llow some
other officers (probably spies or inspectors) to be present at our
discussions on the clauses of the Treaty. After treating this
seriously for some moments, without settling it to their satisfaction,
I at once carried the day, by saying laughingly, that as they were six
to one already, they ought not to desire to have more chances in their
favour. This provoked a counterlaugh and a compliment, and no more was
said about the spies. When the Commissioners came yesterday afternoon
to go through the clauses of the Treaty with me, I was much pleased
with the manner in which they took to their work, raising questions
and objections in a most business-like manner, but without the
slightest appearance of captiousness or a desire to make difficulties.
Their interpreter, Moriama, is a very good Dutch scholar, and, of
course, being a remarkably shrewd gentleman withal, has a leading part
in the proceedings; but all seem to take an intelligent share.

[Sidenote: Temples.]

I went into the temple of which this building forms a part, this
morning. Two priests came up to me, knelt down, and laid before me two
pages of paper, holding out to me at the some time the painting-brush
and Indian inkstand, which is the inseparable companion of every
Japanese, and making signs which I interpreted into a request that I
would write down my name. I sat down on the floor, and complied with
their request, which seemed to please them. The priests appear by no
means so wretched here as in China, and the temples are in much better
case. I have not, however, seen many of them.

[Sidenote: Political condition.]

It is difficult, of course, to speak positively of the political
condition of a country of which one knows so little; but there seems
to be a kind of feudal system in vigour here. The hereditary princes
(Daimios), some 360 in number (I doubt much their being all equally
powerful), exercise extensive jurisdiction in their respective
domains. A Dutch officer, who visited one of these domains in a
Japanese man-of-war, found that the chieftain would not allow even the
officers of the Japanese Emperor to land on his territory. The only
control which the Emperor exerts over them is derived from his
requiring all their wives and families to live at Yeddo permanently.
The Daimios themselves spend half the y