Chap. I. GARDENS OF THE PEOPLE. 11 
infancy for so scandalous a way of getting a 
livelihood, before they were able to choose a more 
honest one. Besides, as they are generally well 
bred, that makes it less difficult for them to get 
husbands. The keepers of these houses, on the 
contrary, though possessed of never so plentiful 
estates, are for ever denied admittance into honest 
company.” 
The houses of the high officials, wealthy mer- 
chants, or retired gentlemen, though generally 
small, and only of one or two stories in height, 
are comfortable and cleanly dwelling-places. One 
marked feature of the people, both high and low, 
is a love for flowers. Almost every house which 
has any pretension to respectability has a flower- 
garden in the rear, oftentimes indeed small, but 
neatly arranged ; this adds greatly to the comfort 
and happiness of the family. As the lower parts 
of the Japanese houses and shops are open both 
before and behind, I had peeps of these pretty 
little gardens as I passed along the streets; and 
wherever I observed one better than the rest I 
did not fail to pay it a visit. Everywhere the 
inhabitants received me most politely, and per- 
mitted me to examine their pet flowers and dwarf 
trees. Many of these places are exceedingly 
small, some not much larger than a good-sized 
dining-room ; but the surface is rendered varied 
and pleasing by means of little mounds of turf, 
on which are planted dwarf trees kept clipped 
into fancy forms, and by miniature lakes, in which 
