osed
entirely of gold and precious stones. It is the custom of the Grand Lama
to receive persons who desire to receive his blessing at certain hours
of the day. For a small amount of money one is allowed to bow before
him; for a little more one may touch his garment, and receive his silent
blessing; but for the sum of twenty rupees he will speak to the person
and touch him with a little wand. The Punjaub A.B. in describing his
interview states that the Grand Lama talks in a hoarse voice which he
tries to make as much as possible like God's.

"'It was during his visit to the temple that my brother learned of the
wonderful treasures preserved there, fabulous stories being told about a
huge emerald with an ancient inscription engraved upon it,--the mystic
seal of the first Lama, which had been handed down for ages, together
with the greatest treasure of them all, known as the Elixir of Life.

"'The wonderful powder was and is used by the high priests, some of whom
are of great age. It is supposed to have been brought into Thibet by
King Srongb Tsan, during the seventh century, and that it originally
came from Nepaul.'

"'How did your brother procure it?' I asked.

"'By bribing one of the priests. My brother was wealthy, and being very
desirous of procuring some of this wonderful powder, he tried to buy
some of it. Under no circumstances, however, would they listen to him or
even allow him to see it. He succeeded, however, as I said, in bribing
one of the priests, paying him a large sum of money, several hundred
rupees, I believe, and was shown the sacred chests containing this
powder, and other treasures, including precious manuscripts and some
jewels of great value. The powder was contained in five little gold
boxes, of beautiful workmanship. While examining them they heard a door
close and the sounds of footsteps in the passageway. The priest became
very much frightened and begged my brother to replace the boxes and
manuscript at once, and was so agitated that he did not notice my
brother when he slipped one of the gold boxes into his pocket. The
person, whoever he was, passed on down the passageway, and as soon as
they dared they hurriedly left the vault. Luckily for my brother he left
Lassa with the Punjaub that evening, and never learned whether the theft
was discovered or not. Probably his powder would have done him little
good had it been so and had he been suspected.'

"'But how,' I asked, 'do you know that th