THE YEDO RIVER. 
Chap. VIII. 
pheasants, mandarin ducks, rabbits, and squirrels 
amongst the collection. Altogether, there are 
many things here calculated to amuse and instruct 
the good people of Yedo when they come out for 
a holiday; and when the plum and cherry trees 
are in blossom, these gardens must be very enjoy- 
able. 
Leaving Ah-sax-saw, with its temples, tea- 
gardens, and chrysanthemums, we returned up 
the avenue by which we came, and were again 
followed by crowds of wondering natives. Taking 
now a southerly direction, we came upon a broad 
river which flows from the eastward, and empties 
itself into the bay of Yedo. It is about as large as 
the Thames at Richmond or Kew. We crossed it 
by a wooden bridge, and then entered that part of 
the town called hy the Japanese Moo-co-gee-me , or 
“ island opposite to Yedo.” This is, in fact, the 
Southwark or Borough of the capital. It is large 
and densely populated ; the streets run mostly at 
right angles with each other ; and it is intersected 
by a number of wide canals. 
Riding along the banks of the river, we soon 
found ourselves nearly clear of houses and in the 
country. As we looked back over the river, the 
city of Yedo, with its temples, watch-towers, and 
undulating wooded hills, lay spread out before us, 
and formed a picture of striking beauty. Nearly 
all the land where we were was one vast garden ; 
or to speak more correctly, it was covered with tea- 
