428 A JOURNEY TO LAKE, 



perfons of their houfehold; a large gilt pyramid was on one fide of 

 this fcreen half concealed by a filk. veil,, and another elevated figure, 

 fomething like a fceptre on the other ; each on a large gilt Hand. 

 Lower down was a gilt cheft ; .and on ; the floor, in the fpace fronting 

 the door g was a low table on which were ranged feveral rows of brafs, 

 filver, and gilt or golden bowls containing water for the ufeofthe 

 deity ; a fmall quantity was poured into my hands, part of which I 

 drank, the reft wafhed with and threw over my head, as I was directed 

 by the officiating prieft: we had a carpet fprcad on the floor in front 

 of the deity, and immediately under a large expanded umbrella. I had 

 given a pre fent on my fir ft entrance, and afterwards added another 

 trifle for the particular life of the prieft in attendance, who defired 

 us to come forward, and examine more minutely the figure of the 

 deity, and receive a portion of his facred veftments confi fling of a ftripe 

 of a white filk gauze which was put round our necks. In returning we 

 faw mafks of leather in imitation of the heads of flags, tigers, bears, and 

 demons, worn at the celebration of fome~ great feftival, ranged on 

 (helves ; and on wooden frames, piles of meets of writing within 

 fmall planks of wood, like the boards of books without backs, lying 

 on open lattice work tables. 



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On leaving the temple we were defired to turn fome wooden cylin- 

 ders fupported on iron cylinders, in recefTcs in a wall, and to go round 

 the building feven times, a ceremony which it feems is prefcribed to 

 thofe who wifh to have an audience with the Lama after a vifit to the 

 temple. Whether this vvas mentioned merely to enhance the fanclity 

 of the place or the perfonage, or was really the cuftom,, I know not, 

 but the ceremony was interrupted after one round, and fetting the 

 whirligigs, by a me Rage from a prieft, that Amer Singh was wanted 

 ,elfewhere. He underflood the fignal, and went to a fmall door, which 



