quest of your
horses. If we do not find them, you may select what others you please
in their place from our herd. We would have you leave this place as
happy as you came to it."' Eight horses darted off in pursuit; the
missionaries were invited to take tea in the interim, and in two hours
the strayed cattle were recovered. We should like to know in what
other country travellers would be so treated?

Regal personages in these regions observe the characteristic simple
manners of the country. Our pilgrims were pursuing their solitary way,
when the tramping of many horses and the sound of many voices
disturbed the silence of the desert. A large caravan belonging to the
queen of Mourguevan overtook them, and a mandarin addressed them.

'Sirs, where is your country?'

'We come from the west.'

'Through what districts have your beneficial shadows passed?'

'We have come from Tolon Noor.'

'Has peace accompanied your progress?'

'Hitherto we have journeyed in all tranquillity. And you--are you at
peace, and what is your country?'

'We are Khalkhas of the kingdom of Mourguevan.'

After some other Oriental queries and answers, her majesty comes up.
The cavalcade halted, and the camels formed into a semicircle, the
centre being occupied by a close four-wheeled carriage. Two mandarins,
'decorated with the blue button,' opened the door, and handed out the
queen, who was attired in a long silk robe.

'Sirs Lamas,' said she, raising her hands, 'is this place auspicious
for an encampment?'

'Royal pilgrim of Mourguevan,' said we, 'you may light your fires here
in all security. For ourselves, we must proceed on our way, for the
sun was already high when we folded our tent.'

The Tartars are divided into two grand classes--lamas and laymen. The
former act as priests, lawyers, physicians, painters, decorators, &c.,
and in fact monopolise every learned and liberal art and profession.
Of course, they are held in high repute; and our travellers having,
like Joseph Wolff, adopted sacerdotal costume, they were everywhere
received with the honours and respect awarded to the indigenous
clergy. It will duly appear, from subsequent illustrations, that mere
ecclesiasticism did not secure the hospitality and kindness which they
experienced at all hands; but even after making allowance for the
national devotion to the cloth, the attentions shewed by the Mongols
are often marked by a delicate sense of the hospitable. On one
occasion, M