SINAGAWA. 
place was pretty and enjoyable, even at this time 
of the year. In spring or summer, when the trees 
are in full bloom, or covered with leaves, the 
“ Mansion of Plum-trees ” must be a charming place. 
Bidding a polite adieu to our fair entertainers, 
we mounted our horses and continued our journey 
along the great highway. For the last three or 
four miles of the journey, the road had taken a 
direction more inland, and we had lost sight of the 
bay. Now, however, the bay came again into 
view, and the road led along its banks as before. 
Gradually it became more crowded with people, 
the buildings and shops appeared of a better 
class, and everything indicated our near approach 
to the imperial city. 
We now entered the suburb of Sinagawa, a 
place often mentioned in the writings of the Dutch 
travellers. On our left we observed many line 
houses and temples, and some stately trees ; while 
on our right the upper part of the bay lay spread 
out to our view. Before us lay the great city, 
encircling the head of the bay in the form of a 
crescent, and stretching away almost to the distant 
horizon. Far out in the bay a square-rigged vessel 
of war was lying at anchor ; it proved to be the 
United States frigate * Niagara,’ which had just 
brought home the Japanese ambassadors from their 
visit to A merica. A crowd of small trading vessels 
and fishing boats lay in the shallow water near the 
shore; and a chain of batteries commanded the 
anchorage. 
