led by a Lama, having a wand in one hand, and in the other a casket 
or brazier of incense, suspended by three metallic chains from the end 
of a long staff, which emitted a thick smoke as the procession moved 
along. 
A powerful band of their most noisy instruments immediately fol¬ 
lowed. First were ten performers with huge trumpets, which they 
sounded, resting one end upon the ground; next followed twenty men 
with large tabors, a sort of drum about three feet in diameter, fixed by 
the side upon a pedestal, and beaten by a long elastic curved iron: 
then came twenty men with cymbals, and two with the sea shell (hue- 
cinum), here termed chaunk 
Having entered the most spacious and open street, they began to 
arrange themselves in order. The trumpets took their station upon 
the right; next them the chaunks, and then the tabors; the cymbals 
were in front. The Lama stood before the whole band, appearing, 
with his wand, to mark the time, and give them words, which all, ex¬ 
cept the instrumental performers, chanted to the music. I observed,, 
that the performance of this ceremony, continued for near half an hour, 
when they formed their line again, and bent their course, passing by 
the dwelling of Tessaling Lama, a superior of the religious order, 
towards the extreme limits of the monastery upon the north east. 
Here stood a lofty and broad, but shallow edifice, styled Kugopea, 
filled, as I was informed, with portraits of the sovereign Lamas, and 
with other sacred subjects appertaining to their mythology; and so¬ 
lemnly dedicated to the festive celebration of some mystic rites of their 
religion. From this place, after a short pause, the procession moved 
