252 
TIBET. 
by the inhabitants of Tibet and Bootan to every great personage who 
travels through their neighbourhood; and when their sovereign passes 
by, the custom is of course observed with extraordinary zeal and at¬ 
tention. 
Many persons on both sides the road prostrated themselves upon 
the ground, as the Regent with his retinue advanced; and when he 
drew near to Teslioo Loomboo, banners were hoisted upon the palace 
walls, and the nowbuts, trumpets, gongs h , and cymbals, conspired to 
announce his entry in their loudest tones. 
The Chinese commander, with his detachment of troops, took this 
route in preference to that by Jhansu-jeung, on his return to Lassa. 
The ground marked out for their encampment was upon the edge of 
the plain, just without the limits of the monastery, under the fortress 
of Shigatzee-jeung, and close upon the banks of the Painom-tchieu. 
Here the troops halted two days, after which they struck their tents, 
and marched away. 
I sought an early opportunity to congratulate the Regent upon his 
return, and the safe conveyance of the Lama to Terpaling. This gave 
occasion to some reflections from the Regent, full of reverence and af¬ 
fection for the late Lama, and tending to establish the identity of the 
g A sort of kettle drum. 
h A large circular metallic instrument formed by the hammer, from one and a half 
to two feet in diameter, with the edge turned up about two inches deep all round. When 
used, it is suspended by a cord passing through holes made for the purpose near the cir~ 
cumference. In order to excite an equable vibration, it is at first softly struck by the per¬ 
former upon the external ring, with a ball encased in leather at the end of a long rod ; 
the blows are afterwards repeated with stronger force, and it is then capable of pro¬ 
ducing a surprising sound. 
