quietly, the colour of the flowers being- 

 first touched upon, and diiferent ex- 

 pressions being suited to different tints. 



We do not usually regard Japan as a 

 country of vivid colouring, yet during 

 the end of September the tender green 

 of the rice-fields changes into brown, 

 the jay flies shrieking through the 

 woods and among the old pines, and 

 the mountain forests clothe themselves 

 in colours which are even more brilliant 

 than the livery of scarlet and gold of 

 our forest trees. At this season comes 

 the kiku in all its glory. 



England had her " Wars of the 

 Roses," which were waged only be- 

 tween rival houses, whereas Japan 

 has had her " Wars of the Chrysan- 

 themums" between rival dynasties. 

 These wars lasted longer and were 

 more bitterly contested than those in 

 Britain; for fifty-six years, from 13?6 

 to 1392, when the members of the 

 177 



