The Lapchak 253 



the High Government. Also, this year in 

 the former way we have sent this Man 

 who has to present the Lochak. Please look 

 upon him with grace and mercy, and help 

 him as formerly. Furthermore, may you, 

 who are the incomparable jewel of the vertex 

 of all the gods and men whom you are guiding 

 to heaven, be firm in your health. Send upon 

 the crown of our head your words of different 

 kinds, like the flowing of the cleansing water 

 of the four corners, please, please. 



" The presents which we lift up as a 

 prayer are a pure white scarf, a piece of 

 kimkhab, a load of apricots." 



The following is a specimen of one of the 

 letters which the Lochak brought back with him 

 from Lhassa, in the " Water-monkey year." It 

 is couched in a somewhat different strain, and 

 is addressed by the Ambans to the ruler of 

 Ladak. The Ambans, it should be mentioned, 

 are the Chinese representatives at the Court of 

 the Grand Lama : 



" Know this, that by the Lochak your 

 supplication has reached, and that which 

 according to the treaty every year has to 

 be presented to both of us great ministers, 



