The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-19

to the eliminating sections OF Tue nhIIutlNe'
IN which is set forth what Mr.. Gambler saw
In Lhasa.
We should. IN the first place, bear In mind,
what In pointed out by Mr.. Gambler In an
Introductory chapter, that Tibet has not
always been closed to strangers. The ex-
per1ence Of European travellers in Lhasa
forms literature of itself. Until near the
close OF the eighteenth century only physi-
cal obstacles stood In the way OF an entry
into the Ybetan capital. Jssuts and
Capuohus reached Ihesa, nude long stays
there and were even encouraged TO make
their Journey by the Tibetan Government.
Indeed Friar Odpric OF Portenone is sup
posed to have visited Lhasa as early as
1926, but the authenticity of this record
is open TO doubt. The first Europeans
to enter the city and leave an authentic
record of their journey we're the Fathers
Grueber and d'Orvlle, who penetrated
Tibet from China in 1881 by the Shining route,
and stayed in Lhasa two months. In l7l5
the Jesuits Desiderl and Freyre reached
Lhasa; Deaderi stayed there thirteen
yoars. Four years later arrived Horace
do Ia Penna and other members of Capu-
C.ln uubHlOu, WHO blI4t q Nllhlfci anu q
hospice, made several converts and were
not finally expelled till l74o. Mr. Gambler
tolls us that when in Lhasa he sought in
vain for any trace Of these ecclesiastical
tuIldlngs The most enlightened 1ibetans
we're ignorant. or pretended to be 50. of the
fact that Christian missionaries had re-
sided in the city. In the cathedral, how
ever. our author found bell with the in
scription. tie deum laudamus.' which
probably is n relic Of the Capuchins.
The first layman to penetrate to the
Tibetan capital was the Dutchman Van
der Put;e, who arrived in 1920 and stayed
there some years, Thereafter there is no
record OF European reaching Lhasa up
TO I8li. when the achievement was per-
formed by Thomas Manning the first and
only Englishman who 10 known to have
entered the city before 1904. Manning
arrived In the retinue OF Chinese Cen
eral whose gratitude he had won by medi-
cal services. He remained in the capital
four months and during his stay made the
acquaintance of several Chinese and II
betan officials and was even presented 10
the Dalai Lama himself. who ~, Of course,
the pope of the Tbetans The influence
OF his patron, however was not strong
enough TO assure his safety in the city He
was warned that his life was in danger
and returned 10 India by the same way he
came. In lSi6 the Lazarist missionaries,
Huo and CADET reached Lhasa In the dis
guIsa Of IamBs after eighteen months
wanderings through China and Mongolia.
during which they must have suffered
much from privations and hardships as
any ira vellers who have survived to tell the
tale. They were received kindly by the
Amban Chinese ResidenD and the Tibetan
Regent: but permission TO stay was firmly
refused. on the ground that tho fathers
had come thther to subvert the religion
OF the State. Despite Che subsequent at
tempts Of several determined travellers,
none Of whom got within 100 miles Of
Lhasa, the Lazarist missionaries we're
the last Europeans 10 set foot in the city
until Col. Younghusband rode through
the Fargo Kaling gate on Aug 4. 1904.
Attention is here directed 10 the fact that
the records OF these travellers TO Lhnsa,
and of others who visited different parts Of
Tibet before the latter part of the eighteenth
century, do not indicate the existence of
any serious political obstacles to the ad-
mission Of strangers. PROFESSIONALLY. two
centuries ago Europeans might travel in
remote parts OF Asia with greater safety
than IL possible to-day. Suspicion has
naturally kept pace with encroaohment,
and the white man now inspires fear
where he used only 70 awaken interest. In
truth, the policy Of strict exclusion from
Tibet seems to have been synchronous
with Chinese ascendency. For example, a
new jealousy Of foreigners was evnced
in letter written in liza by the Regent
at Lhasa TO his subordinate. the so-called
Teshu Lama, with reference TO Boyle g
mission. at which we shall glance presently.
The Regent had heard he said, of two
Fringies being arrived in the Deb Raja' IS
dominions, with great retinue Of servants.
that the Fringies were fond Of war and
after insnuating themselves into a country
raised disturbances and made themselves
masters Of it; that. as no Fringies had ever
been admitted into Tibet, he advised the
Lama 10 find souce method Of sending
them back, either on account Of the vio-
lence OF the smallpox, or on any other
pretence.'
1t was Warren Hastings who. In the
eighth decade Of the eighteenth century,
had sent Bogle's mission to Shadntze
Boyle was cordially received by the Teshu
Lama the spiritual and temporal potentate
of a section Of Tibet and an intimate friend
ship was established between the two men.
On his return 10 India Boyle reported that
the only bar TO n complete understanding
with Tibet was the obstinacy Of the Regent
and the Chinese agents at Lhasa. who were
hnsplred from PekIn. An attempt was