FETE AT OURGA. 195 



the presents which were offered to him, the Kou- 

 touktou gave his benediction to the emperor by 

 laying both hands on the head of the amban (a 

 Chinese officer). He then gave his blessing to the 

 Lamas and the people.* The Chinese merchants 

 who were present at Ourga made an offering of 

 350 pieces of satin and 400 chests of brick tea.f 



Wrestling, archery, and horse-racing followed. 

 The race-course was 18 versts in length (about 12 

 miles); 1.110 horses ran at once. On another occa- 

 sion 1627 horses, of six years old, ran 16 versts: 

 and on a third, 985 of 4 vears old, ran 12 versts. 

 On all these occasions 100 horses were selected as 

 victors. 



At the expiration of two days, when the games 

 were concluded (July 8.) all the Mongols returned 

 to Ourga. A richly decorated tent was erected, 

 into which the Koutouktou was conducted. Seve- 

 ral idols were carried before him, and incense was 

 burnt in silver censors. When he had entered the 

 tent and mounted the throne, all the nobles took 

 the places assigned to them. Brick tea in silver 

 cups was brought in, and presented to the Kou- 

 touktou and his sister. The former, after having 

 tasted it, returned it, and gave orders to pour a 

 part of it into each tea-pot. As soon as this was 

 done, a cup of this tea was presented, first to the 

 Koubilgon and the Dalama, and then to all the 



* Embassy to Peking, vol. i. p. 100. j* lb. p. 101. 



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