Litchfield enquirer., 1874-04-30

an exhibition of archery in an avenue close by. The archers were dressed ir the old Japanese military costume. and clumsily mounted on horseback in sad dies that vied i'll quaintness with the higl peaked shovel stirruped affairs of the 1 Spanish cavaliers of the olden time; they shot as they rode at targets suspended from the trees.
 Kamakura, though fourishlng city when Yedo vas village, is now but ( struggling collection of houses and few temples; but the latter are said to be the finest in Japan, and the traces of walls roads, and groves that remain prove the city to have been worthy of the Tycoons in their proudest days. The largest tenn. pie that visited belonged to the Shintoe faith, and was destitute of the multitude of idols that composed the Buddhist pan. theon. Its interior was remarkably neat and even impressive in its simplicity and solidity; the floors were covered with stuffed white mating, and the pillars, cornices and ceilings heavily lacquered and ornamented with grotesque carvings of birds. beasts and flowers. The peo- pie performed their devotions by throwing a few copper coins into large iron bound chest that stood open near the main door way, and repeating short prayers. There was no other form CT ceremony. nothing could be more simple. Several white robed priests attended and politely show ed us through the various apartments of the etemple, which contain many interesting relics of the former Tycoons, among them some magnificent swords and suits of ar- nor. Near this temple, under the shade of an old pine tree, is the Onanko Lsha, or woman stone of Japan relic very sacred in the eyes of the people, and it's history is not without interest in tracing the unity of religion in all lands and among all peoples. We read of the priapus of the Egyptians and of similar objects of worship among the ancient Greeks and Rom ans. Oddly enough the same thing is found in the primitive religion of the remote Japanese. The Onaanko is rude stone, of irregular form. partially buried in the earth and surrounded by bed of pebbles which are used in it's worship. The chief peculiarity of the stone is evil dently the work of nature. According to tradition 1t was sent from heaven by the gods and after flight of seven years in space descended to Japan in its present location. It is worshiped by women, es- pecially those who are barren, and they make pilgrimages to its shrine from long distances.
 We continued our walk for more than a mile beyond Kamakura, until coming to ~ero~o of young pines above whose tops towers the colossal figure of Dibutz. Pas sing through an arched gateway, we as- cended a long flight of steps and stood beneath the statue. Dibutz signifies the great Buddha, and the image which I am about to describe represents that saint and sage seated on lotus flower, the em- blem of immortality. and lost in that air of deep meditation called the state of nirvanha. This is the idea of supreme bliss held by the countless millions of souls that for twenty centuries have been guided by the teachings of Buddha. It is only attained after ages of purifcation by successive transmigrations. Those who suppose that this is some hideous ideal of an idolatrous imagination are mistaken. It is an artistic conception, skill fully executed, and the sculptor has sue- ceeded in giving to the not unhandsome face wrapt, passionless expression sug gestive of a mind lost to all worldly thoughts It is the same sad. mysterious look impressed upon the face of the Sphinx that rears it's head from out the sand at the foot of the great pyramid. The face, form and dress of the statue of Di- butz are purely of the Indian type, and a light moustache is .delicately traced upon the upper lip. The statue is of bronze, fifty feet high and ninety-six feet in cir conference at the base. It rests upon a circular pedestal of stone about five feet from the ground. It was made 500 years ago, cast in sections of few square feet of surface, one or more inches thick and very accurately joined. The head is cov- cred with small limitations of snail-shells; according to tradition the snail came to protect Buddha from the heat of the sun. The interior of the statue is hollow and forms Q small temple containing many idols of the Buddhist mythology. We seated ourselves on the well kept grass plot in front of the statue and un- der the shade of it's mighty form partook of such refreshments as our pockets con: tained, and the pure water of we'll close by. A jolly old bonze, the custodian of Dibutz, joined us and seemed very par. tial to flask of brandy which one of my companions carried.
 On our return to Kamakura we had an. ticipated dinner at one of the tea houses. Arriving with keen appetites we found, much to our discomfort, that the only re. treatments to be procured were few boiled eggs and rice. There was some murmering about the frugal habits of the natives as we ate our scanty meal and washed it down with hot tea.
 On the return journey the kaago came most in requisition and it was marvel tc see the two bearers, with our stout friend slung between them, marching steadily up hill and down far in advance of the fastest walker in the party. We reached Kenasawa early in the evening after day of most pleasant experiences.
 l. Of the seven democratic members o the legislature from this senatorial dis trict it is said that only one is for Eaton Did Barnum do it with his little pocket book?-Neso London Telegram Zaas19