their costume a long red scarf,
which twice encircles the neck like a great collar, and the two ends of
which are thrown back over the shoulders.
The Pebouns are the only workers in metals at Lha-Ssa. It is in their
quarter that you must seek the iron-smiths, the braziers, the plumbers,
the tinmen, the founders, the goldsmiths, the jewellers, the machinists,
and even the physicians and chemists. Their workshops and laboratories
are nearly underground. You enter them by a low, narrow opening, down
three or four steps. Over the doors of all their houses, you see a
painting representing a red globe, and below it a white crescent. These
manifestly signify the sun and moon; but the particular allusions
conveyed we omitted to ascertain.
You find, among the Pebouns, artists very distinguished in metallurgy.
They manufacture all sorts of vases, in gold and silver, for the use of
the Lamaseries, and jewellery of every description that certainly would
reflect no discredit upon European artists. It is they who construct for
the Buddhist temples those fine roofs of gilt plates, which resist all
the inclemencies of the seasons, and always retain a marvellous freshness
and glitter. They are so skilful at this class of work, that they are
sent to the very interior of Tartary to decorate the great Lamaseries.
The Pebouns are also the dyers of Lha-Ssa. Their colours are vivid and
enduring; stuffs upon which they have operated may wear out, but they
never lose their colour. They are only permitted, however, to dye the
poulou. All stuffs coming from foreign countries must be worn as they
are, the government absolutely prohibiting the dyers from at all
exercising their industry upon them. The object of this prohibition is
probably the encouragement of the stuffs manufactured at Lha-Ssa.
The Pebouns are in disposition extremely jovial and child-like. In their
hours of relaxation they are full of laughter and frolic; and even while
at work they are constantly singing. Their religion is Indian Buddhism.
Although they have not adopted the reformation of Tsong-Kaba, they
respect the Lamanesque ceremonies and rites. They never fail, on all the
more solemn occasions, to prostrate themselves at the feet of the
Buddha-La, and to offer their adorations to the Tale-Lama.
Next to the Peboun, you remark at Lha-Ssa, the Katchi, or Mussulmen, from
Cashmere--their turban, their large beard, their grave, solemn step,
their physiognomy
|