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

556 T 1 B r T.conducted himself with astonishing dignity and decorum. His complexionwas of that hue, which in England we should term ratherbrown, but not without colour. His features were good ; he had smallblack eyes, and an animated expression of countenance ;altogether, Ithought him one of the handsomest children Ihad ever seen.His mothei-, who stood by him, appeared to be about twenty-fiveyears of age ; she was low in person, but rather handsome, thoughpossessing a true Tartar countenance.Her complexion was somewhatdarker than her son's ;she had regular features, black eyes, and a characterthat particularly distinguishes ladies of rank in Tibet ;the cornerof the eyelids being extended as far as possible, by artificial means,towards the temples.Her hair was black, but scarcely visible, fromthe vast profusion of ornaments that nearly covered it, consisting ofpearls, rubies, emeralds, and coral. Pearls intermixed with beads ofgold, and some rubies, constituted the ornaments of her ears.Chapletsof larger gems hung round her neck, among which were balassrubies, lapis lazuli, amber, and coral in numerous wreaths, one chapletbeneath the other, descending to the waist. Her vest was closebuttoned round the neck. A girdle embraced it round tlie waist,which was fastened by a golden buckle, having a large ruby in thecentre. A garnet-coloured shawl, wrought with white stars, completedher dress, which descended to the knee ; she wore bulgar boots.Gyap, the father of the Lama, was dressed in a yellow satin garment,wrought with gold,and emblazoned with the imperial dragon.Our conversation was extremely limited;the Lama's father said, thathe had instructionsfrom Teshoo Loomboo to entertain me four days,