Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-03-15

huodhA-Ehe Bigxrkl Idol and the
niBgest BIZ OF Rrass an the world.
Yokohama Correspondents of the New York
1ribune.I
We started from Yokohama at 5.SOir
the morning, = party Of six, in what 5
called here q travelling carriage bSrd-
seated, stiff springed vehicle but enc
strong aid well fitted for rough esaatTy
roads. Our course for over 3 nile was
along a lovely sea beach-she snest one
| have ever seen. Ii had 5 stretch Of
soft, shining sand, two o three times the
width Of that At Newport The roll az
our l~inrikshas over this and the gentle
murmur OF the surf in our ears made 4
charming contrast TO the thorough shak-.
ing up we had previously undergone
From this beach We turned abruptly up
q narrow road leading inland, and along
this we were jolted for several miles
These coolies never abate their speed for
such trihes as mndhOlss, bitches or other
obstacles in the road They jump lightly
over the holes eE asteAes carrying vita
them the jinrikshas. the occupants Of
which are supposed TO look Out Tor them
selves. This ride brought us within a
short distance of the object Of our trip,
namely, q sight OF Daibutz. the largest
aud most famous OF the many gods Of
Japan.
This idol is in the midst Of Splzin.
once the site Of a large city. NOE it is
surrounded only by 8 this grove Of trees
which have outIived the more perishabls
temples and shrines once included IN
these sacred grounds. and Of the city
only the small. struggling village Of Kan
akura remains. The approach 10 the
statue is by a broad walk Of aagstOnes,
and / almost dreaded the moment when
It wOuld be in full vieE, Tor fear Of a dis
appointment with regard 10 It's wonders,
OF which | had heard 30 much. Bat a
single glance dispelled this idea, for ia
size aud grandeur we're far beyond What
| had pictured ia my mind. Dalbutz
meaning the Great Baddha. IS about
seventy ieet In height entirely Of bronze.
and represents the god in his usual state
Of profound repOse, sitting erOsslegged.
the eyes closed and hands clASped viii
thumb nails meeting. Il rests up0a 1
stone foundation, and in front OF IT. up0I
3 stone altar, are tgo large bronze vases
each containing blossoms and leaves 81
the lOtos, a szcred plant OF the Buddhists
perfectly carved IN bronze, and in from
OF both is the inevitable cRsh-b0x
Climbing up the folds Of the gods gar
meuL which form safe iOOlh0lds for som
distance, We sat down on his immens,
thumbs, and some idea may be formed O
the size Of this statue BY the fact tina
three groSnp persons can sit comfortable
on one thumb between lis end and SECOND
ljOInL This majestic idol. perfect in III
proportions and sublime in It's expression
Of an eternity Of rspose. was placed in IL
present position many centuries sgO-s,
many that the exact date Of its erection
Is unknown. Two sire guarded window
are cut in The back hear the shoulders
aud door cut on one side admits visitors
Here We found 4 good sized room. viii
images Of various saints on two roagl
affairs, and incense burning before them
. Cut 10 the wood work Of the altar ana
written in japanese ink suySbere auC
Everywhere about this interior Of Ii.
statue we're iunumersble names and I'D
dresses Of visitors, most Of them, Iregre
10 ear, Of eur own cOuntrymen. Thil
nsms-Eriting propensity Of Americans
never appeared 10 me more obnoxioui
than on this occasion, when ! saw an oh
lject that has been reyered by generation
Of people desecrated by the puerile vani
y Of travellers We took jinriksbas bach
10 q tes-hOass in Ksmakura, where VI
had . substantial lunch. Theu ~retraeinl
the road We had previously travelled, VIZ
had another pleasant drive over the SET
beach, the waves BOw dashlng over thG
legs 81 orr coolies. and sending refresh
iHg showers Of spray into our faces
Children entirely naked ran after Us
Begging for "tempOs" in such a Winning
manner that We WOuldh have found ithard
to resist them, il We bad wished to do so
for their requests we're always prefaced
By charming little courtssies and tbs
s~slnistiOn "Obsyo." Or Good morning.