S I M D A . 



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succeeded to this important function, Simoda has declined and become comparatively a poverty- 

 stricken place. There is not much appearance of commercial activity in the Y>ort, but tliere 

 still is some inconsiderable business carried on through it, between the interior of the country 

 and various places on the Japanese coast. lu front of the town there is a depot for small junks 

 and boats, artificially constructed by means of dykes and a breakwater. This is connected 

 with the river, which flows through the valley, that extends into the interior, and the boats 

 are thus enabled when the tide, which rises about five feet, is at its height, to float in, and sail 

 up the stream. Rude docks exist for building and launching vessels, and these show some 

 evidence of activity in the numbers of junks, about which there are always numerous laborers, 

 more or less busy at work, constructing and repairing. Near these docks, picturesquely 

 bordered by a row of stately inne trees, in the shade of which stands a small slirine, there is 

 a landing place which, however, is not very easily reached by ships boats when the tide is low. 

 The town of .Simoda is compactly built, and regularly laid out. The streets intersect each 

 other at right angles, and most of them are guarded by light wooden gates, with the names of 

 the streets marked upon their hollow posts, within which are the stations of the watchmen. 

 Through the town a small stream passes, the sides of which are walled with stone, and across 

 it are thrown four small wooden bridges, which connect the opposite banks. The streets are 

 about twenty feet in width, and are partly macadamized and partly paved. Simoda shows an 



Street and Entrance to Chief Temple, Simoda. 



advanced state of civilization, much beyond our own boasted progress in the attention of its 

 constructors to the cleanliness and healthfulness of the place. Tliere are not only gutters, 

 but sewers, which drain the refuse water and filth directly into the sea or the small stream 

 which divides the town. 



