St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1898-05-14
IN LAND OF IDOLS.
Chinamen Pray by Aid Of IN APpar1-
tus SOmethtnG Like the Han-
kee Slot Machine.

With Germany. Russia, France, Eng
land and japan spelling. or threaten
ing to spoil the seaboard of the celestial
empire, all eyes have been turned for
some little time past upon the far east.
China we are all pretty familiar with
from the writings Of travelers-that
portion of China, though, which lies
along the coast. Whether this great
country of 400, 0,00O. 600 inhabitants or
thereabouts is to be cut up and par
celed out among the European powers
yet remains to be seen. If il Is, queer
lot of people will come under the sway
of4he different flags of European civili-
zation.
Mongolia, for instance, which Ia
threatened by Russian absorption, that
practically unexpiored country in the
neighborhood of Shame, the sea of sand,
or better known TO European geogra-
phists as the Cobb desert. This is part
OF China; at least this tremendous tract
of country, embracing mountains,
rivers and plains, owes suzerainty to
the Chinese emperor. But, although in
personal appearance the inhabitants OF
Mongolia are Chinese to degree, yet
the few civilizing infiuences which have
crept in on the seaboard have not yet
reached Them
Mongolia may be set down as a coun-
try of barbarians. il not of religious
fanatics. They are idol worshipers OF
The most pronounced type, and at Urga,
the capital town and the seat of the
grand lama, religious moderation is to
be seen in its most despotic form. Urga
il a town with considerable popula-
ton, a town of mud, wattle-roofed
houses. pigtailed inhabitants and in
Vulnerable dogs. Its center is occupied
by the house or palace of the lama.
who is practically ruler over all Mon
golian Chinese.
Should any reader happen upon Urga
and walk through its streets, the first
thing that will strike him will be q pc
culiar changing noise on all Sides 1t
will not take him long to discover
whence proceeds this strange ciangor
of bells, for at every corner, in almost
every open space, he will see peculiar
erection, like noth.ng SO much as q
gigantic turnstile. the center OF which
is box-shaped and from whose sides
protrude several bars of wood This
turnstile arrangement is covered by
conicai canopy to protect 1t from the
elements, and forms the celt brated
praying mill Of Mongolia. The drum or
wooden box in the center il filed, some
times 10 cyerhowing, with prayers writ
ten on all sorts of materials. A nasser-
Ivy, wishing for something good. writes
n prayer (if he has the ability, and
then puts it in the box, after which he
seizes one of the handles of the machine
ard walks solemnIy around, the idea
heing that this system of grinding II
necessary before the prayer can reach
its proper destination.
In front of the palace itself there are
some score Of these praying mills.
while, not dependent entirely upon
these, every Mongol who has any re-
srect for himself will carry miniature
mill in his hands, and u he walks, or n
he sits, or as he cats or drinks, he will
from time to time turn this mill, in
which he has already deposited his
latest prayer to his particular idol.
To approach the palace Of the grand
lama is, indeed, = ceremony. Nothing
in the shape Of vehicle is allowed
within couple Of hundred yards Of the
entrance. nor is any visitor allowed to
approach on foot. No. be must go down
ON his stomach and squirm along
through the mud into the presence Of
the second god.-London Mail.
Ninety MfI1ion Candle-PevveF.
Tests have recently been made at the
Lighthouse depot on Staten Island OF
an electric light beacon which, it il
expected, will be set up at some impor-
tant point ON the Atlantic coast. Tho
illumination is furnished by nm arc light
of 5000 candle power, but this is 70
fracted by series of concentric prisr
matte segments, so that the light is pro-
| jected in q parallel beam nine feet in
diameter, which is estimated to BE- Of
no less than loot, 900 candle-power!
Such light would be visible IN !
| straight line at = distance Of 16e miles.
but owing to the curvature of the earth.
the actual distance at which it could be
.een would depend on itselevation abovs
the sea--Youth's Companion
Not - slew Hinself-
Yes said Miss Languish, Il am
proud to 1hy that can point back to :
long line Of ancestor"
$50 can ]" declared Mr.. Clipperton.
|drawing himself up to his full height.
NY father was SIX feet two In hia