But this is only one of the conditions in China's great north-west. No mote fantastic contrast could be imagined than one incident the party witnessed. It was the sight of a Lama priest, the minor Living Buddi fu his ceremonial red robes, taking his seat in fan aeroplane bound on a pilgrimage the holy mountain of Wu Taishan. Throughout the journey he maintained a dignified posture befitting one bent on so lofty a mission, but one could rot help Jwondering whether in his inmost heart the old Lama did not condemn himself for neglecting the establish-Jed custom of making the pilgrimage fon foot. In any case, he was too Jaloof to reveal any reaction to his surroundings and air sickness did rot affect his calm composure.
'Between Sian and Lanchow the fertile plain of Shensi was first} flown over, after which the aere plane rose' to some 12,000 feet to Jeross the Lab Pan-shan range. On eae high, mountaine tree were to be seen, with glimpses of pear blos~ som. Then followed the desolate loess mountains where nothing but bare soil was to be seen as far the eye could reach.
Thick with Snow At Lanchow the party started to make the journey to Sining by car, fanies and until we succeed in establishing throughout the world a more whole-hearted spirit of mutual fnelpfulness we can have mo confidence that progressive world recovery is on its way. alee Gal Way to surrender to General Ma
Jone day. Good work in suppressing ing, was encountered on the read banditry and thus making it safe to travel, is being carried out in Tsinghai by General Ma Pu-fang.
Entering some of the towns in the Sining district at sundown was reiminiscent of a visit to Arabia, for the muezzin would be heard calling the faithful to evening prayer. Many towns are nimest entirely Mohammedan and though the inhabitants wear Chinese dress their type remains true, and a change to Durnous and flowing robes would only bring out the clear out features ind deep burning eyes of the older race. Sundown is the signal for Jclosing the city gates after which entry until the next morning is impossible to obtain.
Set in a fertile valley, its golden temple roof glinting in the sunshine Jand its thousands of one storey cells built in regular rows, Kumbun, famous lamaserai of Shensi prov ice presented a remarkable sight to the travellers. "Some three four thousand Lama monks live in this monastery which isa fine example of such institutions. Clad in their robes of dusky red, the count. less. monks are to be seen walking through the streets or corridors of their monastery-town. Black robed monks act as a police force within the confines, and bear long whips which to chastise errant novices, small boys of ten and twelve,' who cease for a moment to mind their duties and stare at passers-by.
Hillsides and valleys wreathed in pear blossom were the best remem Jbered feature of the neighbourhood of Kweiteh, while the profusion of wild flowers, clematis, "roses and conies, to name but three of the most, beautiful, filled the eye with delight during the journey through
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.