R U S S I A A N D C H I N A. 223 



figures. All thefe warlike inftruments are richly gilded, 

 and ranged in order upon fcafFolds along the wail. Op- 

 pofite the entrance a large yellow ftandard, embroidered 

 with foliage and lilver dragons, is erected ; under it, upon 

 a kind of altar, there is a feries of little oblong tables, 

 bearing Chinefe infcriptions. 



An open gallery, adorned on both fides with flower- 

 pots, leads from the back door of the armoury to the colo- 

 nade of the temple. In this colonade two flate tablets 

 are placed, in wooden frames, about fix feet high and 

 two broad, with long infcriptions relating to the building 

 of the temple. Before one of thefe plates a fmall idol of 

 an hideous form flands upon the ground, enclofed in a - 

 wooden cafe. 



The temple itfelf is an elegant Chinefe building, 

 richly decorated on the outfide with columns lackered, 

 and gilded carved-work, fmall bells, and other orna- 

 ments peculiar to the Chinefe archited:ure. Within there 

 is a rich profiifion of gilding, which correfponds with 

 the gaudinefs of the exterior. The v/alls are covered 

 thick with paintings, exhibiting the moft celebrated ex- 

 ploits of the principal idol. 



This temple contains fi.ve idols of a colofial flature, 

 fitting crofs- legged upon pedeflals in three recelles, which 

 fill the whole Northern fide. 



2 The 



