The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-23

70 the Grand Lama, or ruler of Tibet.
Chandra Das in his official report TO the
Indian government at Calcutta, and
which is contained among the state rec
ords of the latter. gives a wonderfully
picturesque description or the APP
proaches to Lhassa. which, he declares,
is at lease sixty miles distant from the lat
itude and longitude assigned 10 it on the
standard maps and charts. 1t stands In
level plain surrounded on all sides by
a lofty and inaccessible range OF noun
tains, the four defies through which cou-
stitutiug the only approaches to the city
are strongly defended by forts
The city is described as encircled with
girdle of foliage formed by century old
trees. from the midst of which arises the
| lofty white houses terminating in hat
roofs surrounded by turrets, the numer-
Gus temples with their gilt canopies. and
the Potala, crowned by the magnificent
palace of the Grand Lama. and all unit
ing to constitute a majestic and impos-
ing spectacle. The Potala or palace of
the Grand Lama is situated on a rocky
emnence. rising like an island from the
plain. and il Is on the lofty terrace on
the palace that tho Grand Lama gave
audience to Chandra Das, who thus de-
scribes che event.
The Grand Lama.
THE great altar. resembling an Orien-
tai throne, and supported by lions carved
in wood, on which His Holiness, child Of
eight, sat was covered with silk scarfs of
great value A yellow klnkob of nitre
hat crowned the Grand Lama 5 head and
a yellow mantle his shoulders, and he
sac cross-lesged, with the palms OF his
hands Joined together TO bless us In my
turn ] received His Holiness benediction
and surveyed his divine fece The
princely child possessed really bright
and fair complexion with rosy cheeks. His
eyes were large and penetrating. The
cut of his face was remarkably Aryan,
though somewhat marred by the oblique
eyes. The thinness of his person was
probably owing 20 the faiigues OF the
ceremonies OF his court and the ascet,c
observances since taking the vows OF
monkhood, I pitied his exalted position,
for who knows that he will not be forced
10 undergo another transmigration before
| reaching his twentieth year,"
The Grand Lamas supremacy. both
spiritual and temporal, is acknowledged
all over Tibet his position being not
unlike that OF the Pope In the Middle
Ages He is believed TO be Buddha's
VicereseS incarnate on earth to uphold
Buddhism and to protect Tibet and is
| supposed never to die, though at times
being displeased with the sense of NOR
| tails he retires to the so-called Gah-Dan.
the Mansion of JOY. 90 reappear in the
person Of the new Grand Lama
His prime minister and principal execi-
| tive oIncer bears the title OF Dest. and n
| is the DesI who. Ike the Grand Vizier i'm
| Mohammedan countries, usually exercises
| the powers iof regency during the minor
| lty of the Grand Lama.
u,, a., - &c.,
ne DaI i1a,i'a EoVeIhtileht eN'ehns
over Populauo" OF ABOUT o,ooo'oVo' ihciuo-
ills the Ih,ha'eS OF w great inconsistencies
so'ooV inoahs aione occupying the oulin-
',,sS arounu ms Palace AZ Lhasss' ms
s.Ihui"s army uoes nov exceed o,Vo troops.
alh,eu WIN lons iha'ch'ocks OF Cnlness
nlaNe, po"s ana arro"s long knives ana
sp."ls.