THE SACRED CITY OF THE LIVING BUDDHA 65 



or stone, and supports a pendent braid like a riding 

 quirt. On her head, between the horns, she wears a sil- 

 ver cap elaborately chased and flashing with "jewels." 

 Surmounting this is a "saucer" hat of black and yellow. 

 Her skirt is of gorgeous brocade or cloth, and the jacket 

 is of like material with prominent "puffs" upon the 

 shoulders. She wears huge leather boots with upturned, 

 pointed toes, similar to those of the men, and when in 

 full array she has a whole portiere of beadwork sus- 

 pended from the region of her ears. 



She is altogether satisfying to the lover of fantastic 

 Oriental costumes, except in the matter of footgear, and 

 this slight exception might be allowed, for she has so 

 amply decorated every other available part of her 

 anatomy. 



Moreover, the boots form a very necessary adjunct 

 to her personal equipment, besides providing a cover- 

 ing for her feet. They are many sizes too large, of 

 course, but they furnish ample space during the bitter 

 cold of winter for the addition of several pairs of socks, 

 varying in number according to the thermometer. Dur- 

 ing the summer she often wears no socks at all, but their 

 place is taken by an assortment of small articles which 

 cannot be carried conveniently on her person. Her pipe 

 and tobacco, a package of tea, or a wooden bowl can 

 easily be stuffed into the wide top boots, for pockets are 

 an unknown luxury even to the men. 



In its kaleidoscopic mass of life and color the city is 

 like a great pageant on the stage of a theater, with the 

 added fascination of reality. But, somehow, I could 



