P R E F A C E
In the following pages I have endeavoured to lay
before the reader an account of two journeys undertaken
in Tibet, in districts situated many hundreds of
miles apart and under diametrically opposite conditions.
The first expedition penetrated into the interior of
the uninhabited and barren regions of the Northern
Desert at a time when Tibet was rigidly closed to
foreigners. The second led through the rich and
thickly populated valleys of the Brahmaputra, and was
made with the cognisance and permission of the Lhasa
Government, though only rendered possible by the
notable success of Sir Francis Younghusband’s Mission.
The natural obstacles inseparable from exploration
in Tibet are so varied and numerous, that but little
progress would be made were it not for the aid given
by those who are interested in travel and who are
willing to render every assistance in their power. I
therefore take this opportunity of tendering my thanks to
all who have contributed to the success of the journeys
here described, and more particularly to Colonel St.
G. Gore, R.E., Mr. J. Eccles, and the Officers of the
Survey of India; Major M. Ray, D.S.O., Intelligence
Branch; and Sir Clements Markham, K.C.B., and the
Council of the Royal Geographical Society.
C G R November 1905.