TEMPLE OF MAIDARI. 9 



the bank of the Tola, is the two-storied house of the 

 Russian Consul, with its wings and outbuildings. 



The population of Urga is estimated at 30,000. 

 The inhabitants of the Chinese town are all Chinese 

 officials or traders. Both these classes are forbidden 

 by law to live with their families, or lead a tho- 

 roughly settled life. But the Chinese generally 

 evade the law by keeping Mongol concubines. The 

 Manchu officials, however, bring their families with 

 them. 



The most striking features in the Mongolian 

 town are the temples, Avith their gilt cupolas, and the 

 palace of the Knttikkt^t, or living representative of 

 the Divinity. 



The exterior of this palace differs but slightly 

 from the temples, the chief of which in size and 

 architectural pretensions is the shrine of Maidari, 

 the future ruler of the world. ^ This is a lofty, square 

 building, with fiat roof and battlemented walls. The 

 image of Maidari, raised on a pedestal, occupies a 

 central position in the interior ; he is represented in 

 a sitting posture with a beaming expression of face. 

 This image measures 'x,'^^ feet in height, and is said 

 to weigh about 125 tons : it is of gilt brass, manufac- 

 tured at the town of Dolon-nor,'^ and brought in 

 pieces to Urga. 



Before the image of Maidari is placed a table 



^ Maidari is the Mongol form of the Indian Maitreya, the name 

 of the Buddha that is next to come, the fifth of the World-period in 

 which we live. — Y. 



* This town is on the south-east border of Mongolia, and is the 

 chief place for the manufacture of Mongol idols. 



