THE

CALCUTTA

CHRISTIAN OBSERVER.

(New Series.)

No. 11.-NOVEMBER, 1840.

I.-Wei-Tsang too sheih, or Tibet in a series of maps and descriptions: four volumes. Reviewed by a Correspondent.

The following intelligent and interesting article on Tibet has been selected from the Chinese Repository for May, 1840. The amount of information it contains in reference to a country with the history and manners of which we are so imperfectly acquainted and concerning which so few amongst us are capable of affording such accurate information, will be an ample apology for inserting an extract of such length in the pages of the Observer.-ED.

Considering that Klaproth, the indefatigable critic, has already passed his opinion upon the above work, and that moreover the voluminous priest Hyacinth, late of Peking, amongst his herculean labours, has translated the whole, a poor pigmy writer has very little chance of saying any thing new. A Transylvanian has ransacked the literary treasures of that secluded country, and a gigantic German has carried several camel-loads of manuscript to Russia and Prussia, so that the world has enough upon the subject of Tibet, even if the above production had never been written. As for ourselves, though little versed in the art of decrying the labors of others, we nevertheless really think, that there would no serious loss have been occasioned, if the present essay had been burnt, before it was printed. Being, however, nolens volens, put to the task, we shall try to enter the territory of the great lama with a light heart, and, with our guide in our hands, look a little about us, to cull here and there a flower, and say as much as our ignorance will permit. This is to be the preface to our review of the work in question.

Now we should on the very outset take the bull by the horns and begin to detail the topography, ethnology, and statistics, of the said country; unfortunately, however, all this has already been written, and we must hold ourselves responsible to say something new. We therefore commence with the most striking natural object that this country contains. It is, according to Buffon's and Cuvier's classification, a non-descript,. there existing only one other of its species, at the city Miako, in Japan. It is a biped, the characteristics of which are sulky arrogance, sloth,

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sensuality, bigotry, deceit, craftiness, perverseness, stupidity in many respects, &c. We are fully aware that this descriptiou falls short of the original, and that it is by no means technical; but the reader must take this for want of a better one, our limited capacities not allowing further exploration. We do not know the name naturalists have given to it, but common people call it the dalaï lama.

The first knowledge of this creature was, if we mistake not, conveyed by some Franciscan, during the middle ages, to Europe, and created there a great sensation, so that many began to believe that it was the identical Prester John, of glorious memory. On nearer examination, however, it proved to be something particular in itself, and an after acquaintance with the language of Han gave us a clearer insight into the nature of this wonderful being, which is said never to die.

During the administration of the celebrated Hastings, the rájá of Bútan, from some whim or other, considered a tract of land, which separates his territory from that of the English company, as a just object of spoil, and therefore occupied a part of the same. Though this tract was of no use, being not only an unhealthy spot, but likewise very sterile, still the governor would not permit a dangerous precedent of encroachment to pass unnoticed, and therefore sent a small detachment of sipáhís to drive away the Bútanese borderers. In this attempt they completely succeeded, but their ranks were thinned by the pestilential climate of those regions, and they were glad to retreat. In the meanwhile the teshoo lama, the regent for the dalaï lama, becoming alarmed for the safety of his territory, dispatched, in 1774, a letter to the governor. This is a document in which the oriental modes of expression are so little retained, that we much suspect the translator's having improved upon the original. Still we shall quote a few passages of this letter, to give the reader some idea of the sentiments that actuate the grand lama, whom we have thus unceremoniously introduced to his notice.

"The affairs of this quarter flourish in every respect. I am night and day employed in prayers for the increase of your happiness and prosperity. Having been informed, by travellers from your country, of your exalted fame and reputation, my heart, like the blossoms of spring, abounds with satisfaction, gladness, and joy. Neither to molest, nor persecute, is my aim; it is even the characteristic of our sect to deprive ourselves of the necessary refreshment of sleep, should an injury be done to a single individual; but in justice and humanity, I am informed you far surpass us. I have been repeatedly informed, that you have engaged in hostilities against the Deh Terria (the Bútan chief, who committed the outrages on the frontiers). It is as evident as the sun, that your army has been victorious; and that if you had been desirous of it, you might, in the space of two days, have entirely extirpated him, for he had no power to resist your efforts. But I now take upon me to be his mediator; therefore from a regard to our religion and customs, I request you will cease from all hostilities against him, and it will be necessary, that you treat him with compassion and clemency. As to my part, I am but a fakeer, and it is the custom of my sect, with the rosary in our hands, to pray for the welfare of all mankind, and especially for the peace and happiness of the inhabitants of this country."

The council, considering the contiguity of Tibet to China, hoped to open, by entering into an alliance with the former, a new outlet for trade to the celestial empire, by a route not obviously liable to the same suspicions as those with which Chinese policy had armed itself against all consequences of a foreign access by sea. The grand plan to be executed, therefore, was, to cross the Himalaya mountains, then traverse the inhospitable regions of Tibet, afterward to wend the way, according to cir

cumstances, either through the mountainous districts of Kokonor, or the desert of Kobi, in order to reach the central empire, without suspicion! This is certainly one of the most magnificent, we may add elevated plans, ever conceived by any council, that sat to deliberate about commercial affairs.

An envoy was, therefore, immediately dispatched to Desheripgay and Teshoo Lomboo, to the said teshoo lama. The gentleman employed in this important mission was of great suavity of manners, and so ingrati. ated himself with that high personage, that he even trusted him with a considerable remittance in money, for the purpose of building a temple and dwelling-house, for the accommodation of the lama's votaries, on the banks of the Ganges; and a piece of ground was accordingly bought and appropriated for this purpose. The lama's letter to the governor remarked, that, although in the different periods of his reviviscense he had chosen many regions for the places of his birth, yet Bengal was the only country in which he had been born twice; for which reason he had a predilection for it beyond any other, and was desirous of making it a place of abode, apparently esteeming the sanctity of the Ganges, as a consideration of inferior importance. This being a very considerate request, gave rise to the most buoyant hopes, that the grand object of this correspondence might soon be realized. Mr. Bogle, the former envoy, finally obtained, 1779, a promise frrom the lama, that he would procure for him a passport from the great emperor, and that he might then go round by sea to Canton, and subsequeutly join him at Peking.

We must now talk of more important matters. Though the lama worship, or rather Shamanism, was never introduced into China as a peculiar creed, it still existed on the frontiers of Szechuen, and Budhism being a modification of the same, some relationship was kept up between Tibet and China. The Mantchous, on conquering the country, had no settled religious notions; but there appeared a leaning towards the superstition of the Mongols. This was a signal for the lamas to revisit the court of Peking, and as future circumstances led to a political union between the two countries, they were the most favored priests. Even during the enlightened reign of Kanghe, they numbered many warm votaries amongst the highest personages of the court, and especially the females, who on that account showed great aversion towards the Jesuits. Perhaps it was also policy induced the government to favor these fanatics, in order to attach the Mongols by religious ties. Keenlung, renowned in Europe as a warrior and poet, something in the way of Frederic the Great of Prussia (though the latter fought the battles himself and gained his own laurels) had also his weak hours. Having heard of the great odour of sanctity in which the said teshoo lama stood, he invited him in the most pressing_manner to come to his capital. This wonderful personage deferred, however, his journey, until the monarch assured him, that he looked upon him as the first and most holy being on earth, and that the only remaining wish he now felt was, to see him and to be ranked amongst his disciples. Preparation had also been made to receive him on his journey, and the letter that assured him of the most magnificent treatment, was also accompanied by a present of a string of pearls and one hundred pieces of silk. And thus flattered by the marked attention of the first prince in Asia, the lama set forth on his journey in 1779, with about 1500 troops and followers. He did not travel as a mere vassal, but as a sovereign prince. Wherever he halted on the road, a platform was erected, covered with a rich brocade, and a cushion on which he sat, whilst the people were admitted to the honor of touching his foot with their foreheads, as in Rome people kiss the pope's toe.

The Kalmucks, who belong to the most enthusiastic followers of the lama, came to the number of five thousand to escort him to the capital, bringing with them rich presents, and showing to their religious chief the most unbounded veneration. At all the principal stations, the imperial troops were drawn out, and the honors shown to this poor mortal would have set the strongest mind swimming with pride and conceit. The greatest favor the lama could bestow was to imprint with his hands, dipped in saffron, some paper, which his votaries brought to him for that purpose in great quantities. Part of the journey led him through the newly acquired territory of the Kalmucks, and his suffering on account of the severity of the climate seems to have been very great. But the lama was everywhere cheered by the most marked attention of the chiefs. Scarcely had the last commander of the Tartars left him, making him a present of 3000 horses, 70 mules, and 100 camels, when the emperor's own brother, who held the rank of king, was commissioned to receive him on the frontiers of Kansuh province, and his entrance into the celestial empire was marked by the most magnificent presents. Keenlung seems to have been exceedingly liberal, and a present of from 30,000 to 100,000 taels at the various stages was a mere trifle. His progress towards the capital was like that of a warrior, receiving the honors of a triumph from a grateful country. One of the princes of the blood met him half way, and another conducted him to Peking. Now mark the difference of reception from that experienced by any other barbarian. Along the whole line leading to the pleasure gardens of Jeho, soldiers had been posted, between whom the lama passed accompanied by the princes. The emperor met him at a distance, and immediately, stretching forth his hand and taking hold of the_lama's, led him towards the throne, where, after many salutations and expressions of affection and pleasure on both sides, the lama was seated by the emperor upon the uppermost cushion, with himself, and at his right hand. Much conversation ensued, and the emperor was profuse in his questions and inquiries, respecting the lama's health, the circumstances of his journey, and the entertainment he had met with upon the road. After he had been presented with 100,000 taels of silver, and many hundred pieces of curious silk, these high personages separated. On the next day many princes and nobles were assembled, and the monarch seated the priest on his right hand, to evince to the whole court the great consideration in which he held his illustrious visitor. After some indifferent conversation, the emperor then communicated his wishes more at large, with respect to the desire he felt of being instructed in some mysteries of the lama's religion. They accordingly withdrew, in company with one of the teachers, to another part of the palace, where three seats were prepared; the one in the centre was larger than either of the others in extent, and was considerably higher; upon this the lama seated himself, placing the emperor on the lower one, standing to the right, and the teacher on the left. The lama then bending his head towards the emperor, whispered in his ear for about a quarter of an hour, and then seating himself upright began to repeat aloud certain tenets, which the emperor and the teacher recited after him, and in this manner each sentence was spoken over and again, until both had caught the sound, This ceremony lasted about three hours, during which time all the attendants were kept at a distance in the outer apartments, whilst some devout men were occasionally called in at certain intervals, for the sake of performing ceremonies.

After four days, the lama waited on the emperor at his palace. The entertainment being over, he rose to ask a favor from the autocrat. The emperor then turning to the lama, desired he would speak without

ceremony, when the lama proceeded thus to inform him: "In the country of Hindostan, which lies on the borders of my realm, there resides a great prince or ruler, for whom I have much friendship. I wish you should know and regard him also, and if you will write him a letter of friendship, and receive his in return, it will afford me great pleasure, as 1 wish you should be known to each other, and that a friendly communication should in future subsist between you."

The great emperor seems therefore to have been anxious to be instructed, and the manner in which this process was carried on is certainly deserving of our admiration. Behold this Keenlung, the sage and poet. a disciple of the lama! But whilst enraptured with this spiritual acquisition, the greatest political alliance is proposed to him. It had been agreed upon, that the former British envoy to the lama should proceed to Canton and wait there, until passports should be forwarded to him, by the interest of his patron. The emperor most readily granted all that had been asked, and also inquired about the country where the friendly governor was living, making at the same time several other pertinent questions.

The august personages now sped towards Peking, and there all the princes of the blood assembled to receive a blessing. On these occasions, the lama did not at all rise from his seat, but laying his hands upon the head of the votary he repeated a prayer. The noblemen, who likewise thronged to participate in this spiritual honor, were not so fortunate as to receive the immediate blessing from the priest, with his bare hand, but he carefully wrapped a piece of yellow silk around the same, and thus communicated his spiritual gifts. It had now become quite fashionable to receive the benediction of the great man, and even the ladies in the imperial palace were seized with the desire of going through this form. When therefore the lama happened to be on his visit to all the celebrated gardens of the imperial palaces, an intimation was sent to him, that it was the monarch's wish that he should meet the inmates of the harem. Being placed opposite a door of their apartment, upon an exalted seat, a screen of a yellow kind of gauze being dropt before the door, the ladies approached it one by one, and having just looked at the lama through the gauze, each according to her rank and abilities sent her offering by a female servant, who delivered it to one of the lama's religious compa nions, who were allowed to continue near him. The present being deli vered, and the name announced, he repeated a prayer or form of the blessing for each, all the time bending his head forward, and turning his eyes directly towards the ground, to avoid all possibility of beholding the women. This ceremony took up four or five hours.

On this visit he saw many extraordinary things. Amongst others, a throne which has the intrinsic virtue, that whosoever seats himself upon it, will always pronounce a just sentence. Then he saw the splendid tem ples erected in honor of his superstition, and in one of them he found bell, which was said to weigh 20,000 maunds, and to require one hun. dred men to ring it. To do this, however, is never attempted, except in order to call the people to arms, in case of an invasion or insurrection, or at public thansgivings for victory. Thus we may now expect that it will soon be put into requisition.

The time passed on most agreeably, being spent in pleasure excursions and in visits to the temples, where both these illustrious personages worshipped the idols, considering the adoration thus paid as the most splendid display of devotion. The lama had also an opportunity of seeing the empress, and again brought forward the earnest request of opening some communication with the governor of Bengal. Both agreed that a letter should be written for this purpose, which the lama himself