284 
TIBE T. 
The commodiousness of bedsteads, in elevating bed furniture from the 
ground, is totally unknown amongst them; it being their general cus¬ 
tom to spread, by way of bed upon the floor, a thick mattress, con¬ 
sisting of two cushions, the upper surface of both being joined by a 
cloth covering, which, when they rise, admits their being folded upon 
each other; by day, it serves them for a seat-. Travellers usually carry 
this accommodation with them; it is thrown down upon the ground 
when they wish to rest; and it may literally be said to be their custom, 
when they mean to travel, to take up their bed and walk. A variety 
of mechanical, mathematical, and optical instruments, which I had 
with me, attracted the attention of my visitors, by their novelty, or 
their use. 
It was matter of great astonishment to them to view, through a good 
reflecting telescope, remote objects, not visible to the naked eye, and 
to distinguish even their figure, size, and colour. While a part of my 
company was engaged in inspecting the new and uncommon objects 
which had attracted their notice, the young Lama of Luddauk, with a 
good-natured and arch air, seized me by the hand, and, turning up the 
palm, attentively surveyed the lines described on it. I submitted to 
his examination, with no very serious apprehension from his profound 
knowledge of the occult science of palmistry ; and he had too much 
urbanity to tell me any, but the best of fortunes. 
My camp table, and the preparations made for dinner, had a due share 
of their notice ; nor could this excite wonder, since the European manner 
of serving meals, differs so essentially from their own. It is altogether 
unusual among them, as far as I can learn, for numbers to assemble 
