74 Extracts from Diary in Japan. 



bably is not excelled in beauty, grandeur, and variety of 

 trees by any park in the world. 



Near Yedo is the Katakushi, or experimental farm, and 

 Horticultural Gardens, which hitherto have been presided 

 over by Americans. The whole affair has been very costly, 

 with very poor result. 



The military organisation is principally at Yedo; the 

 cavalry, infantry, and artillery and arsenal, are under the 

 supervision of Colonel Munier and staff, who are sent out 

 by the French Government at the request of the Japanese 

 Government. The Naval Department is organised by 

 English officers, selected by the English Government. 



Japan has about one hundred thousand troops, well armed 

 with the best breech-loading firearms, and artillery, and all 

 well clothed in smart European costumes. The greatest 

 credit is due to the French officers. Many of the Japanese 

 officers appear to be as smart as their European instructors ; 

 and when in their gold lace or red uniform, &c., it is difficult 

 to distinguish one from the other. 



Throughout Japan there is an immense and most efficient 

 police force, entirely controlled by Japanese officers. 



The European banks are the Oriental, the London Char» 

 tered, the Shanghae, Comptoir d' Escompt, and German 

 bank. These are all at Yokohama; Mitsues, the Government 

 bank, is alone at Yedo. The currency is the silver Mexican 

 dollar and the Japanese gold yen, of about equal value, of 4s. 



All the Legations are at Yedo, the British and Kussian 

 being the most imposing; these two having erected fine 

 buildings on large commanding sites. The Italian and 

 German are in proximity, but the French still remains 

 between Yedo and Shinagawa, where the English Legation 

 originally was, outside Yedo. 



The Legations are all presided over by ministers, who 

 have been especially well chosen by their respective nations; 

 under the ministers are consuls and vice-consuls. Yedo 

 is the great centre of commerce. The exports-— which are 

 silk, tea, china (porcelain), tobacco, rice, copper, and various 

 articles, chiefly fancy goods — -nearly all pass through Yedo 

 to Yokohama by water or rail, except those which are shipped 

 from other open ports ; all open ports have a customs 

 department. 



The revenue of Japan, as published by the Japanese 

 Treasurer, is £17,000,000 sterling, chiefly raised by a land 



