The Unveiling of Lhasa

Transcriber's Notes:
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Author of 'A Vagabond in Asia'
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAP


THESE PAGES, WRITTEN MOSTLY IN THE DRY COLD WIND OF TIBET, OFTEN WHEN INK WAS FROZEN AND ONE'S HAND TOO NUMBED TO FEEL A PEN, ARE DEDICATED TO COLONEL HOGGE, C.B., AND THE OFFICERS OF THE 23rd SIKH PIONEERS, WHOSE GENIAL SOCIETY IS ONE OF THE MOST PLEASANT MEMORIES OF A RIGOROUS CAMPAIGN.

The recent expedition to Lhasa was full of interest, not only on account of the political issues involved and the physical difficulties overcome, but owing to the many dramatic incidents which attended the Mission's progress. It was my good fortune to witness nearly all these stirring events, and I have written the following narrative of what I saw in the hope that a continuous story of the affair may interest readers who have hitherto been able to form an idea of it only from the telegrams in the daily Press. The greater part of the book was written on the spot, while the impressions of events and scenery were still fresh. Owing to wounds I was not present at the bombardment and relief of Gyantse, but this phase of the operations is dealt with by Mr. Henry Newman, Reuter's correspondent, who was an eye-witness. I am especially indebted to him for his account, which was written in Lhasa, and occupied many mornings that might have been devoted to well-earned rest.