TIBET. 
257 
Stentorian strength of lungs, there should arise the most surprising dis¬ 
cord, the very counterpart of that which is produced by the vocifera- 
tions of an enraged and hostile multitude. But all this was, in fact, 
nothing more than a pious token of the most ardent zeal, a sort of 
contest for the palm, a struggle, which should do the highest honour 
to his supreme and tutelary gods. 
To the public exercises of their faith, must be added the private 
prayers in the apartments of the inferior Lamas, which are always 
accompanied by music, together with the solemn pageantry of proces¬ 
sions moving almost every day around the environs of the monastery. 
All these, taken together, soon sufficiently convinced me, that I was in 
the midst of men, who made religion the sole business of their life. 
With the errors of their opinions, or their practice, I had no con¬ 
cern. The immediate advantages resulting from them they themselves 
daily experience. Having voluntarily devoted themselves to the severi¬ 
ties and the duties of their religion, they obtain a large portion of grate¬ 
ful respect from their countrymen, whose worldly avocations exempt 
them from the same particular services. Both, united in one common 
bond of union, the one part to labour, the other to pray, enjoy in peace 
and harmony, the fruits of their industry; and find it unnecessary to 
support a single man in arms, either to defend their territory, or 
maintain their rights. Placing their sole reliance in the mediation of 
the sacred Lama, the immaculate vicegerent of the Supreme, they ima¬ 
gine, that he covers them with the broadest shield, from the encroach¬ 
ments of others; and the benign influence of his doctrines teaches them 
to be benevolent, merciful, and humane, to all around them. 
i 
