160 



much, hear too much, or can only run away. Their prov- 

 erbs are very apt, as instances cited showed. 



The Japanese are beginning to imitate foreign customs 

 and to think more of the companionship of their wives. 

 It was not until recently that husbands walked out with 

 their wives. The man walked with friends of his own 

 sex, and the woman with hers. 



The lecturer then described the formal way and the 

 elaborate ceremonies with which the Japanese receive a 

 visitor, and gave an amusing account of a call he made 

 on a Prince in 1866. The host received him on his hands 

 and knees, and the guest followed his example. They 

 rose together, and the host apologized for the poor recep- 

 tion. Many curious details were given. The call was 

 made to examine the Prince's collection of pictures. The 

 Japanese does not display his pictures on the walls of his 

 room, but keeps them in a store-house outside, calls a 

 servant, who summons a retainer, who is directed to go 

 to a certain place and bring such a package from such a 

 spot. The pictures are brought in one by one in little 

 boxes and hung up for view. A collection of swords was 

 also exhibited in the same way. It is therefore quite a 

 labor to see any little collection in a gentleman's house. 



Mr. Pfoundes then explained the meanings of the vari- 

 ous works of art hung about the lecture room ; the sig- 

 nificance of the objects represented in the cartoons ; the 

 trees, flowers, etc. He referred to the prevalent super- 

 stitions of the people, their belief in spirit rappings, 

 witchcraft, etc. The mediums are very poor people, and 

 are recognized by the hats they wear. They carry con- 

 tinually a box supposed to contain the head of a dog. 

 Some spirit has entered into this dog and becomes the 

 medium of communication between the two worlds. The 

 mediums were very unwilling to show me any of their 



