ssion
of impure actions, but also the thinking or speaking of them; it is even
not permitted to us to listen to indecent expressions." These words
pronounced with calmness and solemnity, raised a slight blush on the face
of his excellency the ambassador of China. "I know," he said, "I know
the religion of the Lord of Heaven is holy; I know it, for I have read
its books of doctrine; he who should strictly keep all its precepts would
be a man without reproach." He made a sign to Samdadchiemba to rise;
then, turning to us, he said: "It is night, you must be tired; it is time
to take supper; you may go; to-morrow, if I want you, I will send for
you."

The ambassador Ki-Chan was quite right, it was very late, and the various
emotions which had been furnished to us in the course of the evening had
not by any means supplied the place of supper. On leaving the
Sinico-Thibetian pretorium, we were accosted by a venerable Lama, who
informed us that the First Kalon awaited us. We crossed the court,
illuminated by some red lanterns; turned on the right, to a perilous
staircase, which we ascended, prudently holding on by our conductor's
robe; then, after traversing a long terrace, in the dubious light of the
stars, we were introduced to the Regent. The large and lofty room was
splendidly lighted by butter-oil lamps, the walls, the ceiling, even the
floor, were all covered with gilding and brilliant colours. The Regent
was alone; he bade us sit down near himself on a rich carpet, and
endeavoured to express by his words, and still more by his gestures, how
deep an interest he felt in us. Above all, we clearly understood that he
was making arrangements to keep us from starving. Our pantomime was
interrupted by the arrival of a person, who left, upon entering, his
slippers at the door; it was the governor of the Cashmerian Mussulmen.
After having saluted the company, by raising his hand to his forehead,
and pronouncing the formula, "Salamalek" he leant against a column, in
the centre of the room, which supported the ceiling. The Mussulmen
governor spoke Chinese very well; and the Regent had accordingly sent for
him to act as interpreter. Immediately upon his arrival, a servant
placed before us a small table, and supper was served up to us at the
expense of the Thibetian government. We shall not say anything here as
to the Regent's _cuisine_; firstly, because our keen appetite did not
permit us to pay sufficient attention to t