TIBET. 
237 
other, immediately opposite, stood the throne of the lateTeshoo Lama, 
placed in a recess, elevated about five feet above the floor, surmounted 
with cushions of yellow satin, and decorated with hangings on each 
side, of various coloured silks, and rich brocades. At the foot of the 
v 
throne were thin tapers, of the composition which they burn as incense 
in their temples, and vases filled with aromatic woods, which, con¬ 
suming slowly, with their smoke powerfully perfumed the hall. From 
this seat, we were informed the Teshoo Lama was accustomed to dis¬ 
tribute justice, and confer his solemn benediction upon the people. 
Advancing to the upper end of the hall, we found the Regent, and 
Soopoon Choomboo, each of them habited in the religious dress, and 
seated under the colonnade, upon the left hand side of the throne, on 
elevated seats raised with satin cushions. White silk scarfs, according 
to the established custom of the country, were presented by us, which 
they received without quitting their seats. I then delivered the Go¬ 
vernor General’s dispatches into the Regent’s hands, with a string of 
pearl and coral, whilst the rest of the presents were placed before him. 
Two raised seats of cushions had been prepared, towards which the 
Regent waving his hand, with a very significant look, directed us to 
be seated. I then thought it proper to address him nearly to the fol¬ 
lowing effect. 
“ The few things I have the honour of offering to your acceptance, 
the Governor General, Mr. Hastings, has sent to you as tokens of his 
friendship and esteem, and with an earnest solicitude to preserve and 
cultivate the amicable intercourse, that had so happily commenced 
between you. This correspondence, in its earliest stages, had been 
