The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-12-14
Letter TO Chicago Tribune.7


After ali hours ride from the
Seaport Hiogo, by rail, we reach Osaka,
very ancient city of over 6UO, 900 people,
and lying at the head of Osaka Bay, 1t is
the centre of vast commerce Dy steamer
and junks of the smaller class, large sand
bar spelling the harbor for large vessels.
Aside from the Government Mint located
here, and said 10 be OF the largest in
the world, and a few dilapioated old tenn
pies, so old that even the Japanese do not
know who built them, nothing of special
interest is to be seen. The Governors cas-
tie, over mile in circumference. and strong
ly fortified, overlooks the northeastern por-
ton of the city. Thence the road sweeps
round a spur of the mountain, and on
through the same rich valley, and in one
hour more we roll into the fine station and
alight in the sacred city of Japan, the Rome
of the Empire, where for thousand years
the Mikados, the spiritual Emperors OF the
nation, held theig court Like Jerusalem
of old, Kyoto is "a city altogether lovely
Few travellers have seen it, and probably
no O. her city in the world SO combines in
its parks and palaces the beauties of both
CITY and coun ~. It's hundred hills are
covered with sacred groves, pagodas, tenn
ples and converts, while lovely parks and
pleasure grounds greet the eye on every
side. True, they are fast going to decay,
yet as they are
BEAUTIFUL EVEN IN THEIR DECLINE,
what must the city have been in the zenith
of it's glory The main portion of the city
Iiessin a fertile plain, bounded by chains of
hills ever preeu, and behind which lies the
finest view in Japan-so say the Japanese
themselves A dozen rivers flow into 1t,
and from it rises the 1odo-gana, which
runs to the south of kyoto, and thence INTO
the inland sea. Two branches of this river
flow directly beneath the walls of kyoto,
on tie east and west, thus completely sur
rounding it with a net work Of running
water, which is utilized in forming canals
i'm all directions through the city, and sup
nlviup the tanks and fish-ponds in the tenn
nles and Imperial parks. The temples OF
the CITY are almost counties, each mas lls
crowd of wcrshipers, who are there at all
hours of the day and night, and with re-
spectful curiosity at the still novel sight OF
foreigner among them. Scarcely score
of travellers have seen kyoto we hrSt Wis
tied
THE GREAT TEMPLE OF MARC.
Here is seen the largest bell in the world,
HANGING in a tower on the hill and as per-
feet in tone as tie day it was suspended
Rv measurement it exceeds the great bells
at Pekinp. China, and at Russia, both OF
which are also said to be cracked. mere
the bell was cast and by whom is lost IN
the shades of antiquity. Chinese and San
| sclit characters cover the entire surface oi
the bell but no modern japanese scholar
| or oriest can translate them. This bell is
twenty four feet in height and sixteen IN
| cbes thick at the rim, aud, when the priests
| sound il at 8 O'Clock every evening, its ma
| ;estic boom boom is heard many miles
down the valley. None OF the bells In
Japan have "clappers," but are sounded by
suspepded levers of wood, used like pat
| tering-ran, and striking the bell on the
J outside. Next we saw the great Tempe OF
{ Iingmoto, whose grounds, and gateways,
! and bronze house where the priests reside
| cover one square mile of ground. Here
| was a great .hrong of worshlpeEs, though
| the hour was early. AT the entrance vas
MAGNIFICENT bronze OK, life size, which has
! some sacred qualities III the eyes Oh the
Japanese particularly curing diseases. ne
| faithful believe that If they pass the mana
over any portion of the image, and Immedi-
atelv rub the corresponding part OF their
own body, it will be forever protected from
| disease. A crowd is always going through
| This ceremony, and the OK is worn oilght
| in every part from this.
| CONSTANT DRAIN on HIS HEALING VIRTUES.
The idol behind the shrine, though small,
was richly -gilded, and score OF priests
were going through ceremony ana cnahl-
| inc nravers. A small fee to one OF them
| admitted us 20 their private apartments IN
| a separate building, where the 200 priests
| attached to this temple live. Every room
was carpeted with a fine carpet of foreign
| manufacture, and the dividing screens were
richly -gilded. The temple itself had lofty
| and beautifully inlaid ceiling: The pleas
',re-orounds about the buildings are ex-
! onisite shady walks and miniature lakes
fnIl of beautiful fish, and spanned by
bridges of costly carved stone-work, make
delightful retreat for the weary soul The
Darwinian theory was doubtless familiar to
the Japanese 500 years ago, for on the
| carved door of this temple was wrought IN
wood and bronze q scene showing hrst
,nontev. then an ape. then gorilla, and so
an up. until by gradual development the
last tipuIe was a perfect man, surroynded
by elephants aud curious birds. These
d.ors we're carved and erected over SOC
years ago from what source did the work