540 
T X BE T. 
conversation then ensued, and after a while Gyeung withdrew. Gyap 
soon found occasion to commence the history of his fortunes. “ Lassa, 
said he, is my native place, my home; but some years have now 
elapsed since, vexed by hostile party, I was obliged to relinquish it, 
and come hastily away. Hence I was compelled, in my haste, to 
abandon a variety of articles, which I had collected for my amusement, 
and a fine collection that I possessed of my native arms.” He then 
enumerated to me his particular predilections, that he excelled in 
drawing the bow, delighted in martial exercises, and was well skilled in 
the management of the horse ; that he was surpassed by no one of his 
countrymen in mechanical contrivances, and that architecture also had 
been his study. “ Thus attracting their jealousy, continued he, my 
qualifications soon drew upon me the enmity of the men of Lassa-. 
They strove, by all means, to prejudice the Ambas (Chinese officers) 
against me, for no other reason, but my superiority to them, in all 
works of skill and ingenuity. Thus sorely pressed, I applied to Dalai 
Lama for his advice. He recommended me instantly to retire from 
Lassa, and seek protection from Teshoo Lama, to whom he would 
write letters in my favour.. I did so, and here I have remained ever 
since. It was once in contemplation with me, to abandon, altogether, 
my native home, and seek protection from the Governor General of 
Bengal; but it happened that my design was changed, partly by the 
advice of Teshoo Lama, and partly by apprehensions of the intempe¬ 
rate heat of India: yet, driven from my home, I was long dissatisfied 
with the prospects around me, and the strength of my predilection 
for the place where I was born, still increased with my absence from 
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