228 
WHAT THEY DO NOT SELL. 
different stalls before they had a chance to pack them 
away, and took under our arms every picture that we 
could lay our hands upon. Of course the merchants said 
that we could not have them; that they were not for sale, 
— only to be looked at; that they would not receive pay 
for them; that their heads would be cut off, &c. &c. : but 
we nevertheless carried them quietly on board, and the 
next day they, in as quiet, matter-of-course a manner, 
received payment for them, while their heads were still 
in their usual place. 
Thus it was that pictures of every description were 
added to the list of articles which, by express orders of 
the emperor, were not to be sold, bartered, or given to 
persons living outside of Japan. And, ^vhile making 
this remark, I may as well mention as many of those 
reserved articles as I can recall. In the first place, then, 
there were their swords; secondly, every thing in the 
shape of an offensive or defensive weapon, all of the 
tools of the various trades, and the coinage of the country. 
Then tliere Avere these engravings descriptive of Japanese 
life, and a variety of other articles which I cannot now 
remember. And as fast as any thing was thus embargoed 
it was immediately packed up and sent back into the 
country. 
It took us several hours to see enough of the varied 
and beautiful display of the rare specimens of their un- 
known Avorkmanship that were crowded upon the shelves 
and floors of every stall ; but the thing Avhich surprised 
U8 most Avas to see the prices of the various articles 
marked on them in dollars and cents, just as one sees 
them pinned on goods exposed as samples in the win- 
