TIBET.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2739, 1 February 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

TIBET.

Tibet is a sealed book to Europeans, and less of it is known than probably of any country in the world; but despite the exclusiveness of its Government and its inhabitants, its secrets are gradually being revealed. A most interesting contribution to its history has just been given to the world by the Indian Government in the shape of a report of a native attache (spy would be a more appropriate word) of the survey department. This man, in the disguise of a pedlar and pilgrim, made a most eventful and adventurous journey into the heart of Tibet, penetrating even to Lhassa, and brought back with him a fund of information of an entirely novel character. Much of this relates to political matters, which it is deemed prudent to keep private for the present, but no such consideration applies to his notes on scenery and details relating to the religion and customs of the people, which have therefore been published. Fascinating reading they are, too. We learn, among other things, of a visit paid to a celebrated Tibetan hermitage, located iu an immense cave a quarter of a mile in depth, which contains so many mys-

terious passages that visitors are in imminent danger of losing themselves if they stray from the beaten track. An account is also given of the famous monastery of Shalu, where magic is taught on a system which seems hardly likely to attract many votaries. Every seeker after knowledge of the dark arts is interred in a dark underground cavern, where he has to remain 12 weary years, at the expiratiou of which time he signalises his return to the world by blowing a blast on a horn made out of a human thigh bone. He then undergoes a sort of test examination to satisfy the Mahatmas of his proficiency, and if he passes this successfully he is admitted to the brotherhood. Of Lhassa itself the enterprising survey official has much that ia intensely interesting to relate. The last stages of his journey thither were disputed by savage dogs, whose voracious appetites he satisfied by means of a large supply of bones, which he had laid in in anticipa-

tion of their attacks. A survey of the city was one of his first duties, but he was detected in the act and denounced as a spy. Matters would have gone hardly with him, had he not made a judicious use of the funds in his possession, and by bribery, which seems to work wonders in Tibet, extricated himself from his difficul-

ties. He was able thereafter to pursue his investigations in peace, and the account he is able to give of the Grand Llama's capital is fairly complete. One point connected with the disposal of the dead in his accounts strikes one as very curious. Like the Parsees, the Tibetans do not bury, but expose their dead in the open air, and allow them to bo consumed by vultures, &c. The bodies are laid on a flat stone with their limbs outstretched and their faces skyward, and there is a superstition that if the birds of prey wheel to the right in their descent the soul of tho departed is happy, and if they wheel to the left the contrary is the case. The cemetery is jealously guarded from vulgar intrusion, and none but people of high standing are allowed to enter—at least during life. Quitting Lhassa, the adventurous traveller retraced his steps to India, visiting on the way the great monastery of Dapung, inhabited by 10,000 monks, atnoug whom he left a contribution, the interest of which was accepted as sufficient to provide the pay of a man to turn the prayer wheel on his behalf for ever. It was in every respect a noteworthy trip, and the notes of it are the more valuable as tho Russians have for years been unsuccessfully attempting to make an entrance into Thibet, and are even now engaged in sending an expedition there.—Yorkshire Post.