74 
GARDEN OF THE LEGATION. 
Chap. IV. 
To complete the picture as it appeared to me : 
it was a bright autumnal day ; an old maple-tree, 
with blood-red leaves, was hanging over the lake 
at one end — an azalea, with leaves of a glowing 
crimson, was seen in groups at the other ; patches 
of red, purple, and of almost every hue, met the 
eye in all directions, and produced a striking effect, 
backed as they were by the deep green of the 
camellia, evergreen oak, and pine. As the large 
trees in the background threw a shade over some 
parts of the garden, while the sun’s rays streamed 
through other parts, or shone full upon the varied 
colours, the effect produced made one almost fancy 
oneself in some fairy land. Little walks led through 
amongst the bushes over the hill-side, where the 
different plants can be minutely examined, and 
where shade can be had from the fierce rays of the 
sun. A fine avenue has been made on the top 
of the eastern spur, extending down towards the 
bay, whence a delightful view to seaward can be 
obtained, and where exercise and the cool morning 
and evening breezes can be enjoyed, without the 
nuisance of being followed by the officials of the 
Japanese Government, an annoyance to which 
every one has to submit if he moves out of the 
grounds of the temple. 
The garden I have been describing is purely 
Japanese, Mr. Alcock having found it much in the 
same state as I saw it. The French Consul-General, 
and his able secretary the Abbe Gerard, have each 
a garden, which they found attached to the temples 
