298 
PEOPLE OF JAPAN. 
attitude is very expressively rendered, and the 
carving of his dress is as perfect as it can be — the 
texture and pattern of his garments being accurately 
copied from the living model, even to the grass 
sandals on his feet, and the few decayed teeth in 
the old man’s open mouth. On examining the 
under surface of the money heap, the different coins 
of Japan — boo, tempo, cash, and cobang — each 
with its own distinctive marks, are found to be 
faithfully engraved. The finish of this figure is 
exquisite. 
The impression made on our minds by the people 
of Japan is, that they are a very paradoxical race. 
They bow down before and worship the most 
hideous idols, grovelling in the lowest form of 
Paganism, or they rise to the contemplation of the 
sublimest truths of philosophy. They have two 
kino's and two laiiffuatxes. Their great men wear 
two swords. They live in picturesque and beautiful 
islands, cultivated to the highest perfection. They 
plant noble avenues of cedars, and build mag* 
nificent temples. As a rule, they arc simple and 
