PAST AND PRESENT. 219 



At places where numbers of people either pass 

 through or resort to on holidays, fair-days, or as 

 pilgrims, when en route to some favourite or noted 

 shrine, the number of tea-houses is very great. Put- 

 ting up at these resting-places is exceedingly pleasant 

 during the summer. 



Japanese fare is rather light for western constitu- 

 tions ; but many of their dishes are exceedingly good, 

 and with a little addition in the way of tinned meat, I 

 found I could get on very well. As a rule these people 

 retire early, and are up with the first streaks of light. 

 Sometimes I have known the whole village assemble 

 after working hours, and spend almost the whole night 

 talking and tea-drinking. The children on these occa- 

 sions of festivity are placed on the matted flooring, and 

 covered over with their quilted sleeping-garments, a 

 mosquito-curtain being hung up round them. 



Quarrelling does not often occur ; it is quite the 

 exception. When they do quarrel, however, it is rather 

 serious, knives being used at once. 



The attention and care the Buddhists take of their 

 burial-places might well serve as an example to us. 

 Beside the grave is always a small saucer filled with 

 rice, and a joint of bamboo or other vessel to hold 

 water. Flowers in the summer, and green boughs or 



