no Japan and the Japanese, 
of cloth made from the bark of trees in summer. This 
latter is woven by the women, who labour very unremittingly 
both in outdoor and indoor occupations. Like most un- 
civilized tribes, they seem to have a passion for ornaments? 
and, in spite of their surroundings and ignorance, exhibit 
qualities of mind and disposition which would compare 
favourably with some of the outcasts of the great cities and 
towns of England. 
One theory has lately been started in regard to the origin 
of the Japanese, which, although received with ridicule and 
incredulity, has been enthusiastically advocated by some 
writers. It is that the Japanese are a portion of the ten lost 
tribes of Israel, and in this way are the descendants of Jacob. 
A Mr. Norman McLeod has published two volumes, in which 
he explains very forcibly his reasons for coming to this con- 
clusion. He says that the word Shinto means the doctrine 
of the God of Heaven " ; that Shinto temples are called 
yashirOy which means "pure and holy tabernacles," and are 
divided into holy and most holy places ; that Shinto priests 
resemble the Jewish priests, while the emperor is the 
national high-priest. He traces relics of Hebrew idolatry 
in the present worship of the Japanese. Thus, these people 
have learnt to hold serpents and heifers in idolatrous estima- 
tion ; so also did the ancient Israelites. The Israelites 
buried their kings by the side of their temples ; so also do 
the Japanese. Illustrations are formed on their walls and 
temples, which correspond with various devices and em- 
blems in Solomon's temple. Relics of antiquity such as 
were found at Nineveh, are represented in Japan. Fruits, 
flowers, and trees indigenous to Palestine, are to be found 
in Japan ; while among some of the people the Israelitish 
cast of feature can be plainly traced. On these and other 
accounts, he concludes that part of the Lost Ten Tribes are 
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