Chap. XXL ADVENTURES WITH A PRIEST. 



407 



open, but apparently they see nothing that is 

 going on around them. 



On my arrival the tailor was working in the 

 room which I had formerly occupied. The high- 

 priest was sitting on a bed adjoining looking at 

 him, but it seemed doubtful from his appearance 

 if he saw either the tailor or his needle. For 

 hours he remained in the same position, and then 

 fell sound asleep until dinner-time. Several other 

 priests were reclining on chairs, or wandering list- 

 lessly about the verandahs or courts of the temple. 

 The only beings who seemed to have life in their 

 veins were the tailor, the cook, two boys, and 

 several ugly-looking dogs. 



And thus the priests in this temple go on from 

 day to day — from childhood to youth and from 

 youth to old age — until the " last scene of all " 

 takes place, when they sink into the grave, having 

 as they believe accomplished the object for which 

 they were sent into the world. 



Buddhism must surely have greatly degenerated 

 since the days when it was first promulgated. It 

 could not be by the exertions of men such as these 

 that this form of religion was extended over half 

 the world and obtained such a footing in a country 

 like China, where even the Christian faith with its 

 many able and zealous preachers can find so few 

 converts. 



The room which I occupied was furnished with 

 two bedsteads, a small table, and three or four 

 chairs. Behind it was another room, which could 



