200 turner's description 



Lama, first met with this tea in Tibet, disappointed 

 at receiving a greasy broth in lieu of the fragrant 

 infusion he had been accustomed to drink under 

 that name, he turned from it with disgust ; but I 

 must quote this elegant author's own remarks on 

 this subject : — 



" Presently a servant came, bearing a large tea- 

 pot of white metal, embossed, and highly orna- 

 mented with some other metal, of a yellow colour. 

 He approached the Raja, and then giving a cir- 

 cular turn to the tea-pot, so as to agitate and mix 

 its contents, he poured a quantity into the palm of 

 his hand, which he had contracted to form as deep 

 a concave as possible, and hastily sipped it up. 

 To account for a custom which has so little either 

 of grace or delicacy, in its observance, however 

 recommended by extensive fashion, we are obliged 

 to have recourse to the suspicions suggested in 

 remoter times, by the frequent and treacherous 

 use of poison. Hence originated a caution, in 

 which the national character of this people readily 

 disposed them to acquiesce ; and the same jealousy 

 and distrust which gave birth to its adoption has 

 contributed inviolably to preserve it to the present 

 day ; so that however humble or exalted the rank 

 of the person who introduces to his guests the re- 

 freshment of tea, the cup-bearer, which is an office 

 of the first credit, never presumes to offer it with- 

 out previously drinking some of the liquor that he 

 brings. 



