Chap. III. SCENERY. 49 
all the other temples are beautifully thatched, and 
the ground and walks near them clean and in per- 
fect order. We did not observe any priests near 
these temples ; and they probably belong to the 
sect of Sintoos or Svnsyu , the original national 
religion of Japan, upon which Buddhism has been 
engrafted in some extraordinary manner. 
At the time of our visit to the monastery, the 
riests seemed all to be engaged in study or in 
prayer. Now and then the dull monotonous sound 
of some one of them engaged with his devotions 
fell upon our ears, but it soon ceased and all was 
still again. The sun was shining, and his rays 
streaming through the branches of the Overhanging 
trees; a solemn stillness seemed to reign around 
us, and the whole place and scene reminded one of 
a sabbath in the country at home. 
There are many pleasant and shaded walks in 
the woods about these temples. Taking one of the 
paths which led up the hill, we wandered to the 
summit and obtained some charming views. On 
one side we looked down on the roofs and gardens 
of the temples, and our eyes wandered from them 
over the valley to the richly- wooded hills beyond. 
Turning to the westward, the mountains of Hakone 
lay before us, with the beautiful Fusi-yama half- 
covered with snow, and looking like the queen of 
the mountain scenery. These were glorious views, 
and will long remain vividly impressed upon my 
memory. 
Before quitting the monastery of Bokengee, 
