the _yashgis_ we had
already visited, but much stronger, being composed of enormous blocks
of stone. One wonders how human labour could ever have transported
them from their quarry to this place, for some measured 40 ft. long by
20 ft. high. We crossed the three moats and the three enclosures, now
all full of barracks and soldiers. In the very centre, the old well
and a little square tower are still standing, part of the Tycoon's
original residence, which was destroyed by fire. The view from the top
over the town and surrounding country is very fine. You can see
countless streams coming from the mountains, and flowing into
Odawarra, on which Osaka is situated. The course of the river itself
could be traced to the bay; and the line of coast to Kobe, and the
far-off mountains in the Inland Sea were plainly visible.

On returning to the Mint we found luncheon awaiting us, and afterwards
spent a pleasant time looking at a wonderful collection of curios.

The Imperial Mint of Japan is a large handsome building, in great
force just now, for the whole of the old money is being called in and
replaced by the government. The contrast between the two moneys is
very great. The ancient coinage consisted of long thin oval obangs and
shobangs, worth from two dollars to eighteen pounds each, square
silver itzeboos, and square copper pieces, with a hole in the centre;
while that which is taking its place is similar to European coinage,
and is marked in English characters, and ornamented with Japanese
devices, such as the phoenix and the dragon. It did not seem worth
while to go minutely over the Mint, as it is arranged on exactly the
same principle as the one in London, and the processes are carried out
in the same manner.

Osaka used to be the emporium of all the inland commerce, and was
considered the pearl of Japanese cities. After the revolution, and
when the Mint was built, there was some intention of making it the
capital of the empire. That idea was, however, abandoned; and the
inconvenience of having the Mint so far away from the seat of
government is greatly felt, all the bullion having to be sent
backwards and forwards at great expense by sea. Commerce has now
almost deserted Osaka, owing to the difficulty experienced by large
ships in anchoring near the town, and the impossibility of their
crossing the bar. The foreign consuls and representatives have all
left the place for the newly established settlement at Kobe, where