84 DEER-SHOOTING AND OTHEE MATTERS. 



ought or expect to be called — are common, for every 

 one shoots who likes, and eats the spoils of the chase 

 afterwards. In former times deer would often be met 

 with just outside the houses of a village, and the early 

 riser was sure to see some strolling up and down the 

 street. Fond of hunting deer as I am — in fact, I think 

 there is no sport like it when they are really wild, 

 wary animals, — nothing would have induced me to kill 

 one of these beautiful creatures which by kind treat- 

 ment, and being unmolested by usually their bitterest 

 enemy, man, had become more than half-tame. 



I landed once on the island of Kingkosan, a sacred 

 locality on the east coast. An ancient temple still 

 stands on a beautiful spot, clustered round with grand 

 old trees, patriarchs of the surrounding forest. No 

 woman was ever allowed to put her dainty foot on the 

 island. The shrine was to be visited by man alone ; 

 but since Western ideas had been so profusely intro- 

 duced, even this spot, so far away from the centres of 

 new enlightenment, had fallen sadly from its time- 

 honoured customs ; and instead of the shrine being 

 visited by crowds of pilgrims, and the place being kept 

 up in its ancient order and neatness, it was allowed to 

 fall into disuse and decay. The priests of old were 

 represented by a being dressed in a black suit of cast-off 



