226 Relics of the Catholic Mission in Tibet. [Aug. 



virtue of which the Mission, after its expulsion from Lassa, was esta- 

 blished at Patan, in the valley of Nepal, under the late or Newari 

 dynasty of that kingdom. 



The original deeds are inscribed on copper, and they were put into 

 my hands recently by Doctor Hartman, the Catholic Bishop of Patna, 

 (who is also superior of the Nunnery here,) with the observation that, 

 though frequently shown to learned Pandits and Europeans, the Mission 

 since its ejection from Nepal had never been able to gain the least 

 inkling of the meaning of these documents. The fact is that the deeds 

 are in the Newari language, or that of the aborigines of the great valley 

 of Nepal proper ; and, as I believe the Society possesses no sample of 

 that tongue, I fancy that the two transmitted may be acceptable, though 

 interlarded with a deal of Sanscrit ; the circumstances of the case giving 

 the deeds an interest for Europeans, which most of them in India will 

 probably recognise. I am glad to hear that the books forwarded to 

 His Holiness the Pope have been graciously accepted, and I apprehend 

 that transcripts or printed copies of the present communication will be 

 likely to prove an acceptable addition to those singular relics of the once 

 famous Christian Missions of China and High Asia. 



I have the honor to be, 



Sir, 

 Your most obedient servant, 



B. H. Hodgson. 





