228 PAST AND PRESENT. 



besides, generally great pets. Of course I did not 

 deprive the small farmer of his fowl, his only clock, 

 and his children's pet. 



The poorest individual in the country lives in 

 luxury compared to our humble classes. Their wants 

 are few, and those few easily obtained. In the summer 

 clothing is all but unnecessary ; and during the winter 

 fuel is cheap and plentiful. One of the great secrets of 

 their well-being is the absence of drunkenness : tea is 

 their main drink. The native spirit, called " saki," is, 

 of course, drunk by the people, but in quite a different 

 way from what the poorer classes in England do, i.e. in 

 moderation. 



Speaking of saki reminds me of an occasion when 

 I was staying in a Buddhist temple, situated on the top 

 of a mountain (Asama Yama) — in fact, there were seven 

 temples clustered together. The old chief priest invited 

 me to visit him. He lived at one end of the temple ; 

 and here I found him surrounded with books of every 

 description, histories, geographies, and astronomical 

 works predominating. Before his open-sided rooms 

 was a lovely miniature garden, with a pond of clear 

 fresh water, where an enormous tame carp lazily en- 

 joyed life, coming constantly to the old priest's feet for 

 bits of biscuit, sugar-plums, and rice. This priest of 



