66 CUERENTS AND TYPHOONS. 



incognita, how we dreaded this current. In reality, 

 after once getting within its influence, we were never 

 certain, if it came on thick or foggy, or at night, when 

 the coast could not be seen, where we were going, at 

 what speed we were being carried along, or in what 

 dangers and scrapes we were likely to find ourselves 

 entangled. I have heard of vessels being carried dead 

 to windward against a heavy gale of wind at a wonderful 

 speed; other ships, thinking themselves close off the 

 coast, suddenly finding they were far away to tlie 

 south, being carried hither and thither amongst the 

 islands and rocks. This " Kuro Siwo " was, in fact, a 

 very ugly customer. Time, however, brought wonderful 

 changes. The Japanese erected excellent lighthouses 

 along their coasts, and for several years now all this 

 part has been as well lighted as the coast of England. 

 Of course the navigation of these formerly dangerous 

 seas now became simple enough, and the current so 

 much dreaded before was made of the greatest service 

 in running along the coast. If all the things which the 

 Japanese were persuaded or obliged to take in hand 

 were as well executed, as honestly and straightfor- 

 wardly carried out, as the construction and working of 

 the lighthouse department has been, they might well 

 be congratulated, and many foreigners have less cause 

 to feel shame. 



