WOMEN’S FEAST 141 
Some of the caravans travel enormous distances, one 
going regularly to Tishulumbo, to the westward of 
Lhassa, and about 1,500 miles from Ta-tsien-lu. They 
are six months on the road. Indian rupees are here 
plentiful, and are a recognised currency. Russian 
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 turquoises 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 long chains, 
bracelets, and brooches, all being of rough manufacture. 
They met at about two 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 
