. The "Overland" to China. eare many traces of fetichism, as evidenced by thenumber of sacred heaps of stones, known as obo, orsingle stones and trees, to which offerings are both countries these possess mystic potency—the ling of the Chinese. The Mongol holds themin great reverence, and never passes without addingto them a stone, rag, or tuft of camels hair. In sum-mer they arc the scene of religious festivals and themeeting-place for the people on holidays. It is probable, as already pointed out, that out ofevery family one member at least, if not more, willenter the priesthood. The
. The "Overland" to China. eare many traces of fetichism, as evidenced by thenumber of sacred heaps of stones, known as obo, orsingle stones and trees, to which offerings are both countries these possess mystic potency—the ling of the Chinese. The Mongol holds themin great reverence, and never passes without addingto them a stone, rag, or tuft of camels hair. In sum-mer they arc the scene of religious festivals and themeeting-place for the people on holidays. It is probable, as already pointed out, that out ofevery family one member at least, if not more, willenter the priesthood. The Chinese governmentencourages this system, fearing that if the countrybecame too populous it would be the contrary policy seems to be followed byRussia, since among the Buriats, as the Mongols far-ther north are called, lamas are comparatively this is accomplished by official pressure orby moral suasion, the fact remains. Unlike China,Russia does not fear her ability to cope with a rap- 304. u BURIAT LAMAS, WITH CHINESE INTERPRETER EASTERN MONGOLIA idly increasing population; on the contrary, shelooks to them to aid her, when the time comes, inoverthrowing their present masters, the Greek Church, supported of course by the Rus-sian government, has taken an interest in the coun-try, and has sent several missions to work in thatfield ; so far, however, Christianity has made but littleheadway. At Kalgan, the town which guards the entranceto the Great A\^all, arc three famous theologicalschools for Mohammedans. It is said that the^faithful in this town are far from beinq; strict intheir religious observances, and will at times smokeopium, and even eat pork, if only sold to them asmutton. All travellers in this country seem to agree thatthe barbarous condition of the INIongols, and manyof their worst characteristics, are due to the mali2:ninfluence of a debased religion. The sacred city ofUrga is famed for the number of its temples, one o
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