181 '^ILISRARY 



NOTES OF TRAVEL IN JAPAN. 



(By \V. H.\(.UE Harrington.) 



(Delivered [atuiary I4th^ iSg2.) 



On Thursday, the 14th of January, Mr. W. Hague Harrington 

 delivered an address on some of the physical and natural history 

 features of Japan as observed by him in his visit to the Sunrise King- 

 dom during the preceding summer. Hilly and well-wooded land was 

 seen from the Empfcss of India on the nth August, some three hun- 

 dred miles northward of Yokohama. The following morning at day- 

 light the Gulf of Tokio was entered, and the run up this capacious bay 

 about thirty miles to Yokohama (Tokio lying at the head several miles 

 beyond) was very charming, the shores on either side being clothed 

 with foliage and with a succession of villages lining the bays at the foot 

 of the hills. Great numbers of junks and fishing craft enlivened the 

 waters, and when the steamer anchored off Yokohama, the water being 

 shallow, she was immediately surrounded by scores of sampans and 

 other craft, with military, police, customs, medical, post-office and 

 other officials, and the scene was very animated and interesting. Mr. 

 Harrington was met by his tvvo brothers (Rev. F. G. Harrington 

 and Rev. C. K. Harrington), who reside in Yokohama, and fiom 

 his landing to the termination of his visit, ten weeks later, enjoyed 

 every niTment and found ever new features of interest To be in a 

 country where the people, dress, customs, dwellings and almost every- 

 thing observed are so strikingly different from those of America was in 

 itself a guarantee of pleasurable excitement. 



An early visit was made to Hakone, the favourite summer resort 

 of many foreigners, and a district of a very beautiful character. The 

 village of Hakone is situated on a lake (nearly four miles long and 

 2,400 feet above sea level), which apparently lies in the crater of an 

 ancient volcano, and which is surrounded by fine wooded or grass- 

 covered hills. In the vicinity are many hot springs of varied tempera- 

 ture and qualities, while about two miles from the head of the lake is 

 an extensive solfatara or volcanic gorge from which rise steaming 

 vapours. The native name is Ojikoku (Big Hell), and beneath the de- 

 composed sutface may be hearJ the boiling waters. It 'S necessary to 



