ad slowly and at sight. Many words I can
write. I think I could write a bad letter myself alone. The other day I
did so. My teacher said it was well written, and said also he rejoiced
in the progress of his scholar; but I put this down to mere politeness.'

During this visit he stayed in the tent of a Mongol named Mahabul, who
lived there with his wife and an only son, a lama. They were all much
addicted to the use of whisky.

'_October 14, '71._--To-day rose before the sun, read words, wrote
at the account of my journey from Urga, went to the mountain for
devotion, revisited the silver worker, who is making the bride's
ornaments, dined, visited the Norying's lama son, who fell from a
horse and broke his leg, had tea, and went to visit tents a mile or
two to the south. There found, as master of the tent, a blackman (a
layman) I had seen before, and as visitor a lama I had left in
Mahabul's tent when I went out. From one thing to another we got to
speak of God and His book. At last they asked me to read them a
portion. I read in English a few verses, and then gave them the
parable of the Prodigal Son in Mongol colloquial. I also gave them
a specimen of a sermon, and explained shortly the nature of God,
when they all seemed pleased. The lama finished up the thing by
saying, "Your outward appearance differs from us, but inwardly you
agree with us." Coming home I felt amply repaid for all the
uncomfort and solitude, and leading a Mongol life, by the
comparative ease with which I can converse with them, and the
manner in which they wonder at my proficiency in the colloquial.'

In his official report he rapidly summarises the achievements of the
last nine months:--

'By the middle of February I had a limited knowledge of the
colloquial, picked up from listening to and joining in the
conversation going on among the inmates of the tent at Olau
Bourgass, and those with the numerous visitors who took occasion to
call on my lama, who was rather a famous man. At the end of
February the lama returned south to Urga, and I went back into
Russia, and got a Buriat teacher. This individual, however, turned
out so incredibly lazy, and I felt so dull alone in my large
comfortable rooms, after the friendly bustle and crowd of the
little tent, with its cheery fire, that I could not stand it. So I