Difficulty that we succeeded in fighting
our way to the door, and thus making our escape.
After this little fray, our guide conducted us to the dwelling of
the Holy - Pigs! {105} A beautiful stone hall is set apart for their
use, which hall these remarkable divinities fill, in spite of all
the care bestowed on them, with so horrible a stench, that it is
impossible to approach them without holding one's nose. They are
taken care of and fed until death summons them away. When we
visited the place there were only a pair of these fortunate beings,
and their number rarely exceeds three couples.
I was better pleased with the residence of a bonze, which adjoined
this holy spot. It consisted of a sitting-room and bed-room merely,
but was very comfortably and elegantly fitted up. The walls of the
sitting-room were ornamented with carved wood-work, and the
furniture was old-fashioned and pleasing: at the back of the
apartment, which was flagged, stood a small altar.
We here saw an opium-eater, lying stretched out upon a mat on the
floor. At his side was a cup of tea, with some fruit and a little
lamp, besides several pipes, with bowls that were smaller than a
thimble.
