102 PRESENTS FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS. Chap. VI. 
of coolies, firemen, and two-sworded yakoneens, 
had disappeared as quickly as they came. 
A short time before I visited Japan the English 
Government had made the Tycoon a present of a 
pretty little steam yacht, which I am afraid will be 
of little use to His Majesty ; and during my visit 
to Yedo the Government of the United States of 
America had presented to the Japanese all the 
newest and most destructive implements of war, 
and also had sent an officer over to instruct them 
how to use them. Should other nations in the 
West feel desirous of making presents, I would 
strongly recommend them to send out some good 
fire-engines, which would he of far more value 
to the Japanese than implements of destruction, 
which may one day be turned against the givers. 
