1 72 HUNTING THE SEA OTTER. 



Animated with the highest patriotic fervour, and eager 

 for knowledge, with the very language of their homes of 

 exile still unlearned or understood, Argonaut-like they set 

 sail on unknown seas for alien lands with eastern patience 

 and northern determination, calmly satisfied in their own 

 hearts that the end to be obtained was to be more for the 

 good of their country than for themselves, and thus fully 

 compensate for all the difficulties and drawbacks they must 

 encounter. Years must elapse before they could hope to 

 see again their sunny land ; but when they should return, 

 these little bands of ardent spirits, they would bring with 

 them all that the distant west could give that was suitable 

 to the genius of their people. 



England would yield the secrets of her maritime 

 supremacy and naval construction, France and Germany 

 their great military organisations, and, from all, their legal 

 codes, laws, and sciences. 



And already their influences could be seen. War 

 colleges had been erected, staffed with picked European 

 teachers, and filled with eager learners ; a nucleus for the 

 navy of the future formed, and a mercantile marine created. 

 Art they already possessed in no mean form. Literature, 

 with its slow growth, might well be given time. The 

 simple music of the shamisen and the kota was drowned 

 in the martial strains of brass bands by performers whom 

 but a year before had never even conceived the possible 

 existence and fearsome appearance of these instruments 

 which the world's highest civilisation had ordained and 

 blessed as the most appropriate adjuncts to bloodshed and 

 slaughter. 



Nor had railways been forgotten or neglected, for 

 already a couple of useful lines had been opened, with all 

 their necessary paraphernalia, and crowded with business 

 people and holiday makers, who had taken to the wonderful 

 innovation as to the manner born. 



Who can afford to laugh at a people like these, or who 

 can say how far they shall not go ? 



