The New Civilization^ Laws, etc, 141 
into that called Ministry for the Interior. The army con- 
sists of 50,000 men, with 20,000 reserve force ; the navy, of 
27 vessels, and nearly 5,000 men. A smart police force was 
next instituted, dressed in blue and yellow, and composed of 
the most intelligent and active among the male population. 
Being dressed in European costume, they attract much 
attention, both from visitors and natives, and manifest not a 
little pride in their responsible position. It is said that this 
body consists of nearly 24,000 men, of whom over 5,000 
are stationed in Tokio^ the capital. So highly is this force 
valued by the Government, that recently a commission of 
the highest police officers was sent to Europe to improve 
their acquaintance with European police systems, and to 
adopt all possible measures for securing the highest amount 
of efficiency in their own. Indeed, although accustomed 
up to a recent date to stigmatize all foreigners as bar- 
barians," it is very curious to note the eagerness with which 
customs, systems, and manners introduced by those very 
barbarians, are imitated. It has been the rule for the 
Japanese Government to employ foreigners for specified 
terms of years, so as to educate natives in different arts, and 
then to dispense with the services of the foreigners. 
The money of the country has undergone a change. 
Until the country was opened up by the foreign treaties, 
the Japanese esteemed silver to be as valuable as gold, and 
readily exchanged gold for silver, weight for weight. They 
have now, however, adopted a coinage, and issue gold, 
silver, and bronze coins, beside paper money. 
The new order of things was quickly signalised by the 
establishment of a postal system, nearly akin to our own. 
In former times, the Japanese postman, or mail-carrier, was 
a half-naked "runner," who ran from station to station, 
carrying the letters in the cleft of a stick. But this old 
