320 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



complexions, finely-developed forms, desire to please, 

 and over-beaming cheerfulness. Indeed there was 

 nothing which struck me so much everywhere, and 

 with all classes in Japan, as the unmistakable and 

 unvarying happiness of the people. Certainly, if 

 that is to be the test of national success, they have 

 surpassed all nations. Never did I hear a word 

 spoken in anger, or behold a cross, uncomfortable 

 look ; and their faces present either aspects of calm 

 complacency, of smiling enjoyment, or of hearty 

 amusement. If this be sometimes hypocrisy, it is a 

 hypocrisy so like reality as to be quite as good as it, 

 and quite undistinguishable from it. If hypocrisy, 

 it is even more wonderful, and quite as admirable, as 

 the reality could be ; for the display of suffering and 

 annoyance is very disagreeable to others, and society 

 owes much to those who always present a smiling 

 face, whatever their internal feelings may be. In 

 this respect our highest and most civilised classes 

 resemble the people of the far East. 



" It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles," 



when our spirits shall float into the serenity of other 

 airs than those we breathe on earth ; but he who has 

 visited the country of the " Sun's Origin " has already 

 had a foretaste of what they may be. 



Towards the east end of the Suwo Nada that 

 sea opened out widely, and, leaving the Kino Channel 

 on our right, we found ourselves in a vast bay, the 



