Ch. xii. China and Japan. 223 



metropolis, in the capitals of the provinces and in 

 the places of the greatest commerce, their num- 

 ber is the most considerable; but many are found 

 in parts that are less frequented, and even in the 

 country. As the houses in towns are more crowded 

 together, the practice is more obvious ; but every 

 where these poor unfortunate infants have need 

 of assistance."* 



In the same work, part of an edict to prevent 

 the drowning of children runs thus : " When the 

 " tender offspring just produced is thrown without 

 "pity into the waves, can it be said that the 

 " mother has given or that the child has received 

 " life, when it is lost as soon as it is begun to be 

 " enjoyed? The poverty of the parents is the cause 

 " of this crime. They have hardly enough to sup- 

 " port themselves, much less are they able to pay 

 " a nurse and provide for the expenses necessary 

 " for the support of their children. This drives 

 " them to despair ; and not being able to bring 

 " themselves to suffer two people to die that one 

 " may live, the mother, to preserve the life of her 

 " husband, consents to sacrifice her child. It 

 " costs much, however, to the parental feelings, 

 " but the resolution is ultimately taken, and they 

 " think that they are justified in disposing of the 

 " life of their child to prolong their own. If they 

 " exposed their children in a secret place, the 

 " babe might work upon their compassion with 

 " its cries. What do they do then ? They throw 



* Lettres Edit", torn. xix. p. 111. 



