TIBET. 
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connections, and the watchful jealousy of the Chinese, had hitherto 
defeated every attempt of this nature. 
Some years ago the Empress of Russia, I learnt, had invited 
Taranaut Lama to a correspondence, and ambassadors had been sent 
to him with considerable presents. Among these, I saw a Bible with 
plates, in the Russian language, which they still preserved. Taranaut, 
who at that time esteemed Teshoo Lama, as the guardian of the state, 
and oracle of the Lama hierarchy, forwarded the presents, and the 
letter to him, for the purpose of receiving his advice upon so im¬ 
portant a subject. The Lama gave little encouragement to the Russians, 
yet consented to a limited intercourse; in consequence of which, the 
Russian traders have since resorted occasionally to Kharka, the place 
of Taranaut Lama’s residence, where they still carry on by their agents 
a considerable traffic. This principally consists in the sale of bulgar 
hides, which are prepared in the adjacent districts, and brought also 
from Calmuc Tartary to the same mart, where all the rich and valuable 
furs, that pass in merchandize between the Russians and Chinese, may 
be procured upon easy terms. 
Immediately after this conference, a large party of Tartars from 
Khumbak, (a tribe of Calmucs) arrived on a pilgrimage to Teshoo 
Lama, and engaged the Regent’s attention for several days. They 
brought with them a string of horses, consisting of between two and 
three hundred, furs, bulgar hides, and skins of butter, as offerings to 
the Lama, before whom, it is unusual for his votaries to appear, espe¬ 
cially when they come from any considerable distance, without pre¬ 
senting something by way of religious tribute. 
