The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-03-03
mar its perfect symmetry. Just as it

4
came clearly into view in the semi-tw;-
light preceding sunrise, Old Sol him.
self peeped over the horizon of the
ocean in the east and his rays glanced
across the majestic peak producing an
effect that was gorgeous and of inde-
scribable beauty. Imurmured: aThat's
picture no artist can paint!, "Thank
you sir" said the old captain, 81 am
repaid by your reYerent admiration.
That one sentence adequately express
es my views, for indeed any attempt to
describe in language or in colors Ma
lures magnificent scenery such as this,
would be futile"
YOKOHAMA AND IT'S VICINITY.
Later in the day we arrived in the
harbor of Yokohama, running by the
new and formidabls forts and fortifica-
tions which have lately been completed
and which undoubtedly would make it
decidedly interesting for any fleet that
might attempt to force its way into
the harbor. Yokohama is the most i.i-
teresting and important city CONNER
cially in Japan, aad here we passed
several days in wishing the curio shops,
purchasing few df the curious and
rare articles that struck our fancy.
We were obliged togo slow on expend-
itures by compulsion, not through in
clination, for so bsautiful and wonder
ful is the Japanese handiwork and
so moderate in price as compared
with prices in seur own country,
that we were inclined to mortgage our
future prospects aud load ourselves
down with curiosities and works of
art.
From Yokohama as headquarters,
we visited the ~capital city, Toxic,
about eighteen milss north, and several
other points of interest. Toxic is not
only the capital, but is the largest city
in japan, and was told that the pop
ulation was estimated between 2,OOO,-
900 and 100000 of people, and that
the city covered an area three times
that of London, due to the fact that
there is plenty of room and no sky
scrapers or crowded tenements. Here
We visited the parks and temples, the
tombs OF the Shoguns, or former rul-
ers, the grounds surrounding the inn
I perial palace, and places of interest too
numerous to mention. The emperor's
palace itself and the grounds immedi-
ately adjacent thereto, are surrounded
with formidable walls, an ancient moat
and is guarded by soldiers. Visi-
tors are not permitted to enter.
| THE GREAT BRONZE BUDDIIA.
Returning to Yokohama we took
day to visit small village
OH the coast few miles south
of Yokohama, noted merely for
the immense bronze statue of Buddha
that is located there. This statue is
between forty and fifty feet in height
and represents the great philosopher in
a sitting posture with limbs crossed
tailor fashion. 1t is hollow with an
entrance at the side and contains
steps by means Of which the visitor
can ascend and look out window i'm
the back of the head as we'll as study
the colossal dimensions and method of
construction of tie image. 1t appears
to have been constructed of plates of
solid bronze from SIX to ten inches in
thickness and Of immense size, each
cast in mould to fit its proper place
and give the required shape. In some
way these plates were welded firmly
together SO that it is practically one
immense piece, perfect in finish and
symmetry. We were told that it was
built 1000 years ago and was originally
covered with a magnificent temple, the
/ foundation stones of the same being
pointed out to us by the guide. At
that time the village was one Of the
largest and most important cities in
Japan, but many years later it was Wis
tied by terrible earthquake and
tidal wave came from the sea, washing
over the city, killing the people and de-
stroying the buildings, but it was un-
able to obliterate old Buddha who still
sits there in the open air as he has sat
for ages, silent, immovable monn-
ment of bygone days.
We intended to 60 to Kioto by rail
from Yokohama but were advised to