252 Sport and Life in the Further Himalaya 



treasurer with an enormous bunch of keys, 

 and the tea - maker with his huge teapot of 

 copper and silver on the saddle in front of him. 

 The mission carry credentials with them in 

 the shape of letters from the Wazir of Ladak 

 to the civil and ecclesiastical dignitaries of Gartok, 

 Tashi Lunpo, and other important places on the 

 road, as well as to those of Lhassa. The style 

 of these is humble, not to say abject. Here is 

 a specimen, addressed to the Panchen Eimpoche 

 of Tashi Lunpo : 



"To the lotus-ornamented golden throne 

 of the most high, all -knowing, all -seeing 

 Panchen, the jewel of the vertex of all gods 

 and living beings, the saviour without equal. 

 The pious beg to submit with reverence. 

 Now as you are like the great lord who 

 has on his head all the different deities, 

 and who reaches unto the periphery of the 

 sea, and as you are the incarnation of the 

 great god to living beings, being firm like 

 a diamond, and having the wisdom of the 

 three secrets. Along with the returning 

 Lochak, as stated in the letter sent by you, 

 arrived the presents a godly garment, fine 

 cloth, one piece. That was a great, great 

 favour. And have the white mind to help 



