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down to the masses of the people, began to appreciate literary studies.' Maritime commerce within the limits of the four seas was encouraged by the Shôgun's government, regular services of junks being established between the principal ports. Nor must we forget that to the Tokugawas is due the foundation1 of the great city of Yedo, with its vast fortifications and its triumphs of art in the shrines of Shiba and Uyeno. It was at this period, too, that the matchless shrines of Nikko were reared in memory of the greatness of Iyeyasu and Iyemitsu.

But throughout all this period of peace and progress the light of the outer world was excluded. The people made the best use of the light they had, but after all it was but dim. The learning by rote of thousands of Chinese characters, and the acquisition of skill in the composition of Chinese and Japanese verse, were little worthy to be the highest literary attainments possible to the most aspiring of the youth of Japan. In the domain of art there was more that was inviting. But scientific knowledge was tantalizingly meagre, and that little was overlaid with Chinese absurdities. When we consider that the isolation of the country was due to no spirit of exclusiveness in the national character,

1 It had existed before the time of Iyeyasu, but as a place of little importance.

that indeed it was the result of a policy that, so to speak, actually went against the grain of the people, how many restless spirits must there have been during these long years who kept longing for more light. Fortunately there was one little chink at Deshima, in the harbour of Nagasaki, and of this some of the more earnest were able to take advantage. Instances can be recorded-and there must be many more of which we can know nothing-of Japanese students displaying the truest heroism in surmounting the difficulties that lay in the way of their learning foreign science.

Mr K. Mitsukuri, in the Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan, relates a most impressive instance of this kind: In the year 1771, a young physician of Yedo, named Sugita, succeeded in obtaining a Dutch book on anatomy. Of the Dutch language he could neither read nor understand a word; but the illustrations interested him, more especially as he noticed that they represented the human organism to be very different from what the Japanese professors of anatomy taught regarding it. He conceived an intense longing to test whether the Dutch or the Japanese theory was correct. An opportunity at length occurred. He was invited to a dissection in the execution grounds of Kozukappara, Yedo. Thither, on the appointed day, he eagerly betook himself,

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along with two friends, Mayeda, who also had a copy of the Dutch book, and Nakagawa; and the result of the investigation was, of course, the thorough confirmation of the Dutch theory. The three friends were overjoyed, and at once formed a determination to master the foreign language. But how were they to proceed? They had no dictionary, and could obtain no teacher. Fortunately, however, through intercourse with the Dutch merchants who periodically came from Nagasaki to pay their respects to the Shôgun, Mayeda had learned the alphabet and about a hundred words. The three met regularly in Mayeda's house, and with his small stock of words, and the help of the illustrations, they laboriously spelt their way through the volume, until, at the end of four years, Sugita had a Japanese work on anatomy ready for publication. This he issued, though at the risk of imprisonment; and he had the satisfaction of not only seeing his book tolerated, but of succeeding in presenting a copy to the Shôgun, who afterwards honoured him with an audience.

How there came at length an unsettled dawn, and after the clouds of this had cleared, a dazzling inpouring of the light, will appear in the next chapter.

F

CHAPTER III.

NEW JAPAN.

Arrival of U. S. Squadron under Commodore Perry—Consternation of Shogun and People-A Hot Debate-Treaty Signed-Southern Clans eager for Downfall of Shôgun-Mikado refuses to Indorse the Treaty-A Decade of Intrigue and Assassination— Distraction of Shôgun's Government-Dissensions at Imperial Court-Resignation of Shôgun-Short but Severe Civil WarThe Restoration-Political and Social Revolution-Ôkubo's Memorial Court transferred to Yedo, now called Tôkiyô or Tôkei-Alteration in Mikado's Mode of Life-Complete Overthrow of Feudalism-The Daimiyôs resign their Fiefs to the Mikado-Commutation of Pensions of ex-Daimiyôs and exSamurai-A Japanese Cincinnatus--Satsuma Rebellion-Reformed Government-Popular Assemblies-Extract from H. E. Ôkuma's Report on the Reforms of the last Thirteen YearsAddress by H. E. Sano at Close of National Exhibition of 1881-The Japanese naturally an Assimilative People-Present Financial Condition of Japan-Japan not 'played out'-Agitation for Revision of Treaties-Spirited Foreign PolicyChristianity necessary for National Welfare.

ON the 7th of July, 1853, Japan was startled out of her slumber by the appearance off Uraga, in the bay of Yedo, of a squadron of four American warships under the command of Commodore Perry. Mr Adams, in his History of Japan, gives a graphic description, from native accounts, of the consternation into which the Shôgun and his ministers were thrown.

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'The Shogun Iyeyoshi, on receiving information by a messenger despatched with all speed by the governor on the spot, was exceedingly troubled, and summoned all the officials to a council. At first the affair seemed so sudden and so formidable, that they were too alarmed to open their mouths, but in the end orders were issued to all the great clans to keep strict watch at various points on the shore, as it was possible that the barbarian vessels might proceed to commit acts of violence. A learned Chinese scholar was sent to Uraga, had an interview with the American Envoy, and returned with the letter (of the American President), which expressed the desire of the United States to establish friendship and intercourse with Japan. Thereupon the Shogun was greatly distressed, and again summoned a council. He also asked the opinion of the Daimiyôs. The assembled officials were exceedingly disturbed, and nearly broke their hearts over consultations which lasted all day and all night. The nobles and retired nobles of Yedo were informed they were at liberty to state any ideas they might have on the subject, and although they all gave their opinions, the diversity of propositions was so great that no decision was arrived at.' Then the citizens of Yedo and the surrounding villages were in great tumult, fearing that there would be a war, for which the country, by long disuse, was