and we displayed the three maps we had; a map of the world, the two hemispheres upon the projection of Mercator, and a Chinese empire. The appearance of these maps seemed to the Regent a clap of thunder; the poor man changed colour three or four times in the course of a minute, as if we had shown our death warrant. “It is fortunate for us,” said we to Ki-Chan, “that we have met with you in this country. If, by ill luck, you had not been here, we should have been utterly unable to convince the Thibetian authorities that these maps are not our own drawing. But an instructed man like yourself, conversant with European matters, will at once see that these maps are not our own work.” Ki-Chan was evidently much flattered by the compliment. “Oh, it is evident,” said he, at the first glance, “that these maps are printed. Look here,” said he to the Regent; “these maps were not drawn by these men; they were printed in the kingdom of France. You cannot distinguish that, but I have been long used to objects, the productions of the Western Heaven.” These words produced a magical effect on the Regent. His face became radiant, and he looked at us with a look of satisfaction, and made a gracious movement with his head, as much as to say, “It is well; you are honest people.” We could not get off without a little geographical lecture. We yielded charitably to the wishes of the Regent and the Chinese ambassador. We indicated with our fingers on the map of Mercator, China, Tartary, and Thibet, and all the other countries of the globe. The Regent was amazed at seeing how far we were from our native land, and what a long journey we had been obliged to make, by land and water, to come and pay him a visit in the capital of Thibet. He regarded us with astonishment, and then raised the thumb of his right hand, saying, “You are men like that,” signifying, in the figurative language of the Thibetians; you are men of a superlative stamp. After recognising the principal points of Thibet, the Regent inquired whereabouts was Calcutta? “Here,” we said, pointing to a little round speck on the borders of the sea. “And Lha-Ssa: where then is Lha-Ssa?” “Here it is.” The eyes and finger of the Regent went from Lha-Ssa to Calcutta, and from Calcutta to Lha-Ssa. “The Pelings of Calcutta are very near our frontiers,” said he, making a grimace, and shaking his head. “No matter,” he added, “here are the Himalaya mountains.”