DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5834#0268
BOUTAN MAKVELS.
233
from the middle of its forehead. He had once another
of the same species, but it died. I could not discover
from whence it came, or obtain any other explanation
than ' burra dura !'—a great way off. I expressed an
earnest desire to see a creature so curious and uncom-
mon, and told him that we had representations of
an animal called a unicorn, to which his description
answered, but it was generally considered fabulous.
He again assured me of the truth of what he told me,
and promised I should see it. It was some distance
from Tassisudon,* and his people paid it religious re-
spect ; but I never had a sight of it.
" The last story I shall notice is an account the
Rajah gave me of an adventure of his own, designed
not less to magnify our opinion of his zeal than to add
respect to his religious character in the estimation of
his own disciples. It was introduced in consequence
of our conversation turning on Thibet. He painted to
me the difficulties of the way, and the wide disparity
of country and of climate. ' I have seen, I have ex-
perienced, and speak from my own knowledge: for,'
he continued, ' some years ago, putting on the appear-
ance of a mendicant, or fakeer, I made a pilgrimage to
Lassa, and visited the holy temples, sacred as the
seats of the superior objects of our worship. My
journey was performed all the way on foot, with one
companion. I walked over and saw every part of the
extensive city of Lassa ; I paid my devotions at the
sacred shrine of Pootalah ; t and, after a residence of
* The Rajah's capital.
t The chief monastery and residence of Dalai Lama, near
Lassa.
x 3
233
from the middle of its forehead. He had once another
of the same species, but it died. I could not discover
from whence it came, or obtain any other explanation
than ' burra dura !'—a great way off. I expressed an
earnest desire to see a creature so curious and uncom-
mon, and told him that we had representations of
an animal called a unicorn, to which his description
answered, but it was generally considered fabulous.
He again assured me of the truth of what he told me,
and promised I should see it. It was some distance
from Tassisudon,* and his people paid it religious re-
spect ; but I never had a sight of it.
" The last story I shall notice is an account the
Rajah gave me of an adventure of his own, designed
not less to magnify our opinion of his zeal than to add
respect to his religious character in the estimation of
his own disciples. It was introduced in consequence
of our conversation turning on Thibet. He painted to
me the difficulties of the way, and the wide disparity
of country and of climate. ' I have seen, I have ex-
perienced, and speak from my own knowledge: for,'
he continued, ' some years ago, putting on the appear-
ance of a mendicant, or fakeer, I made a pilgrimage to
Lassa, and visited the holy temples, sacred as the
seats of the superior objects of our worship. My
journey was performed all the way on foot, with one
companion. I walked over and saw every part of the
extensive city of Lassa ; I paid my devotions at the
sacred shrine of Pootalah ; t and, after a residence of
* The Rajah's capital.
t The chief monastery and residence of Dalai Lama, near
Lassa.
x 3