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

;TIBET.S43for they use no tables here, were abundantly covered with joints ofcold meat, chiefly mutton ; some of which had been dried by frost,some boiled, and some raw.Of the two first I could eat most heartily,but Icould never conquer my prejudice against meat perfectly rawand neither the example nor the praises of my friends^ could at ailprevail upon me to partake of their favourite dish, thougii Gyap, withmuch apparent relish, picked many a raw rib, clear to the bone.Ourbeverage was cold chong, a liquor which, in this country, is nevertaken warm. A desert of dried fruits, when the meat was taken away,concluded the repast. Gyeung fed sparingly, eating only fruit; shewas restricted, she said, while suckling the Lama, from all animalfood, as well as from the use of spirits,and she complained heavilyof the deprivation.The day was far advanced, when a servant appeared with somemusical instruments.Gyap gave into my hand a flagelet, and desiredme to use it. I was unable. He then took it, and accompanied Gyeungupon the cittaur, (a stringed instrument, something resembling a guitar)and they played several pleasing airs together. At length, Gyeungaccompanied the instruments with her voice, which M'as by no meansinharmonious ; and I am not ashamed to own, that the song she sung,was more pleasing to my ear, than an Italian air. I could not butexpress myself highly gratified.Gyap regretted his inability to entertainme, with a greater variety of instrumental music, saying, thathewas obliged to leave behind him his collection, on quitting Lassa. Icould notavoid asking, by what means they acquired the variety oftunes I heard ; and how the instruments, though so different in their