A JOURNEY TO TIBET. 210, 



for the foundation of a temple of worfhip, and as a 

 refort for fuch pilgrims of their nation as might occa- 

 fionally make vifits to the confccrated Ganges. 



Having, in conformity to your defires, done my bed 

 endeavours literally to tranflate all the information 

 Poorungeer could give me, I have now onl v to apologize 

 for the prolixity of the account, which I have been in- 

 duced to be particularly minute in, as I conceived 

 every circumftance, however trivial, might be in fome 

 degree interefting, that tends to illuftrate any trait in 

 the national character of a people we are but recently 

 become acquainted with, and with whom, in its extend- 

 ed views, it has been an objecl of this Government to 

 obtain a clofer alliance. 



I will not now prefume to intrude longer on your 

 time, by adding any obfervations on conjectures de- 

 ducible from the elevated importance your young ally 

 feems rifing to, in confequence of the fignal refpe6t 

 paid him by the mod exalted political characters known 

 to his nation; but beg leave to repeat, that it is with 

 infinite fatisfaBion I learn from the reports of Poorun- 

 geer, the flourifhing ftate of the lately projected fcheme 

 of trade, to promote which, he allures me, not any 

 thing had been wanting in facility of intercourfe ; 

 that the adventurers who had inverted their property, 

 had experienced perfect fecurity in conducting their 

 commerce, carried their articles to an exceeding good 

 market, and found the rate of exchange materially in 

 their favor. 



Thofe advantages authorize the inference, that it will 

 no doubt encourage more extenfive enterprize ; and 

 permit me to add, I derive a confidence from the fuccefs 

 of this infant effay, that infpires me with the ftrongeft. 



R 2 hopes. 



