New-York tribune., 1900-07-15

ueh Land and were driven back
they turned their steps in the direction of the
Sacred City Of Lhassa In fact the only definite
information which the outer world possesses Of
the country has been obtained by the British
Indian Government. which has employed care
fully trained native agents and officials to map
out and describe countries inaccessible and
closed to white explorers.
one OF the most successful of these native
agents is a of the name of Sarat Chandra
Das, member of the Educational Department
at Calcutta, who thanks to his knowledge of
the Thibetan language and to his friendship
with one of the Llamas, whom he had met at
some Buddhist shrine in Northern India, was
able not only to enter the metropolitan prov
lnce OF Lhassa but even to penetrate the Holy
City itself and to pay his respects TO the
Grand Llama ruler OF Thbet. Chandra Das,
in his official report TO the Indian Government
at Calcutta, which is contained among the State
records. gives wonderfully picturesque de
scription OF the approaches to Lhassa. which he
declares is al least sixty miles distant from the
latitude and longitude assigned to it on the
standard maps and charts Il stands in level
plain, surrounded on all sides by a lofty and
inaccessible range of mountains. the four de-
files through which constituting the only ap-
proaches to the city. are strongly defended by
forts. The city is described as eucircled with
q girdle of foliage formed by century old trees,
from the midst Of which arise the lofty white
houses. terminating in fiat roofs surrounded by
turrets, the numerous temples, with their gilt
canopies. and the Potala, crowned by the mag
nificeut palace of the Grand Llama, all uniting
to constitute a majestic and imposing spectacle.
RECEIVED BY THE GRAND LLAMA.
The Potala. or palace Of the Grand Llama, Is
situated on q rocky eminence, rising like an
island from the plain, and il is the lofty ter
race of the palace that the Grand Llama gave
audience to Chandra Das, who thus describes
the event:
The great altar. resembling an Oriental throne.
and supported by lions carved in wood, Oh which
His Holiness a child OF eight, sat was covered
with silk scarfs OF great value yellow h.nkob,
or mitre hat covered the Grand Lama's head.
and yellow mantle ms shoulders. ana ne Sat
cross legged with the palms of his hands Joined
together TO bless us IN my turn received His
Hollness's henedIctlon and surveyed ms cltlh"
face The princeIy child possessed really
bright and fair complexion, with rosy checks
His .yes large ana penetrating he cut
of his face was remarkably Aryan. though
somewhat marTei by the obli4ue eyes. The
tbinuass of his Irrson was probably o,ring to
the fatigues of the ceremonies of his court and
the ascetic Observauces since taking The VOWS
of Iuoukhood. I pitied his exalted position. for
who knows that ne VIII not be forced TO under
90 another transmiSration before reaching his
twentieth year
The Grand Llama's supremacy, both spiritual
and temporal is acknowledged all over Thibet,
his position being not unlike that of the Pope
the Middle Ages He is believed to be
BUddha's Vicegerent incarnate earth TO up
hold Buddhism and 10 protect Thibet, and is
supposed never 70 die though times being
dispeased with the sins OF mortals. ne Tetires
10 the so-called Gah-D Dan. the Mansion OF JOY.
10 reappear II the person Of the new Grand
Llama. His Prime Minister and principal exec
utive officer bears the title OF "Desi," ?nd it IS
the Des who like the Grand Vizier IN Mahom-
etan countries usually exercises the powers OF
regency during the minority of the Grand
Llama.
CHOOSING THE RULER.
The rulership Of Thibet is not hereditary. tut
elective, When the Grand Llama retires to the
Mansion OF Joy-that is to say, when he dies
the names Of all male children born Immediately
after his death are Iaii before the Desi. OF
Prime Minister. who chooses about dozen cut
Of the number The names Of these are placed
in a golden casket and then the abbots Of the
great rnonasteries assemble and after week
of PRAYER draw lots The child whose lame IS
first drawn is the future Grand Llama, and the
Desl acts a. regent until ne attains his
majority The present Grand Llama, a far
stronger man in character and IN physique
than any Of his predecessors holds the reins
Of government in his own hands, and the Desl
is merely the Premier. Next in rank 10 the
latter are the Chasag. or Keeper Of the state
Seal and the two DechanEpas, or Treasures.
7-aez- ar. assisted by five Ministers Of state.