ttracting to Lha-Ssa an
infinite number of strangers, render the place a rendezvous of all the
Asiatic peoples; so that the streets, always crowded with pilgrims and
traders, present a marvellous variety of physiognomies, costumes, and
languages. This immense multitude is for the most part transitory; the
fixed population of Lha-Ssa consists of Thibetians, Pebouns, Katchis, and
Chinese.

The Thibetians belong to the great family which we are accustomed to
designate by the term Mongol race; they have black eyes, a thin beard,
small, contracted eyes, high cheek-bones, pug noses, wide mouths, and
thin lips; the ordinary complexion is tawny, though, in the upper class,
you find skins as white as those of Europeans. The Thibetians are of the
middle height; and combine, with the agility and suppleness of the
Chinese, the force and vigour of the Tartars. Gymnastic exercises of all
sorts and dancing are very popular with them, and their movements are
cadenced and easy. As they walk about, they are always humming some
psalm or popular song; generosity and frankness enter largely into their
character; brave in war, they face death fearlessly; they are as
religious as the Tartars, but not so credulous. Cleanliness is of small
estimation among them; but this does not prevent them from being very
fond of display and rich sumptuous clothing.

The Thibetians do not shave the head, but let the hair flow over their
shoulders, contenting themselves with clipping it, every now and then,
with the scissors. The dandies of Lha-Ssa, indeed, have of late years
adopted the custom of braiding their hair in the Chinese fashion,
decorating the tresses with jewellery, precious stones, and coral. The
ordinary head-dress is a blue cap, with a broad border of black velvet
surmounted with a red tuft; on high days and holidays, they wear a great
red hat, in form not unlike the Basquebarret cap, only larger and
decorated at the rim with long, thick fringe. A full robe fastened on
the right side with four hooks, and girded round the waist by a red sash,
red or purple cloth boots, complete the simple, yet graceful costume of
the Thibetian men. Suspended from the sash is a green taffeta bag,
containing their inseparable wooden cups, and two small purses, of an
oval form and richly embroidered, which contain nothing at all, being
designed merely for ornament.

The dress of the Thibetian women closely resembles that of the men; the
main difference