Hitherto there have been two forms, that of Shento or Shinto, and Buddha, but the latter has been lately abolished by edict; and the priests sent away from the temples. It is said also, that emissaries have gone to visit all the countries of Europe to make observations and enquiries, and bring back a report on the different forms of Christianity, and then, probably, the Mikado or his councillors, will make up their minds which of them it is best to make the Established Church of the Empire.

Everything is done "by edict" under the Japanese government, even to the cutting or non-cutting of the hair. The order now issued is for the latter, à propos of which an English lady told me she had asked her servant how he liked letting his hair grow-to which he replied he did not like it at all, it made him scratch too much, which statement I doubt not was correct, as the Jappish head in its natural state is much like a shoe brush, with its coarse mass of thick black hair. They certainly are not a handsome race, for though we have occasionally seen a few tall, good-looking specimens of the nation, they are as a rule short and ill-made, and if the Darwinian theory be correct, I should say they must be several generations nearer the

parent monkey than we are, or even than their Chinese neighbours.

The total absence of intellect, in the expression of most of the women's faces, is greatly accounted for by the fact of their entire want of education, and the very low rank they have been allowed to hold in the social scale. Not only have they never received the respect due to reasonable beings in this life, but their prospect of a share in any future state, has actually been denied them. This state of things is now happily being changed by an edict which places them more on a footing with their Lords and Masters. The old custom of blackening the teeth when married, is also being gradually abolished, and as the dye requires frequent application, even those who have hitherto been obliged to conform to the hideous practice, may profit by this result of advancing civilization.

A still further improvement would it be to the dark-eyed fair sex of Japan, were they forbidden the use of paint and flour, with which they cover neck and face with a most unsparing and unartistic hand! As far as we have seen they do not appear to be in the habit of wearing much jewelry, the Obé being to the women, swords are to the men, their greatest point of extravagance. These obés are worn round the

as

waist like a sash, but are finished at the back with a thick kind of hump, and are often made of very costly materials.

On no subject is there a more marked improvement than in the sense of decency which has been acquired since H.'s last visit, when the cleanliness of their habits was demonstrated in rather too open a manner by people of both sexes, whereas now these public ablutions are totally discontinued. On the point of cleanliness there is a certain amount of inconsistency, for the attention which, as has been seen, they bestow on their houses and person, is by no means extended to their clothes. The result is, of course, extremely disagreeable, especially in the case of the clothed Ginrikshamen, the odour of whose unwashed apparel is most unpleasant when warm, and still more so when thrust under the seat, as it often is, when they are beyond the bounds of the European settlements, where their wearing it is enforced. There is evidently the want of an edict on the subject! Ere many years are over however, it seems as if all national peculiarities, good, bad, and indifferent, would disappear, should no counter revolution take place to check the rapidity with which all old things are passing away. Schools are being established all over the country to teach the people

English. Naval and Military men, as well as numerous civilians from Europe and America, are engaged to instruct them in the arts and sciences of other nations, courts of judicature, it is said, are to be established on the model of those in England, and it is even added that the English language alone, is to be used in all legal cases.

And now we have bid adieu to Japan and the Japanese-very sorry for doing so without seeing more of so beautiful a land, and so curious a people.

We shall have one more glimpse of our respectable, steady-going conservative old friends, the Chinese, as we are to stop at Hong-Kong for a day, and then--farewell to the East!

NOTE A., p. 167.

THE school here alluded to is well worth especial notice as one of those quiet, unassuming, good works that are going on, not only among our own people at home, but in many a far corner of the earth, without the busy world being even aware of their existence.

The first object of the school is to train the female children of native converts, of whom there are now about sixteen or eighteen, who are boarded, clothed, and supported at the expense of the Church Missionary Society.

The school is under the superintendence of Miss Laurence, assisted by a native matron and a pupil teacher.

The annual cost for the support of each girl is about £7 or £8. One of the present inmates of the school, a very promising blind orphan girl, has been provided for during her lifetime by a lady in England, who was much touched by reading an account of Miss Laurence's work, and who has promised an annual gift of £10 for the entire support of this little adopted daughter.

The school-house, which has been built by a liberal grant from the Society, and the aid of friends in England, is situated in the heart of the city, and adjoining the residence of Bishop Russell of North China. There is ample accommodation for an extension of the work on which Miss Laurence is most anxious to enter-viz., a day-school for heathen children. Funds for this branch of the work, and also for the support of Bible-women-whom Miss Laurence employs in the Lake District, a few miles from the city—are much needed. But there is another want which I should indeed rejoice if any reader of these pages should be moved to