JAPAN. 265 



ftquential fluxes. It has alfo been ufed with much fuccefs as 

 an antifeptic, in cafes of a putrid diffolved ftate of the blood, by 

 the great phyficians Huxbam and Pringle. In 'Japan it is fold 

 perfumed, and made up in various forms for the ufe chiefly of 

 the ladies, who hold it in great efteem to fallen their teeth, and 

 give a fweetnefs to their breath. 



The Japanefe are fond of good paintings, and the rich will Paintings. 

 give immenfe prices for pieces of merit. As to their own artifts 

 they are on a level with thofe of the Cbinefey but excel us greatly 

 in the beauty of their colors. 



Their cabinet-works, and the feveral things which go under Japan Works. 

 the common name of Japan, are well known for the excellency of 

 the varnifli, which furpafles that of all the world. The black alfo 

 is moft intenfe, and the coloring or painting exquifite ; as to the 

 brafs furniture of the cabinets, it is very coarfe and clumfy. 

 But the Japanefe excel in iron manufailures ; their metal is of Steel. 

 the beft quahty ; their arms are mulkets, bows and arrows, dag- 

 gers, and fcymitars. The laft of a moft remarkable temper ; it 

 is cuftomary to try the edge on the bodies of executed malefac- 

 tors, which they cut to pieces by way of experiment. 



When I am on the fubjedl of arms, I may mention the mi- army. 

 litary of the empire. It is computed that the Handing army con- 

 fifts of a hundred thoufand foot and twenty thoufand horfe. \n 

 a kingdom which can have no foreign wars, nor fears inteftine 

 tumults, this is furprifing ; but fince the confpiracy of the Por~ 

 tuguefe, and the extirpation of Ghriftianity, the emperors have 

 been in conftant fears of plots and invafions from the European 

 powers. 



Vol. III. M m Let 



