Chap. IV. 
GARDEN OF THE LEGATION. 
73 
all instances, to be placed on the west side of the 
temples. The Japanese, like their neighbours in 
China, pay great attention to the graves of their 
dead. They frequently visit them, and place 
branches of skimmi ( lllicium anisatum ), laurels, 
and other evergreens, in bamboo tubes in front of 
the stones. When these branches wither they 
remove them and replace them by others. The 
trade of collecting and selling these branches must 
be one of considerable magnitude in Japan ; they 
are exposed, in large quantities, for sale in all the 
cities and villages ; one is continually meeting with 
people carrying them in the streets ; and they seem 
always fresh upon the graves, showing that they 
are frequently replaced. 
A garden situated in the rear of the build- 
ings of the Legation, although small in extent, is 
one of the most charming little spots I ever be- 
held. The circular hill already noticed rises up 
behind, and forms a background to the picture : 
this hill is richly covered with trees of great size 
and beauty ; particularly some fine evergreen oaks, 
seeds of which Mr. Alcock has sent to Kew. On 
the lower part of the hill there is some pretty rock- 
work covered with maples, azaleas, camellias, and 
other plants, with a species of plum, whose branches 
hung down like a weeping willow. At the base 
there is a small lake of irregular and pleasing form, 
extending the whole width of the garden, and 
between this and the temple there is a little lawn 
which gives a quiet and pleasing finish to the whole. 
