d as a small chapel. A vast
number of little scraps of paper, bearing Japanese characters, fluttered
from the interior walls of the image, plastered there by pious pilgrims
as prayers to the presiding deity. As the door was opened for us to
enter and was closed again, these scraps rustled in the agitated
atmosphere like an army of white bats, producing a puzzling effect until
our eyes became accustomed to the dim light, and the cause was apparent.

This famous and sacred figure is certainly as remarkable as the Sphinx,
which so gloomily presides over the sandy desert lying at the feet of
the great Pyramids. As a work of art, perhaps its only merit consists in
the calm dignity of expression and repose of features which are so
colossal. It is many centuries old,--certainly six hundred years; and
how such an enormous amount of bronze metal was ever cast, or how set up
in such perfect shape when finished, no one can say. We are told that it
was formerly covered by a temple, long since mouldered to dust; but it
is certainly none the less effective and impressive, as it now sits
surrounded by the natural scenery and the thick woods. Were not the
groves God's first temples? Guide-books have not yet invaded the far
East, or we should be told how many square inches of bronze is contained
in the Dai-Butsu figure, and how many ounces it weighs; statistics
concerning which we felt a most sublime indifference, while we gazed
upon its combined and wonderful effect.

The glorious old temple of Hachiman, already spoken of, is a sort of
Japanese Mecca for pilgrims from all parts of the country; though when
we were there, wandering among its lofty and sacred groves, wending our
way over its well-worn stone steps and causeways, by its lotus-ponds and
heavy-eaved shrines, there were no other visitors. A strangely solemn
silence impressed us, until our very voices seemed to be echoed back
with a mysterious significance. The shaded and pleasant paths are kept
in perfect order, swept clear of every falling leaf or broken twig,
showing that care and a sense of responsibility is not wanting. Although
these temples are built of wood, so carefully have they been kept, they
appear as fresh and bright to-day as though a single decade only had
passed since they were finished, instead of a thousand years. A large
body of priests reside upon the spot, and are in constant attendance,
supported by the offerings of the semi-annual pilgrims who come from