Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-29

palm groves, in the silent shades of which
stand innumerable small votive pagodas,
and golden images and statues of Bud1ha
in all his characters, but especially as the
calm, stagnant, peaceful Guatama. At
the extremity of the avenue is a fight
of broad sandstone steps; then ter
race, decorated with flowers and statu-
cites with much taste; then another
broad flight of steps, another terrace, an
other flight of steps; and. finally, through
gateway guarded by monstrous statues, we
came to the terrace upon which the temple
itself was planted. The feet of millions of
worshippers and pilgrims had worn their
way into the steps and the flags of the ter
races, and both steps and terraces, as well as
the environs of the temple, were crowded
with an immense multitude of persons, who
necessarily moved about to and fro, yet
never spoke above a whisper. These made
way tor us as we passed with a respect min
gled of reverence and curiosity. Bands of
male and female bonzes passed to and fro
in the crowd, swinging censers and scatter
ing flowers. Some of these were shockingly
mutilated, having cut off their fingers,
their ears, their noses, and their eyelids,
in the excess of their devotion to Buddha's
service.
The pagoda itself is an immense round
building with square top, like a gasometer,
and trimmed around with a gallery sup
ported with gigantic columns. painted q
vivid red and dashed over with busting of
gold, giving them a peculiarly brilliant
effect. Underneath this portieo, the build
ing was entered by eight tall doorways, each
grotesquely sculptured with grifins, croco-
diles, and serpents. Behind the building,
like pile of plates narrowing to a CANDLE
e1tinguisher at the apex, rose the character
istic bell-core of all these temples. It was
multitudinous with bells, banners, gay Ian.
terms bright streamers. It was elaborately,
even grotesquely ornamented, gilded, col.
ored, and decorated with curiously shaped
squares of porcelain, so that it was almost
too dazzling in the sunshine to gaze at for
any length of time. At its base, a forest Of
small pagodas clustered, crowding up to the
very base of the columns supporting the
temple gallery.
Soondatch and Woun. Taiac, each hold
ing me by an arm, now directed me toward
one Of the doorways of the temple. 1t was
guarded by two men with drawn swords and
very fierce aspect, who stood in front of a
heavy drapery of red cloth that completely
concealed the interior of the temple from
outside eyes. At a triple password, these
men admitted my companions, but crossed
their swords before my breast. Soondatch
whispered in the ear of the elder of the twoj
he started, gazed at me Intently, Dut dld nos
withdraw his barrier. Woun showed him
slgnet. He took i. and reverently
placed it upon his forehead, yet he still re-
fused to admit me. There was controversy
between the door-keeper and my compan-
ions, and at last the elder guardian whistled
shrilly upon bone pipe tied about his neck
with strand of silk. A tail man suddenly
appeared, could not see from whence. He
was middle-aged, athletic, and had most
peculiar, cunning, selt-posessed look Of per-
son and intelligence.
'Tepadap' exclaimed both of my compan-
ions at once, but the man, who was naked
except for breechclout, took no notice OF
them. He put his hand heavily, but not
unkindly, upon my breast, gave me pierre
ing, long look, and said, in excellent French,
"Are you brave man?" "Try meP'
said. Instantly, without another word, he
bandaged my eyes with a part Of the long
white robe wore; he snapped his fingers sud-
denly, whispering in my ears, mot word
for your lifep' and the next moment found
myself seized in the hands of several strong
men and borne some distance along . de-
vious way, ascending and descending sever