the
fourth, which is considered the most complimentary of all, consists in
cutting the dead body in pieces, and giving these to be eaten by the
dogs. The last method is by far the most popular. The poor have only as
their mausoleum the common vagabond dogs of the locality; but the more
distinguished defunct are treated with greater ceremony. In all the
Lamaseries, a number of dogs are kept _ad hoc_, and within them the rich
Thibetians are buried. {200}

[Picture: Chinese and Tartar female Head-dresses]

[Picture: Tibetian Theatre]

CHAPTER VII.

Notice of Moorcroft the English Traveller--Routes between Lha-Ssa and
Europe--Discussion with the Chinese Ambassador--Contest between the
Regent and Ki-Chan about us--Our expulsion from Lha-Ssa determined
on--Protest against this arbitrary measure--Report of Ki-Chan to the
Emperor of China--System of Chronology in use in Thibet--New Thibetian
year--Festivals and rejoicings--Buddhist Monasteries of the Province of
Oui--Khaldan--Preboung--Sera--Farewell of the Regent--Separation from
Samdadchiemba--Ly, the Pacificator of Kingdoms--Triple Address of the
Chinese Ambassador--Picturesque adieu between the Ly-Kouo-Ngan and his
Wife--Departure from Lha-Ssa for Canton--Crossing a river in a leathern
boat.

We have already referred to the travels of Moorcroft in Thibet, in
noticing the excessive fear with which the designers and makers of
geographical charts inspire the Thibetian government. One day, the
governor of the Cashmerians brought to us one of his fellow countrymen,
named Nisan, who had been for a long time the servant of Moorcroft at
Lha-Ssa. He talked to us at some length about his old master, and the
details he gave us confirmed all that had already been related to us.
The adventures of this English traveller appearing to us too singular to
be passed over wholly in silence, we have thought proper to give a short
review of them.

According to the statements collected in the capital of Thibet itself,
Moorcroft arrived from Ladak at Lha-Ssa in the year 1826; he wore the
Mussulman dress, and spoke the Farsie language, expressing himself in
that idiom with so much facility, that the Cashmerians of Lha-Ssa took
him for one of their countrymen. He hired a house in the town, where he
lived for twelve years with his servant Nisan, whom he had brought from
Ladak, and who himself thought that his master was a Cashmerian.
Moorcroft