A SURPRISING SIGHT. 2-15 



selves at every step, and reciting, in under tones, 

 their form of prayer. 



" On the 15th the pilgrims again made the circuit 

 of the Lamasery, but by no means in such numbers 

 as on the previous days. Curiosity impelled the 

 great majority towards the points where prepara- 

 tions were making for the Feast of Flowers. When 

 night fell, we went to see the marvellous butter- 

 works, of which we had heard so much. The 

 flowers were arranged in the open air, before the 

 various temples of the Lamasery, and displayed by 

 illuminations of the most dazzling brilliancy. In- 

 numerable vases of brass and copper, in the form 

 of chalices, were placed upon slight framework, 

 itself representing various designs ; and all these 

 vases were filled with thick butter supporting a 

 solid wick. The illuminations were arranged with 

 a taste that would have reflected no discredit on a 

 Parisian decorator. 



" The appearance of the flowers themselves quite 

 amazed us. We could never have conceived that 

 in these deserts, amongst a half savage people, 

 artists of such eminent merit could have been 

 found. From the paintings and sculptures we had 

 seen in various Lamaseries, we had not in the 

 slightest degree been led to anticipate the exquisite 

 finish which we had occasion to admire in the 

 butter-works. The flowers were bas-reliefs, of 



