230 
HOW THEY SET TRAPS IN JAPAN. 
of letting our friends at home see their presents just as 
we had seen them in Japan. 
They were cunning enough, too, as far as disposing 
of inferior goods was concerned, for they only brought 
out these at first, reserving the others for the last few 
days of our stay. We did not see any of their ‘‘number 
one” specimens during our first or second visit, and, 
when we asked in regard to them, they would insist that 
“we saw all ; they knew of nothing else,” &c. They were 
evidently anxious to dispose of the inferior lot first, after 
whicli they knew that we would not fail to be disgusted 
with our purchases as soon as the higher-priced ones 
should be exposed, and then -we would be certain to lay 
out more money. And they were right; for, although 
the most of us returned on board the first day without 
making any purchases, still, we “caved in” on the second 
day and bought quite freely. Then, on the third day, 
they commenced bringing in the high-priced articles, 
and WQ began falling into the trap. 
Day after day, therefore, as we returned and lounged 
through the crowded showrooms, new articles of unex- 
pected beauty and rare excellence of workmanship would 
rise before us at every turn, cast a shade over every thing 
of the kind y)reviously bought, and cause us to long for 
heavier pockets or more reasonable charges. 
Oh ! they were a cunning, a most dishonest set of fel- 
lows, those very Japanese merchants, holding up their 
wares before us, and tempting us to board the shrinking 
purser for various sums until we finally found ourselves 
heels over head in debt! They would watch us with 
“crickets* eves,” while we examined their various articles, 
