ting tom-toms
vigorously.

There was a show of wax figures in one of the booths, illustrating a
terrible murder, and another of figures constructed of flowers, similar
to immortelles. These last were certainly curious, and with swords and
spears placed in their hands were supposed to represent warriors of the
bravest type. Japanese art has much of the Chinese element in it, and is
apt to culminate in dragons with half human countenances. There were a
number of these graceful beings in the show. There were also inclosures
where dwarf trees in pots were exhibited, some actually bearing natural
sized fruit, like a baby with a man's hat on its head; beside these were
singular specimens of blooming plants. In another inclosure were strange
birds: green pigeons, Chinese pheasants, and parrots that looked
artificially painted, so very odd was their plumage. There were cakes,
candy, and fruit for sale, and men, women, and children devouring them.

In another department near at hand, there was exhibited china ware and
Japanese toys and curiosities, and our party "invested." The guide could
not make us understand what all this meant, but it was a "fair," that
was plain enough, and he gave it the English name. The natives were very
much in earnest, and worked hard to achieve a good time. At such an
exhibition and miscellaneous out-door gathering nearly anywhere else
there would have been sure to be many individuals present more or less
under the influence of spirituous liquors, and a squad of policemen
would naturally be in attendance. Here there was not the least evidence
of inebriety or of quarrelsomeness, and certainly no police were
present. There was a child-like satisfaction depicted on the faces of
the crowd, showing that the people were very easily controlled and
amused.

As we stood watching this gay and singular scene, a sad-faced Japanese
woman, of a youthful figure, passed up to the temple, without heeding
any one of the crowd about her, and pinned a small scrap of paper on one
side of the altar, among many other similar tokens. Then we wondered
what her prayer might be, as she retired quietly from the spot. Was it a
petition for forgiveness of sins, or asking consolation for some great
bereavement? Be it what it might, tendered sincerely, though in that
blind and simple form, it doubtless won as certain response as the
formal devotion of the most pronounced Christian.

CHAPTER III.

Foreign Influence