Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-12-08

aud alder. ,others rearing aloft their bald tops,
with here and there ragged ciiH OF ctusset VI
| huge rocks Even on the elearest days heecY
clouds tiast and eddy shout the summlts Qt THESE
hills sometimes inassng and descending even 70
the village street At times the chilly drizzie
from these low floating clouds proves the n.hess
of the old name oil the mountain ranse, a'ss
yara ;, the tive storm mountains mountains
/ of the Suns Brig h'ness" they are now Called
name more ia harmony with the bright picture
I OF NtRko most OF US bear In mind.
SIGHTSEEING AT NIKKo
naturally begins with the temples. Crossing the
/ torrent We ascend the hill traversing an avenue
| lined with eryptomerias Clustered at .he sum,
init the shrines and temples, those seuIca.su
! TO Iyeyas on the right. and those TO lyemilsu,
his scarcely less famous grandson, on the ieit.
Ascending broad flight of steps we enter the
FIRST court. which Is encompassea oy q,
planted o U stone faced banks. Another nlghe Oh
steps leads the second court 90 the iett "
fivestoried paxoda. ornamented IN toe hlRhSSe
style of Japanese art. Under the esVes y, tno
hfst story are the twelve signs OF the diae: above
them on each successive story groups OF men,
birds beasts and flowers, even m.n,aau,e ' Ths
and houses, all most eunnfnYiy carved. Inc
whole eject is heig htened by the bright eot"rs ia
which the pagoda is painted, and oy tue quaint
ties of fine lacquer adjoining II. Near the pa9oua,
and under graceful ROOT, supporter oS g 54
pillars, is immense block OF gTahte' ho'ioweu9
In the centre and allied to the orim WI, co ~,
spring water, which trckles noiselessly over tne
edges leaving ne spot untouched, so evenly usi-
snced is the stone Both the pagoda anu the
lavatory were erected over two hundred wears
ago There are several other buildtn2s In TINS
court devoted to the uses OF the shrine Al Oh
them ornamented with CARVINGS ana lacquer
to an extent and IN lie that defes description.
Among the carvings those OF the sculptor !ihgoao
attract most attention. This artist was lett
handed, and white his work Is mos skiiituiiy
done, Il curiously hetrays his regularity.
Passing up another broad flight of steps we ar
rive at
THE GATEWAY OF THE INNER COURT.
The wood carving upon the gateway Is prooaoIy
the finest in Japan. The studies and occupations
OF scholars. wise men aud philosophers seem 70
have been the favorite theme OF the artists VINO
wrought this marvellous piece OF Workmanship.
Long bearded gentlemen OF studtous turn are
represented as eogaged IN ali those pursuits
which beseem the dignity OF students anu SAFES.
Perhaps the finest group Is one immediately over
the entrance. venerable man rs seated ri
table: before him lies open book. from when
ehtIdrep who cluster about his knees and at his
feet. There Is none of the staring impasstvity
ABOUT these figures which generally marks sueh
produe ions. Everything is natural and hfe-like.
The expressions of the children are stngularly
good; some listen with intent look, as II TO treas
ure up each word that fails from the old mans
lies; others are evidently somewhat bored with
the homily: and one little rogue has manitestly
reached the turning point OF pattenes ana Is SHY
lifting his hand to hts neighbours ear as IL 10 give
II pinch.
Passing the gateway we came
TO Tue SHRINE ITSELF.
This court contains several curious relics, among
from the Lnchin Islands and the others said to
have been captured from the Coreans. Here,
also, stands large cryptomeria, the very tree IL
is said, which Iyeyas was won't when it was y
mere shrub. TO carry about with him in HIS nari-
mon. The shrine itself, like all the other build
ings, is pentituly decorated with rare and costly
.pecimens of Eastern art. Taking Oh shoes,
we are allowed To pass within the Holy OF HOLES,
the room where in ancient tin es the ryeoons
worshiped when visiting the tomb OF their great
ancestor. The proportions OF this magnificent
apartment are In keeping with the beauty of its
decorations. On every hand 1t bears witness to
the lavish outlay which was considered behitiug
the place where should he invoked he blessings
Of the departed spirit OF lyeyas. The precious
Carvings of costly wood adorn its walls, while
the roof Is perfect marvel. IL is divided into
squares, separated from each other by bars and
panels OF costly gold lacquer. Each square
contains painting-generally ord, flower
or some my theai animal. The Japanese artist
Is strict copyist OF nature; but he has the art
few copyists have, of portraying life we'll as
form. The room have attempted TO describe is
an Illustration OF this fact. Even the dragons
and hydra-headed lions and fabulous tigers
have about them the semolance OF grotesque
reality.
LEAVING THE RINRsH
and descending to the second court, turn to the
rig hit and ascend to the tomb of lyeyas. IL rests
upon high hill, overlooking the temples and
the surrounding country. The steep ascent is
clothed TO the very summit in a dense mass of TO-
lase, surmounted by group of large cryptic
merias. Here In an open space, surrounded ny u
stone railing, Is an immense bronze urn, wherein
surroundings are in harmony with such sepulchre.
Not a sound breaks the almost gloomy silence
save the faint splashing of a hidden spring and
the sound of our footballs on the steep, winding
flight of moss grown steps. Grass is springing
plentfully from the cteyices between the paving
stones; the trees bear upon their branches long
pendants OF gray moss; the mold aud decay of
two centuries seem to have settled upon the very
stones of the walls But the tomb itself ia brieb
and clean: the brass characters upon It's portal
shine as If OF gold: everything else Is typical
OF that day. long ago, when the solemn funeral
procession pore up the hlli al that remained OF
firm until the dust OF centuries gathered about
his tomb.
AMONG THE BUILDINGS
In the second court is one which suggests the
thought that perhaps after all Mr. Darwin Is not
responsible for Darwinsm. This statement may
sound paradoxicai. give IL tor whatit Is worth,
leaving others TO decide whether the glory OF the
discovery of the possibilities OF simian nature
rests with Mr.. Darwin with the unknown
Japanese artist who decorated the building OF
which have spoken. IL Is not pTetentious~ In
appearance; on the contrary, ~ has decidedly
shabby aspect in contrast with the buildings SUR
rounding IT, IL Is merely stable, the stable OF
the sacred white pony, which In ancient times
was kept here for the use of the spirit OF Iyeyas
TO lead the procession on fete days covered from
neck 10 crupp with most gorgeous trappings
But the pony Ia not the illustration OF Darwin,sm
10 which 1 ailude 1t is to be found under. the
caves OF his stable, where are carvings of mon
keys, quaiDt life like figures which have grinned
and mouthed In grotesqe limitations OF humanity
under the drlppings OF his humble roof for more
evidently progressed Ia the Darwinian Journey
far beyond ordinary monkey hood. Three of them,
maniiestiy the grave and reverend seigneursn
OF the community, are engaged In teaching
great moral lesson, Contucan 10 origin, IL is said
One has his hands upon his eyes another upon
his ears and the third over bis mouth. The pre-
cept is plain, don't too much,r .'nor hear
TOO much, nor sstalk too muehn Uonfucius 10
would seem, considered monkeys peculiarly well
qualified no point moral and adorn tale"
None of these monkeys, by the way have tails.
which may be taken as another Indication OF the
advanced stage OF their progress.
there ARE BIG MONKEYS AND LITTLE MONKEYS,
monkeys In trade, hurrying along with preoccu-
pied business air: monkeys Of q theological turn,
laying down the law from big books; monkeys
evidently of ovial proeiivities going s.round tho
corner" and one old monkey, beyond all doubt a
politician, fngratiating himself IN he good graces
of monkey from the rural districts. 7 he COM
zeal gravity of most Of the faces and, above all,
their grotesque stimulation OF human motive and
action, are ludierous beyond description Mr..
Darwin has need to look to his laurels, or the
descendants OF the artist who carved these figures
will set up for their ancestor a counter claim TO
the credit of having first pointed out the fear
sibility OF the later steps Of the development
theory.
But find that have gone far beyond the linn
its which proposed 10 myself when / commenced
this letter. i shall reserve for my next the do.
scripton Of other objects OF interest at Eikko
d. VS..
r..