Chap. VI. FIRE AT THE BRITISH LEGATION. 
99 
agreeably as we had supposed. A pipe leading 
from the stove set fire to the roof of the dining- 
room, and for some time it was feared the whole of 
the Legation would be destroyed. The watchmen 
who surrounded the premises gave the first alarm 
to those outside by beating in a peculiar way 
upon the hollow stem of the bamboo. This emits 
a peculiar sound, which is heard a very long way 
off. Then the large fire-bell sounded its alarm- 
peal — a sound which was taken up by other bells, 
and repeated all over Yedo. These fire-bells are 
established in all Japanese towns, and the custody 
of them is regularly organized. The manner in 
which they are tolled informs the people whether 
the fire be near or afar off — whether they ought 
to come to render assistance at once, or hold them- 
selves in readiness to come on a second warning. 
On the present occasion all the arrangements 
seemed to work most admirably. The gates round 
the Legation were instantly closed and guarded by 
armed yakoneens. The members of the fire- 
brigade and those who had duties to perform were 
allowed to enter, but all others were strictly ex- 
cluded. In a few minutes the place was full of 
armed men. Several hundreds were running 
about in all directions — in the garden, in the 
rooms, in the passages, and on the roofs of the dif- 
ferent buildings; but watchful eyes were upon 
them everywhere, and not an article of any kind 
was stolen. The Minister’s table was covered 
with plate ; his drawing-room contained numerous 
