eye.