WILAT BECOMES OF TILE FLOWERS, 247

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lamas, followed by the superiors in their state
dresses. After remaining for a moment motionless
on the stage, the procession disappears at the sides,
and the representation is over. This spectacle ex-
cited general enthusiasm. At length, being weary
of the pressure caused by the waves of the immense
mass that rolled to and fro, like a sea beaten by the
tempest, we retired, the night being far advanced.
Next morning, when the sun rose, not a trace re-
mained of the Feast of Flowers. All had dis-
appeared ; the bas-reliefs had been demolished, and
the immense collection of butter had been thrown
down a ravine to feed the crows with. These grand
works, on which so much pains, so much time, we
may also say so much genius, had been expended,
had served merely as a spectacle for a single even-
ing. Hvery year they make new flowers, and every
year upon a new plan. With the flowers disap-
peared also the pilgrims. Already, at daybreak,
you saw them slowly ascending the tortuous paths
of the mountain, returning to their homes in the
desert sorrowfully and silently, for the heart of man
can endure so little of joy in this world, that the
day succeeding a festival is generally full of bitter-
ness and melancholy.

A few days after the ‘‘ Feast of Flowers,” M.
IIuc determined to repair to the little Lamasery
of Tchogorton, which served as a sort of country