XVIII.J 
THE FUTURE OF JAPAN. 
395 
Danish, and Swedish, a proof of the mixture of nationalities 
which prevailed there, the Vega again weighed anchor on the 
27th October, in order to continue her voyage. We now left 
Japan to commence in earnest our return, and on our departure 
we were saluted by the crews of two English gun-boats anchored 
in the harbour, the Hornet and the Sylvia, manning the yards 
and bulwarks. It was natural that the hour of departure, after 
fifteen months’ absence from home, should be looked forward to 
with joy. But our joy was mixed with a regretful feeling that 
we were so soon compelled to leave—without the hope of ever 
returning—the magnificent country and noble people among 
whom a development is now going on which probably will not 
only give a new awakening to the old cultured races of Eastern 
Asia, but will also prepare a new soil for European science, 
industry, and art. It is difficult to foresee what new undreamed¬ 
of blossoms and fruit this soil will yield. But the Europeans 
are perhaps much mistaken who believe that the question here 
is only that of clothing an Asiatic feudal state in a modern 
European dress. Bather the day appears to me to dawn of a 
time in which the countries round the Mediterranean of eastern 
Asia will come to play a great part in the further development 
of the human race. 
