FROM TONKIN TO INDIA 



dismissed most of our former mafous and disposed of several 

 mules. 



Before we left we received a visit from two of the Fathers, 

 Pitou and Reichenbach, whose station was two days' distant 

 from Tali ; and with six Frenchmen momentarily united in a 



far country it may 

 be judged if the 

 party broke up 

 early. The mis- 

 sionaries gave us 

 interesting details of 

 the country, especi- 

 ally regarding the 

 superstitions of the 

 Chinese in Tali, 

 among which the 

 errors of the Middle 

 Ages lived again. 

 For instance, in the 

 heart of the larger 

 cactus is found a 

 pith, which to a 

 lively imagination 

 presents the semblance of a doll. In this the natives see the 

 embryo European, and to be beforehand with a possible invasion 

 slay every cactus in the place. Again, when rain is wanted 

 a long paper dragon is carried through the streets ; or, more 

 effectual still, a dressed-up dog is carried in a palanquin, before 

 which the very mandarins must bow for the propitiation of the 



skies. 



142 



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Main Gate Tali- Foil. 



