474 Mr. stewart’s Account of 
fay, that at prefent, and ever fince the expnlfion of the 
Eiuth Tartars, the kingdom of Thibet is regarded as 
depending on the empire of China, which they call 
Cathay; and there actually refide two mandarines, with 
a garrifon of a thouiand Chinefe, at Lahaffa the capital, 
to fupport the government; but their power does not 
extend far: and in fa<ft the Lama, whole empire is 
founded on the fureft grounds, perfonal affection and 
religious reverence, governs every thing internally with 
unbounded authority. Every body knows that the Delai 
Lama is the great object of adoration for the various 
tribes of heathen Tartars, who roam through the vaft 
tradt of continent which llretches from the banks of the 
Yolga to Correa on the fea of Japan, the moll extenlive 
religious dominion, perhaps, on the face of the globe. 
He is not only the fovereign Pontiff, the vicegerent of 
the Deity on earth ; but, asfuperftition is ever the ftrongeft 
where it is moft removed from its object, the more re- 
mote Tartars abfolutely regard him as the Deity himfelf. 
They believe him immortal, and endowed with all know- 
ledge and virtue. Every year they come up from dif- 
ferent parts, to worfhip and make rich offerings at his 
fhrine; even the emperor of China, who is a Mantchou 
Tartar, does not fail in acknowledgements to him in his 
religious capacity, and actually entertains at a great 
expe nee, 
