194 DESCRIPTION OF A 



with which even their saddles were decorated. 

 The fair Amazons," adds Timkowski, " approached 

 us without timidity, and condescended to honour 

 us with their notice." # 



During the sojourn of the embassy at Ourga, on 

 one of their excursions they met with a party of 

 Bucharians with 140 camels, on their way from 

 Ourga to Ouliassoutai with brick tea. (Vol. i. 

 p. 121.) On others, a caravan with 200 carts; 

 and again, belonging to another, he saw 400 oxen 

 grazing in the steppes. These latter were mer- 

 chants, natives of Shansy, carrying fine tea for the 

 Russian market. The coarse kinds he states to be 

 carried during the winter [?] on camels. And as 

 they drew near to Peking, all the way from Sue-hoa- 

 foo, distant about 340 ly, they constantly met with 

 caravans of camels laden with brick tea. 



Timkowski describes a fete which took place on 

 the banks of the Orchon near Ourga in the year 

 1729, which description I here cite, because it is 

 not only interesting in itself, but as exhibiting 

 how much this brick tea enters into the economy 

 of Mongolian and Tibetan life. In fact from its 

 universal use, it is sometimes employed as a circu- 

 lating medium, or currency. The occasion here 

 alluded to happened during the celebration of the 

 manifestation [of the Deity in the person] of a 

 new Koutouktou or Grand Lama. After receiving 



• 



* Embassy to Peking, vol. i. p. 75. 



