SOJOURN AT SHIBA. 
281 
we reach the spacious rooms, the walls and panels of 
which were ornamented with paintings of various 
animals and figures — tortoises, cranes, dragons, and 
wondrous unreal monsters. All the furniture, light, 
neat, and airy, with lacquer- ware, china, and bronzes, 
gave the entire aspect of the place one of seductive 
repose. Opening out from the verandah was a well 
cultivated garden, where most that was lovely in 
nature was to be seen : choice flowers and shrubs ; 
ponds in which were gold and silver fish, ever ready 
to exhibit their lovely tints, amidst water-lilies and 
other beautiful aquatic plants. This, then, was to 
be my home for the next few days. During my stay 
I made the most of the time at my disposal in sight- 
seeing, and under the guidance of my host many 
a pleasant trip was arranged. We did not confine 
ourselves to exploring the city alone, although the 
sights to be seen there were of the greatest interest, 
but cruised for some miles round, where are snug 
little villages with fertile fields highly cultivated, 
combining to form scenes of beauty and abundance 
that can scarcely be conceived. 
On one occasion, after passing the imperial resi- 
dence, we ascended one of the highest points of the 
fortifications in the rear of the castle, from which 
a fine panoramic view was obtained of the vast city, 
with its two millions and a half of inhabitants, 
occupying an area equal to, if not greater than, 
London. Looking in any direction, the view was 
