MONGOLIA
488
MONGOLIA
pecially the latter, who in physical appearance differ but little, if at all, from other European nations.
The Monjjols are, with a few exceptions, nomadic in their mode of life, living in tents and subsisting on ani- mal food, tlie product of their Hocks and herds. The Mongol tent, for about three feet from the ground, is cylindrical in form ; it then becomes conical, like a pointed hat. Its wood-work is composed below of a trellis-work of crossetl bars, which fold up and expand at pleasure. Above these a circle of poles, fixed in the trellis-work, meets at the top, like the slicks of an um- brella. Over the wood-work is stretched a thick cover- ing of coarse felt. The door is low and narrow, and is crossed at the bottom by a beam which serves as a threshold. At the top of the tent is an opening to let out the smoke, which can at any time be closed by a piece of felt hanging above it, to which is attached a long string for the purpose. The interior is divided into two compartments — that on the left being for the men, while that on the right is occupied by the women, and is also used as a kitclien, the utensils of which con- sist chiefly of large earthen vessels for holding water, wooden pails for milk, and a large bell-shaped iron ket- tle. A small sofa or couch, a small scpiare press or chest of drawers (the top of which serves as an altar for an idol), and a number of goats' horns fixed in the wood- work of the tent, on wliich hang various utensils, arms, and other articles, complete the furniture of this primi- tive habitation. The odor pervading the interior of the Jlongol tent is, to those not accustomed to it, dis- gusting and almost insupportable. "This smell," says M. Hue, "so potent sometimes' that it seems to make one's heart rise to one's throat, is occasioned by the mutton-grease and butter with which everything on and about a Tartar is impregnated. It is on account of this habitual filth that they are called Tsao-Ta-Dze ('stinking Tartars') by the Chinese, themselves not altogether inodorous, or bj' any means particular about cleanliness." Household and family cares among the Mongols are assigned entirely to the women, who milk the cows, make the butter and cheese, draw water, gather fuel, tan skins, and make cloth and clothes. The occupation of the men consists chiefly in conducting the flocks and herds to pasture, which, as they are ac- customed from infancy to horseback, is an amusement rather than a labor. They sometimes hunt wild ani- mals for food or for their skins, but never for pleasure. When not on horseback, the men pass their time in ab- solute idleness, sleeping all night and squatting all day in their tents, drinking tea or smoking. Their educa- tion is very limited. Tlie only persons who learn to read are the lamas or priests, who are also the painters, sculptors, architects, and physicians of tlie nation. The training of the men who are not intended for priests is confined to the use of the bow and the matchlock, and a thorough mastery of horsemanship. JI. Hue says: "When a mere inl^ant, the Mongol is weaned, and as soon as he is strong enough he is stuck upon a liorse's back behind a man, tlie animal is put to a gallop, and the juvenile rider, in order not to fall off, has to cling with both hands to his teacher's jacket. The Tartars thus become accustomed from a very early age to the movement of tlie horse, and by degrees and the force of haliit tliey identify tliemselves, as it were, with the animal. Tlierc is perhaps no spectacle more exciting than that of Mongol riders in cliase of a wild horse. Tiiey are armed witli a long, heavy |)(ile, at the end of whicli is a running-knot. They galloj)— they Hy after the horse they arc ptirsinng. down rugged ravines and up precipitous liills, in and out, twisting and turning in their rapid course, until tliey come up with their game. Tliey then take the bridle of their own liorsc in tlicir teeth, seize with both liands tlieir heavy pole, and, bending forward, throw by a jiowerful etlort the run- ning-knot around the wild horse's ncik. In tins exer- cise the greatest vigor must be combined willi the greatest dexterity, in order to enable tlicm to stop short
the powerful untamed animals with which they have to deal. It sometimes happens that the cord and pole are broken ; but as to a horseman being thrown, it is an occurrence we never saw or heard of. Tlie Mongol is so accustomed to ride on horseljack that he is like a tish out of water when he sets foot on the ground. His step is heavy and awkward; and his bowed legs, his chest bent forward, and his constant looking about him, all indicate a person who spends the greater portion of his time on the back of a horse or a camel. The Mon- gols marry very young, and their marriages are regu- lated entirely by their parents, who make the contract without considting the young jjcople at all. Xo dowry is given with tlie bride, but, on the contrary', the bride- groom's family pay a considerable price for the maiden. A plurality of wives is permitted, but the first wife is always the mistress of the household. Divorce is very frequent, and is effected without the intervention of either the civil or the ecclesiastical authorities. The husband wlio wishes to repudiate his wife sends her back to her parents without anj' formality, except a message that he does not require her any longer. This proceeding does not give offence, as the family of the lady retain the cattle, horses, and other property given to them at the time of the marriage, and have an op- portunity of selling her over again to a fresh purchaser. The women, however, are not oppressed, and are not kept in seclusion ; thej' come and go at pleasure, ride on horseback, and visit from tent to tent. In their manners and appearance they are like the men — haugh- ty, independent, and vigorous. The chiefs of the Jlon- gol tribes and all their blood-relations form an aristoc- racy, who hold the common people in a mild species of patriarchal servitude. There is no distinction of man- ners nor of mode of living between these classes ; and though the common people are not allowed to own lands, they frequently accumulate considerable property in herds and flocks. Those who become lamas are en- tirely free."