cut through; and on moving the head, the neck was found to be entirely cut through on the left side. The two first-mentioned wounds had evidently been the first he had received, and had been given while he was on horseback; the last four, or certainly two of them, had been inflicted after he had fallen from his horse, if not after death. A litter having been hastily constructed, the party returned to Kanagawa with the body."

Poor Mr. Richardson! I knew him well. He was a fine manly specimen of a young Englishman, of a mild and conciliatory disposition, and not at all likely to give any wanton offence to the Japanese people. Why then was the party attacked, and why this brutal murder? They were riding along the Imperial highway, within the limits of the settlement provided by treaty with the Government of the Tycoon, and were apparently infringing no law. Perhaps their great offence was this: they did not turn back or out of the way quick enough when they saw the cortége of the great man approaching. But although this was probably the pretext for attacking them, other causes, lying far deeper than this, were not wanting. These are an intense hatred to foreigners of Western nations, and a dread of those innovations and changes which are seen to be coming upon the country, and which will eventually destroy the feudal power.

It is becoming clearer every day that the Government of the Tycoon, with whom we have made

our treaties, is powerless to enforce those treaty rights. The feudal princes, with that curious personage the Mikado, or "Spiritual Emperor," are stronger than the Government at Yedo; and until a change takes place, resulting in the formation of a powerful Government either at Miaco or Yedo, and the destruction of the feudal system, there will, I fear, be little security for the lives of our countrymen in this part of the world. How this is to be accomplished, whether by civil war or by the interference of foreign powers, is at present un

certain.

It would seem that a kind of revolution has already taken place in Yedo. The Japan Herald' of October 25th says, "It was with no small surprise and dismay that the populace of Yedo learned this week that henceforth the highest Daimios are only to visit Yedo once in seven years, and then only for a hundred days at a time; the second class, once in three years only, and then for a hundred days; while the third are to remain as at present; but in their case, as in all the others, their wives and families are no longer to stay in Yedo as hostages, but are to return and to remain in the provinces. This change, it will be seen at a glance, is a great diminution of the splendour of the Tycoon's position. That these highest Daimios, seven years hence, will think of visiting Yedo for a hundred days, no one will be simple enough to believe, or that the second class will return is exceedingly doubtful. Thus shorn of its jewels, the

crown of the Tycoonship becomes that of head of the lower Daimios only. The seat of power will probably, in no long time, be removed to Miaco."

A correspondent of the Times' (December 29) gives another and different version of the same story:

"The Government of His Majesty the Tycoon of Japan issued a notification at Yedo on the 19th of October, to the effect that all Daimios or Princes (excepting only those of the blood Royal, and also those intrusted with the direction of affairs) should respectively withdraw to their principalities.

"Henceforth the Government make it no longer compulsory on them to reside at Yedo; they will be called up once in three years to the metropolis for the space of a hundred days.

"The Princes of Awarri, Mito, and Kishni, being of the blood Royal, they will reside at Yedo by turns of one year each, one remaining while the other two are permitted to withdraw to their ancestral territories.

"A further notification has been issued imposing sumptuary restrictions, and recommending economy, both in clothing and living, to the people of Japan, high and low.

"A brother of the late Tycoon has been appointed Prince Regent since the demise of the late Emperor up to the present crisis. He belonged to the priesthood, but, owing to his high consanguinity, coupled with his great talents, he has been summoned to this important post.

"N.B. It is impossible to assign the true motives for such sudden and radical changes, but it does appear as though the Government of the Tycoon was much stronger than has hitherto been conceded. It is thought possible that greater liberality to foreigners may follow these events, and that a variety of restrictions hitherto imposed upon native traders may be gradually removed."

If the latter version of this strange story prove to be the correct one, better days may be in store for Japan than we had dared to hope for. It is very difficult for foreigners to understand the proceedings of this remarkable people, and future events alone can enable us to comprehend those of the present or of the past.

CHAPTER XVI.

Climate of Japan - Dr. Hepburn's tables - Hottest and coldest months Gales of wind-The rainy season

Monsoons

- Earthquakes

- Agriculture- Rank of the farmer- Rocks and soil- Cultivation of winter cropsSeed-time and harvest-Curious mode of harvesting-Summer crops on dry land-Mode of plantingManures - Crops requiring irrigation Cultivation of riceAnimals few in number- Waste lands - Crops and

Other crops

seasons.

In the preceding chapters of this work I have noticed, from time to time, the operations of the Japanese husbandman. But the agriculture of Japan is a subject of considerable interest, and one. which is worthy of more than a passing notice. In order that it may be better understood I shall first endeavour to give an account of the climate of the country.

The empire of Japan covers a space of about 15 degrees of latitude, and is placed between 30° and 45° north. It consists of four large islands, namely, Kiu-siu, Sikok, Nipon, and Yesso, and occupies a position on the eastern side of Asia not unlike that of the British Islands on the west of Europe, only considerably further to the south. Like China it is liable to extremes of temperature -to excessive heat in summer and great cold in