TIBET. 
209 
much to their clumsy appearance, is a coat of long hair, such as 
nature seems to have denied to bears within the tropics. They are 
never shod, either here or in Bootan. 
The Tibetians are a very humane, kind people; I have, personally, 
had numberless opportunities of observing this disposition: one in¬ 
stance may be as good as a thousand. Soon after we alighted at our 
encampment, being much oppressed by a violent head-ach, I went 
to lie down in my tent, upon a carpet, and had not composed myself 
more than half an hour, when I perceived my conductor, Paima, creep¬ 
ing softly into the tent; he advanced, and searching about, found a 
surtout coat and a cloth wrapper, both which he brought and care¬ 
fully laid over me: I took no notice of what he was about, for I was in 
pain, and not inclined to speak. He went away, but a short time 
after, another Tartar came in, who, gently raising my head with his 
hand, attempted to draw away a small wooden bench, on which I 
was reclining, the place of which he meant to supply with a pillow he 
had brought for that purpose. His civility disturbed me much, for I 
had settled my covering, and accommodated myself to the height of 
the bench: but, rather than enter into a discussion, for the sake of 
quiet I was induced to permit the change ; this, however, was no dis¬ 
paragement to his good intentions, which, I am sure, were suggested 
by the genuine impulse of humanity. These circumstances made a 
lasting and favourable impression on my mind ; and, in justice to the 
national character, I take a pleasure in recording this striking instance 
of tenderness and attention, so different from the ferocity commonly 
annexed to our ideas of a Tartar. My friend will be remembered, I 
