position, :we càn obly have.a-eeOursè to fair eonjectureUand there»is
reasdnto'hopethat the natural revolution of human affairs, together
with the probable course of events, will compile to remove the'obstructions
tp a free intercourse between the .governments of Bengal and
Tibet, and to restore the advantages which Bengal has. lost. In the
expectation of such- an event, pur best reliance; is not merely on the
friendly disposition of the present government of Teshoo Loomboo, but
alsO on the superstitious doctrines of the Tibet faith ; which, .whilst it
immortalizes the soul of the Lama, upon earth, and admits its transmi-.
gration from one corporeal tenement to another, until the end ofi,tiflieh
perpetuates also its dispositions and its prejudices. The .usual proof’
of the identity of a regenerated Lama, is ah early. recognition • of the
possessions, acquaintances, and transactions of his pre-existence;. I
am therefore of opinion, that the-new Lama will-be.taught, to recur to
the connections ' of the former Teshoo Lama, as one-of the ( strongest
marks that can denote his identity, and facilitate. his acceptation.
And here I ground my hope on presumptions built, upon the tenets
of their faith, which is the basis on which their government if^Jf- iS''
constructed. Were they to adopt a different conduct, they would necessarily
abandon the most sacred , and immutable positions- Of their
religion, and expose it to every degrading imputation, which is calculated
to rob it of its honours, and lay it open to the reproach, or derision,
attendant on detected imposition-:
During my residence in Tibet it was an object I had much at heart
to obtain an interview with the infant Teshoo Lama. But in the Emperor
of China s command, requiring his guardians to keep him in the
Strictest privacy, and prohibiting!,'» indiscriminately, the admission of
all persons to his presehee, I found an obstacle almost insurmountable;
yp| thë Regehf, mindful of the amity subsisting between the Governor
and hitilself, and unyvilljing,-hhsKeve',by any act,, to hazard its.interjfUpr
tipn, at length consented to grant me that .extraordinary indulgence.
As the'meeting was attended with »very,.singular, an^striking circumstances,
I could pot help> noting; tji^;,witlgjnQs£ particulaij.atten-
tiop; and, though the repetitiop-of^suphj facts, interwoven andiblendedi
as they are with superstition anpl folly, may, expose met to the imputation
.of extravagant. exaggeration,^yet: I s^auJA think m y rep re*
hfnsiblerin. suppressing them. While, theiefoie, I divest myscll- qi.all
prejudice;: and assume the character of a faithful narrato-r,;I hope, however
tedious the detail, I propose to enter into, may he found, it will be
ati leasprepeiyed^with candour- and attention, by those for, whose; perusal
and information it is intended4. It is indeed important, were it
ratify,to mark that strong feature in^they^kjapal .ehar'a^er.^gf impfimi?!
hOfrtSgê to their great religion^ Sovereign,, and» to^exeipplify the very
uncommon, I may almost say, unheard of effects, of early tuition. I
Shah perhaps, be still more fully, justified in making this relation
adverting to that very extraordinary assurance gjyen me by th^Regen|,
but a few days before my departure from his.( Gou$t * yjhiqh, without
further introduction, I shall beg leave literally-t&fcecitèï) "At an inter*
view with which he indulged me, after having given me my audience»
of leave, he said, “ I' had yesterday a' Vision of ouri tutelary'.deity,
and' to me; it was a day replete with much interestipg and important
1Pag* 33È’ et