; "I am kind,
for kindness is the duty of a Kalon. I must be kind towards my people,
and also towards strangers." He then addressed to us a long harangue, of
which we could comprehend only a few sentences. When he had finished, we
told him that, not being much accustomed to the Thibetian language, we
had not fully penetrated the sense of his words. The Regent signed to a
Chinese, who, stepping forward, translated to us his harangue, of which
the following is the outline. We had been summoned without the slightest
idea of being molested. The contradictory reports that had circulated
respecting us since our arrival at Lha-Ssa, had induced the Regent to
question us himself, in order to know where we came from. "We are from
the western sky," we said to the Regent. "From Calcutta?" "No; our
country is called France." "You are, doubtless, Peling?" "No, we are
Frenchmen." "Can you write?" "Better than speak." The Regent, turning
round, addressed some words to a Lama, who disappearing, returned in a
moment with paper, ink, and a bamboo point. "Here is paper," said the
Regent; "write something." "In what language--in Thibetian?" "No, write
some letters in your own country's language." One of us took the paper
on his knees, and wrote this sentence: "What avails it to man to conquer
the whole world, if he lose his soul?" "Ah, here are characters of your
country! I never saw any like them; and what is the meaning of that?"
We wrote the translation in Thibetian, Tartar, and Chinese, and handed it
to him. "I have not been deceived," he said; "you are men of great
knowledge. You can write in all languages, and you express thoughts as
profound as those we find in the prayer-books." He then repeated, slowly
moving his head to and fro, "What avails it to man to conquer the whole
world if he lose his own soul?"

While the Regent and his attendants were indulging in their raptures at
our wonderful knowledge, we heard on a sudden, in the courtyard of the
palace, the cries of the crowd and the sonorous noise of the Chinese
tamtam. "Here is the ambassador of Peking," said the Regent, "he wishes
to examine you himself. Tell him frankly what concerns you, and rely on
my protection; it is I who govern the country." This said, he quitted
the saloon with his retinue through a small secret door, and left us
alone in this judgment-hall.

The idea of falling into the hands of the Chinese made at first a
disagreeable impress