at Bhot Bdgdn in Howrah. 
79 
1890.] 
and respectful attentions shown him during his sojourn in Peking, 
where, on his arrival, he was seated on the highest cushion on the 
imperial throne on the right side of the Emperor ; the proceedings 
of the spiritual initiation through the Lama’s whispering of the 
mantra or sacred text into the Emperor’s ear after the Hindu fashion 
in the presence of Changya guru ; l and the particular interview in 
which the good Tashi Lama, true to his word, informed the Emperor 
that “ in the country of Hindustan, which lies on the borders of my 
“ country, there resides a great prince or ruler for whom I have the 
“greatest friendship. I wish you should now regard him also, and if 
“ you will write him a letter of friendship and receive his in return, it 
“ will afford me great pleasure, as I wish you should be known to each 
“ other, and that a friendly communication should, in future, subsist 
“ between you.” 
The Emperor, on hearing this roquest from the much venerated 
Lama, replied that it was a very small one indeed, “ but that this or any 
“ thing else he desired, should be complied with. He continued to 
“ inquire of the Lama what that Prince or Governor’s name was, the 
“ extent of the country he ruled over and the number of forces &c.” 
At this stage the Lama sent for his confidential Puran Gir, presented 
him before his Celestial Majesty, and desired him to answer the inqui- 
ries of the Emperor regarding the Governor of Hindustan “ as (he) 
the writer 8 had often been in his country. The writer “ then informed 
“ him that the Governor of Hindustan was called Mr. Hastings, that 
“ the extent of the country he governed was not near equal to that 
“ of China, but superior to any other he knew, and that the troops of 
“ that country were upwards of three lacks of horsemen .” 3 
On another occasion the Lama in the presence of Puran Gir remind- 
ed the Emperor that “ he had somo time before mentioned to him a 
“ prince or governor of Hindustan, called Mr. Hastings, with whom 
“ he (the Lama) held strict friendship, and repeated his wish that the 
“ Emperor should know him and hold friendly intercourse with him also 
“ by writing to him and receiving his friendly answers. Much more 
“ was said by the Lama on this subject, to all of which the Emperor 
“ replied, that he could only assure the Lama, he joined most heartily 
“ with him in what he wished, as it would give him much pleasure to 
“ know and correspond with the Governor of Hindustan, his friend ; and 
“ to convince him of his sincerity, he would, if the Lama desired it, 
“ cause a letter immediately to be written to the Governor in such 
1 The Chinese high priest. 
s Puran does not speak of himself in the first person but as ‘ the writer.’ 
8 Oriental Repertory, VII, pp. 145 — 164. 
