Chap. XV. REVOLUTION IN YEDO. 263 
“ N.B. It is impossible to assign the true motives 
for such sudden and radical changes, but it does 
appear as though the Government of the Tycoon 
was much stronger than has hitherto been con- 
ceded. It is thought possible that greater liberality 
to foreigners may follow these events, and • that a 
variety of restrictions hitherto imposed upon native 
traders may be gradually removed.” 
If the latter version of this strange story prove 
to be the correct one, better days may be in store 
for Japan than we had dared to hope for. It is 
very difficult for foreigners to understand the pro- 
ceedings of this remarkable people, and future 
events alone can enable us to comprehend those of 
the present or of the past. 
