242 
THE INNOCENT UNSAFE. 
Chap. XV. 
at the instance of Count Mouravieff, in consequence 
of some insult offered to the Russians in the 
streets of Yedo ; and the assassination of the 
American Secretary of Legation was said to have 
been committed by a Daimio’s retainer, struck by 
him in the street, who, on returning to his master’s, 
was asked how he dared to do so after receiving 
a blow which was still unavenged.* Offence may 
have been given in this way, and the Japanese, 
who are a proud and revengeful people, would 
most certainly have their revenge ; but none of 
the foreign residents could actually affirm that 
insults of this kind were the causes of the melan- 
choly events that followed. 
But, taking for granted that those who had 
fallen victims to revenge had done something to 
merit their punishment, it does not follow that the 
innocent in Japan may always consider themselves 
perfectly safe. The Japanese assassin is not par- 
ticular as to his victim. If he can secure the real 
offender, good and well ; if not, a substitute must 
be had ; if an Englishman give offence and cannot 
be found, one of his countrymen must suffer in 
his stead. This being the state of affairs, it is 
plain that the innocent may, at any time, suffer 
for the imprudence or follies of his countrymen, or, 
indeed, of any foreigner, without respect to na- 
tionality ; for the avenger is not particular even 
on that point. 
* Sir James Hope’s Report to the Lords Commissioners of the 
Admiralty. 
