XXV. An account of the Kingdom of Thibet. In a letter from John Stewart, Esquire, F.R.S. to Sir John Pringle, Bart. P.R.S

Abstract

Sir, During my late residence in India, a transaction took place in Bengal, which, in its consequence, led to a new and more intimate knowledge of a vast country, hitherto unexplored by Europeans, and hardly known to them but by name. As every discovery of this sort tends to the advancement of natural knowledge, I have thought a short notice on this subject might prove no disagreeable communication to the Society; and therefore take the liberty, with your approbation, to submit it, in this manner, to them. The kingdom of Thibet, although known by name ever since the days of Marco Paolo and other travellers of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, had never been properly explored by any European till the period of which I am now to speak. It is true, some straggling missionaries of the begging orders had, at different times, penetrated into different parts of the country; but their observations, directed by ignorance and superstition, placed in a narrow sphere, could give no ideas but what were false and imperfect. Since then, the Jesuits have given the world, in Duhalde's History of China, a shore account of this country, collected, with their usual pains and judgement, from Tartar relations, which, as far as it goes, seems to be pretty just.