we worked, and with an
occasional smile at our slips. Partly through idleness, partly through
vanity, he abstained from lending us a hand. "My spiritual fathers,"
said he, one day, "how can people of your quality demean yourselves by
rope-making? Would it not be much more proper to buy what ropes you
require, or to give the materials out to be made by persons in the
trade?" This question afforded us an opportunity of giving our cameleer
a sound rating. After having emphatically impressed upon him that we
were in no position to play the fine gentlemen, and that we must closely
study economy, we cited to him the example of St. Paul, who had thought
it no derogation from his dignity to labour with his hands, in order to
avoid being of charge to the faithful. So soon as Samdadchiemba learned
that St. Paul had been at the same time a currier and an apostle, he
forthwith abdicated his idleness and his self-sufficiency, and applied
himself with ardour to rope-making. What was our astonishment, on seeing
the fellow at work, to find that he was a first-rate braider, for not an
inkling had he ever given us to that effect! He selected the finest
wool, and with it wove bridles and halters, that were really quite
masterpieces of art. It is almost unnecessary to add that he was
forthwith placed at the head of our rope-making establishment, and that
we submitted ourselves altogether to his directorship.

The fine weather brought to Tchogortan a great number of visitors from
Kounboum, who sought at once change of air, and temporary relaxation from
their studies. Our apartment now became a point of pilgrimage, for no
one thought of spending a day at Tchogortan without paying a visit to the
Lamas of the Western Heaven. Those Lamas, with whom we had formed a more
intimate acquaintance at Kounboum, and who had begun there to inform
themselves as to the truths of the Christian religion, were attracted by
a far higher motive than curiosity; they desired to discourse further of
the holy doctrine of Jehovah, and to seek from us explanations of
difficulties which had occurred to them. Oh! how our hearts were
penetrated with ineffable joy when we heard these Buddhist monks
pronounce with respect the sacred names of Jesus and of Mary, and recite,
with manifest devotion, the prayers we had taught them. The great God,
we doubt not, will place to their favourable account, these first steps
in the path of salvation, and will not fail to