XVIII.] 



SHIMONOSEKI. 



687 



animal that is industriously searched for and eaten by the 

 natives. Among the cultivated plants we saw here, as many 

 times before in the high-lying parts of the country, an old 

 acquaintance from home, namely buckwheat. 



The second time the Vega anchored at a peasant village right 

 opposite Shimonoseki. When we landed there came an oiBficial 

 on board, courteously declaring that we had no right to land at 

 that place. But he was immediately satisfied and made no 

 more difficulties when he was informed that we had the 

 permission of the Governor, and that instead of the usual pass- 

 port an official from Kobe accompanied the vessel. Shimonoseki 



ENTRANCE TO NAGASAKI. 



has a melancholy reputation in European-Japanese history from 

 the deeds of violence done here by a united English, French, 

 Dutch, and American fleet of seventeen vessels on the 4th 

 and 5th September, 1864, in order to compel the Japanese to 

 open the sound to foreigners, and the unreasonably heavy 

 compensation which after the victory was won they demanded 

 from the conquered. Although only fifteen years have passed 

 since this occurred, there appears to be no trace of bitter feeling 

 towards Europeans among the inhabitants of the region. At 

 least we were received at the village in the neighbourhood of 

 which we landed with extraordinary kindness. The village was 



