ct exorbitant
tributes. We know one who makes use of a system of oppression that is
truly revolting. He selects from among his flocks the oldest and
sickliest cattle, camels, sheep and goats, and gives them in charge to
the rich slaves in his states, who cannot, of course, object to pasture
the cattle of their sovereign master; but are fain to consider it rather
an honour. After a few years, the king applies for his cattle, by this
time all dead or dying of illness or old age, and selects from the flocks
of his slaves the youngest and strongest; often even, not content with
this, he demands double or treble the number. "Nothing," says he, "is
more just; for in two or three years my beasts must have multiplied, and
therefore a great number of lambs, colts, calves, and young camels belong
to me."

Slavery, however mitigated and softened, can never be in harmony with the
dignity of man. It has been abolished in Europe, and we hope will be
abolished one day among the Mongol people. But this great revolution
will, as everywhere else, be operated by the influence of Christianity.
It will not be theory-mongers who will liberate these nomad people. The
work will be the work of the priests of Jesus Christ, of the preachers of
the Holy Gospel, that Divine Charter, wherein are set forth the true
rights of man. So soon as the missionaries shall have taught the Mongols
to say, "Our Father who art in Heaven," slavery will fall in Tartary, and
the tree of liberty will grow beside the cross.

After some days' march across the sands of the Ortous, we noticed on our
way a small Lamasery, richly built in a picturesque and wild situation.
We passed on without stopping. We had advanced a gun-shot from the
place, when we heard behind us the galloping of a horse. On looking
round we saw a Lama following us at full speed. "Brothers," he said,
"you have passed our _Soume_ (Lamasery) without stopping. Are you in
such haste that you cannot repose for a day, and offer your adorations to
our saint?" "Yes, we are rather in a hurry; our journey is not of a few
days; we are going to the West." "I knew very well by your physiognomies
that you were not Mongols, and that you came from the West; but as you
are going so far, you had better prostrate yourselves before our saint;
that will bring you good luck." "We never prostrate ourselves before
men; the true creed of the West forbids that." "Our saint is not a mere
man; you do not imagine