e us for any such defects, in a style eminently
calculated to produce an abiding impression. This system, though
somewhat tedious, and decidedly displeasing to one's self-love, was
incomparably superior to the method practised by the Chinese Christians
towards the European missionaries in giving them Chinese lessons. Partly
from politeness, partly from religious respect, they affect to be in
ecstasies with whatever their spiritual father-pupil says; and, instead
of frankly correcting the faults which naturally occur in his
expressions, they are rather disposed to imitate his defective language,
so that he may, with the less trouble to himself, understand them, the
result of which excessive complaisance is, that the missionaries are put
to grave inconvenience when they seek to converse with pagans who, not
having the same devotion towards them, do not admit in them a fine
pronunciation, or a masterly knowledge of words. Upon such occasions,
how one regrets that one had not for a teacher some Sandara the Bearded!
Upon such considerations, we resolved to keep our master with all his
defects, to endure his abuse, and to make the best and most we could of
him. As we found that our sapeks were his object, it was agreed that we
should pay him handsomely for his lessons; and, moreover, we made up our
minds to wink at his little knaveries, and to affect to have no idea that
he had an understanding with the people who sold us our daily provisions.

Samdadchiemba had not been gone many days before he suddenly re-appeared
amongst us. He had been robbed by brigands who had taken from him his
entire provision of meal, butter, and tea. For the last day and a half
he had eaten nothing whatever, and, of consequence, his voice was hollow,
and his face pale and haggard. Only seeing one camel in the court-yard,
we imagined that the two others had become the prey of the brigands, but
Samdadchiemba relieved us by the assurance that he had confided them to
the Tartar family who had granted him their hospitality. Upon hearing
this statement, Sandara knitted his brows. "Samdadchiemba," said he,
"you are my younger brother, as it were; I have therefore a right to ask
you a few questions." And thereupon he submitted the cameleer to an
interrogatory characterised by all the depth and subtlety of an able
advocate cross-examining some cunning offender. He demanded the minutest
details, and applied himself with infinite ingenuity to work up