WOMEN'S FEAST 141 



Some of" the caravans travel enormous distances, one 

 going regularly to Tisliulumbo, to the westward of 

 Lhassa, and about l,-")00 miles from 'i\i-tsien-lu. They 

 are six months on the road. Indian rupees are here 

 plentiful, and are a recognised currency. Eussian 

 roubles are also found, and in increasing numbers. 



I found a very useful kind of sealing-wax here. It 

 is made from the refuse of a Tibetan dye, and does not 

 melt or bend from the heat of the weather. It is very 

 light, and of a dark brown colour. 



One day there was a women's feast at the inn- 

 what the occasion was I do not know, but about 

 twenty met, Chinese and Tibetan, all dressed in their 

 best, the former in silks and satins, with hair well oiled" 

 and cheeks painted and powdered, the latter in dark 

 woollen blouse and trousers, with boots up to the knee. 

 They all wore as much jewellery as possible, of gold and 

 silver, the latter having turcpioises and coral set in it, 

 and being roughly enamelled. The earrings worn were 

 very large, with chains hanging down, and the re- 

 mainder of the ornaments took the form of louix chains, 

 bracelets, and brooches, all being of rough maimfacture. 

 They met at about tAvo o'clock in the afternoon, and 

 appeared to enjoy themselves very much till six, when 

 they dispersed. 



In the roads, in various places near the town, large 



