WHAT BECOMES OF THE FLOWERS. 247 



lamas, followed by the superiors in their state 

 dresses. After remaining for a moment motionless 

 on the stage, the procession disappears at the sides, 

 and the representation is over. This spectacle ex- 

 cited general enthusiasm. At length, being weary 

 of the pressure caused by the waves of the immense 

 mass that rolled to and fro, like a sea beaten by the 

 tempest, we retired, the night being far advanced. 

 Next morning, when the sun rose, not a trace re- 

 mained of the Feast of Flowers. All had dis- 

 appeared ; the bas-reliefs had been demolished, and 

 the immense collection of butter had been thrown 

 down a ravine to feed the crows with. These grand 

 works, on which so much pains, so much time, we 

 may also say so much genius, had been expended, 

 had served merely as a spectacle for a single even- 

 ing. Every year they make new flowers, and every 

 year upon a new plan. With the flowers disap- 

 peared also the pilgrims. Already, at daybreak, 

 you saw them slowly ascending the tortuous paths 

 of the mountain, returning to their homes in the 

 desert sorrowfully and silently, for the heart of man 

 can endure so little of joy in this world, that the 

 day succeeding a festival is generally full of bitter- 

 ness and melancholy." 



A few days after the " Feast of Flowers," M. 

 Hue determined to repair to the little Lamasery 

 of Tchogortmi, which served as a sort of country 



