vast circle of
bones and monumental stones, it seemed as though death was continuously
engaged in the blockade of life. Here and there, in the vast cemetery
which completely encircles the city, we remarked little gardens, where,
by dint of extreme labour, a few miserable vegetables were extracted from
the earth: leeks, spinach, hard bitter lettuces, and cabbages, which,
introduced some years since from Russia, have adapted themselves
exceedingly well to the climate of Northern China.

With the exception of these few esculents, the environs of _Tolon-Noor_
produce absolutely nothing whatever. The soil is dry and sandy, and
water terribly scarce. It is only here and there that a few limited
springs are found, and these are dried up in the hot season.

[Picture: Chinese Idol]

[Picture: City of Tolon-Noor]

CHAPTER II.

Inn at Tolon-Noor--Aspect of the City--Great Foundries of Bells and
Idols--Conversation with the Lamas of _Tolon-Noor_--Encampment--Tea
Bricks--Meeting with Queen _Mourguevan_--Taste of the Mongols for
Pilgrimages--Violent Storm--Account from a Mongol Chief of the War of the
English against China--Topography of the Eight Banners of the
_Tchakar_--The Imperial herds--Form and Interior of the Tents--Tartar
Manners and Customs--Encampment at the Three Lakes--Nocturnal
Apparitions--Samdadchiemba relates the Adventures of his Youth--Grey
Squirrels of Tartary--Arrival at _Chaborte_.

Our entrance into the city of Tolon-Noor was fatiguing and full of
perplexity; for we knew not where to take up our abode. We wandered
about for a long time in a labyrinth of narrow, tortuous streets,
encumbered with men and animals and goods. At last we found an inn. We
unloaded our dromedaries, deposited the baggage in small room, foddered
the animals, and then, having affixed to the door of our room the padlock
which, as is the custom, our landlord gave us for that purpose, we
sallied forth in quest of dinner. A triangular flag floating before a
house in the next street, indicated to our joyful hearts an eating-house.
A long passage led us into a spacious apartment, in which were
symmetrically set forth a number of little tables. Seating ourselves at
one of these, a tea-pot, the inevitable prelude in these countries to
every meal, was set before each of us. You must swallow infinite tea,
and that boiling hot, before they will consent to bring you anything
else.