in the city. In the
cathedral, however, we found a bell with the inscription, 'TE
DEUM LAUDAMUS,' which is probably a relic of the Capuchins.

The records of these travellers to Lhasa, and of others who visited
different parts of Tibet before the end of the eighteenth century, do
not point to any serious political obstacles to the admission of
strangers. Two centuries ago, Europeans might travel in remote parts of
Asia with greater safety than is possible to-day. Suspicions have
naturally increased with our encroachments, and the white man now
inspires fear where he used only to awake interest.[3]

[3] Suspicion and jealousy of foreigners seems to have been the
guiding principle both of Tibetans and Chinese even in the
earlier history of the country. The attitude is well illustrated
by a letter written in 1774 by the Regent at Lhasa to the Teshu
Lama with reference to Bogle's mission: 'He had heard of two
Fringies being arrived in the Deb Raja's dominions, with a great
retinue of servants; that the Fringies were fond of war, and
after insinuating 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 to find some method
of sending them back, either on account of the violence of the
small-pox or on any other pretence.'

The policy of strict exclusion in Tibet seems to have been synchronous
with Chinese ascendancy. At the end of the eighteenth century the
Nepalese invaded and overran the country. The Lamas turned to China for
help, and a force of 70,000 men was sent to their assistance. The
Chinese drove the Gurkhas over their frontier, and practically
annihilated their army within a day's march of Khatmandu. From this date
China has virtually or nominally ruled in Lhasa, and an important result
of her intervention has been to sow distrust of the British. She
represented that we had instigated the Nepalese invasion, and warned the
Lamas that the only way to obviate our designs on Tibet was to avoid all
communication with India, and keep the passes strictly closed to
foreigners.

Shortly before the Nepalese War, Warren Hastings had sent the two
missions of Bogle and Turner to Shigatze. Bogle was cordially received
by the Grand Teshu Lama, and an intimate friendship was established
between the two men. On his return to India he reported that