230 LECTURE XTIII. 



was repeated over and over again, and thus 

 they kept up their brutal contest until their 

 foreheads were besmeared with blood, and the 

 flesh on their chests rose in great swellings from 

 the repeated blows. All these huge men ex- 

 hibited their strength in like manner in succes- 

 sion. It was a brutal and savage sight, and 

 one which would only be exhibited in a country 

 of heathens. Let us be thankful that our lot is 

 cast in a very different one. 



When the Americans landed their presents, 

 the Japanese showed an extraordinary degree of 

 curiosity to see everything. Besides this, they 

 followed the officers and men about, and seized 

 every opportunity to examine each part of their 

 dress. The caps, boots, swords, and tailed coats 

 of the officers, the jackets and trousers of the 

 men, all came in for the closest scrutiny. They 

 fingered the broad cloth, smoothed down the 

 nap, fathomed the depth of a pocket, and peered 

 curiously into the inner recesses of the seamen's 

 dress. They showed a peculiar passion for but- 

 tons, and would again and again ask for one, 

 and, when they procured it, stowed it away, as 

 if it were of the greatest value. 



On visiting the American ships, they looked 



