248 
TIBET. 
the arrangements necessary for the celebration of the great festivals of 
religion; he is always personally attendant on the Lama; he is his cup¬ 
bearer ; he has charge of the wardrobe; and to his immediate care is 
intrusted all the wealth of the sovereign, whether derived from the re¬ 
ligious offerings of his votaries, or from other and less sacred sources. 
He brings, and places before the Lama, all his food, and in particular, 
pours out his tea, of which it is the custom first to taste himself, in the 
presence of his master. In fact, I have been led to understand that 
Teshoo Lama receives neither food nor raiment from any other hand; 
yet still he is found to hold a very high rank in the religious order, 
which is implied by no less a title than that of Lama. 
My arrival in Tibet happened at a period of high importance in the 
annals of the state, as well in a political as a religious point of view; 
for now they had to acknowledge, in the person of an infant, their 
future sovereign, to whom also, as to their sacred pontiff, they were 
about to pay the first public tribute of homage and allegiance, and 
thereby to give currency and authority to the belief, that he was the 
regenerated, immortal mediator with the Supreme. On such an occa¬ 
sion, it will easily be conceived, that no mark of respect, no pomp or 
parade, was omitted, which, in their ideas, could possibly tend, to add 
dignity and splendour to the solemn ceremony. 
The Emperor of China, a votary of the Tibet faith, had commanded 
a military officer of high rank, with a large detachment of troops, to 
attend and escort the infant Lama; other Chinese attended, for the 
purpose of bearing his Tuckt rowan f , or moving throne ; and the 
f A Persian term, whence probably the use of this stately accommodation is derived. 
