The Russian priests have made very few converts among the Bouriats, though laboring zealously ever since the conquest of Siberia.  In 1680 a monastery was founded at Troitsk for the especial purpose of converting the natives.  The number who have been baptized is very small, and most of them are still pagans at heart.  Two English missionaries lived a long time at Selenginsk, but though earnest and hard working I am told they never obtained a single proselyte.

It is a curious fact in the history of the Bouriats that Shamanism was almost universal among them two hundred years ago; practically it differed little from that of the natives on the Amoor.  Toward the end of the seventeenth century a mission went from Siberia to Thibet, and its members returned as lamas and bringing the paraphernalia of the new religion which they at once declared to their people.  The Bhudistic faith was thus founded and spread over the country until Shamanism was gradually superseded.  Traces of the old superstition are still visible in certain parts of the lama worship.

Most of their religious property, such as robes, idols, cups, bells, and other necessaries for the Bhudhist service come from Thibet.  A Russian gentleman gave me a bell decorated with holy inscriptions and possessing a remarkably fine tone.  Its handle was the bust and crown of a Bhudhist idol, and the bell was designed for use in religious services; it was to be touched only by a disciple of the true faith, and its possession prophesied good fortune.  Since my return to America it occupied a temporary place on the dining-table of a New England clergyman.

[Illustration:  A MONGOL BELL.]

The Bouriats manufacture very few articles for their own use; they sell their sheep to the Russians, and buy whatever they desire.  Their dress is partly Mongol and partly Russian, the inconvenient portions of the Chinese costume being generally rejected.  Their caps were mostly conical in shape, made of quilted cloth and ornamented with a silken tassel attached to the apex.  Their trowsers had a Chinese appearance, but their coats were generally of sheepskin, after the Russian model.  Their waist-belts were decorated with bits of steel or brass.  They shave the head and wear the hair in a queue like the Chinese, but are not careful to keep it closely trimmed.  A few are half Mongol and half Russian, caused no doubt by their owners being born and reared under Muscovite protection.  I saw many pleasing and intelligent countenances, but few that were pretty according to Western notions.  There is a famous Bouriat beauty of whose charms I heard much and was anxious to gaze upon.  Unfortunately it was two o’clock in the morning when we reached the station where she lived.  The unfashionable hour and a big dog combined to prevent my visiting her abode.

[Illustration:  A MONGOL BELLE.]