Through Unknown Tibet

About the Book The book is about a journey across Tibet and China which author took in 1896. The objective is to describe in a simple manner that entire author did and saw from beginning to end, in the hope that some future traveler may learn, not so much what he ought to do, as what he ought not to do. There are notices on the people, anecdotes and accounts of their daily life, customs, folklore, local politics, geographical and metrological readings, personal experiences, interactions with friendly, and hostile, natives, etc. There are seventy-seven photographs in this book, which was first published in 1898.

Captain Montagu Sinclair Well by (1866-1900) was a veteran of several exploratory expeditions when he set out from the Abyssinian (now Ethiopian) capital Addis Ababa on his marathon journey in December 1898.

Preface In publishing the following account of a journey across Tibet and China, it has been my object to describe in a simple manner all that I did and saw from beginning to end, in the hope that some future traveler may learn, not so much what he ought to do, as what he ought not to do.

Those who have experienced the charms of a nomad's life, will, I trust, be once more reminded of happy days of freedom, will syrnpathise with us in our difficulties, and share the pleasures which they alone can appreciate. Should others, by chance, find some little interest in perusing these pages, and be tempted to taste for themselves the sweets of wandering through little known lands, they will be recompensed for doing so, and] shall have found my reward.

To those who patiently read to the end and close the book with a feeling of disappointment, I would appeal for leniency.

Begun as it was at Lucknow, amid the distractions of polo, racing, and field-days, continued at Simla, India's summer capital, and finished in the wilds of Waziristan, it can lay no claim to, literary or scientific merit, but only to being a plain story plainly told; and as such I give it to the public.

For the chapter on the Mohammedan rebellion in China, my thanks are due to my friend Mr. Ridley, of the "China Inland Mission," who lived in the very midst of the scene of trouble, and who kindly allowed me to make every use of his notes. They are likewise due to Sir Claude and Lady Macdonald, whose kindness and hospitality in Peking can never be forgotten, and lastly, to those three faithful ones who stuck to us through thick and thin.

The names of Duffadar Shahzad Mir, Lasso, and Esa Tsareng - known throughout as "Esau" - will always call to my mind three men without whom this journey could never have been accomplished, and in saying this I know that I am also expressing the feelings of my companion, Lieut. Malcolm.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages