Chap. XVII. 
FOOD OF THE PRIESTS. 
267 
effect was produced. Streams of ruddy light shot across 
the temple, the candles on the altar appeared to burn 
dimly, and the huge idols seemed more massive and 
strange than they had done before. One by one the 
priests slowly retired as solemnly as they came, and 
apparently deeply impressed with the services in which 
they had been engaged. Nearly all the priests ad- 
journed to the refectory, where dinner was served imme- 
diately. The Buddhists eat no animal food ; but they 
manage to consume a very large quantity of rice and 
vegetables. I have been perfectly astonished at the 
quantity of rice eaten by one of these priests at a meal. 
And yet, generally, they look poor and emaciated 
beings, which is probably owing as much to the 
sedentary lives which they lead as to the nature of 
their food. 
On the morning of the third day, after refreshing 
myself with a cup of the pure bohea, probably the last 
which I shall drink on these mountains, from which it 
gets its name, I bade adieu to the priests and left the 
temple. Leaving my men to finish a substantial meal 
of rice, I strolled down the hill by myself The road 
had been made in a zigzag manner, owing to the steep- 
ness of the hill. Now I was in a dense tropical-looking 
forest, and now by some turning of the road I obtained 
a view down into the valley, which was covered with 
rice-fields of the most luxuriant green. 
Looking up behind me, I got a glimpse of the temple 
peeping out from amidst the rich woods which surrounded 
it. The sun was shining gaily upon it, and making the 
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