1889.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 93 



from its long and arduous service, and a fresh supply brought 

 into use. This privilege was for a time invariably declined. 

 At length, after a week's absence from home comforts, and 

 fearing that the reputation of foreigners for cleanliness was 

 in danger, I ventured to accept the favor, charging my ser- 

 vant to see that the bath was suitably prepared. He soon 

 announced it ready, led the way through a long hall to the 

 kitchen, or open area of the hotel, and pointed to a small 

 recess, in which was the bath-tub. It was a short rectangu- 

 lar trough of wood, projecting up through the bottom of 

 which, near one end, was the usual iron cylinder, or furnace, 

 full of burning charcoal. In the midst of the kitchen, in full 

 view of the bath, sat the women and servants of the house, 

 and several transient wayfarers. I looked nervously for 

 slides with with to screen the bath, but was told that none 

 were used. Less bold than Cassius, "upon the word, 

 accoutered as I was, I plunged " not in, but quietly withdrew, 

 and bade my servant follow, compromising the matter with 

 a cold douche in a room adjoiaiing my apartments. 



Riding along the highways of the country, one not in- 

 frequently sees the members of a family bathing in a tub 

 set by the roadside, or near the house, in any position 

 convenient for fuel and water. 



It is proper to add that, in deference to foreign sentiment 

 and the native fruit thereof, the promiscuous bathing of the 

 sexes is now disappearing. 



If the use of soap is in truth an indication of a people's 

 civilization, these were not far advanced. Even for shaving, 

 which they practiced upon the scalp, eyebrows and ears, as 

 well as upon the chin, the saliva of the barber was often used 

 as the softening uno;uent. 



It is evident, therefore, that the virtue of excessive clean- 

 liness which writers have attributed to the Japanese, is not 

 altogether deserved. Bathing is practiced rather as a sensu- 

 ous luxury than for personal cleanliness. Their bedding, 

 which consists of thick, matted quilts, is never washed, 

 though sometimes aired. The drainage of their towns often 

 flows into narrow channels, either open or covered with 

 boards, which run along the sides of the street directly in 

 front of the houses. If I were unconsciously transported to 



