Japan and the Japanese

DESCRIPTION OF JEDO. 361
mats, and the roofs with shavings of wood. The whole machine
being thus but a composition of combustible matter, we need not
wonder at the great havoc fires make in this country. Here, as
elsewhere, almost every house hath a place under the roof, or upon
it, where they constantly keep a tub full of water, with a couple of
mats, which may be easily come at, even from without the house ;
by which precaution they often quench a fire in particular houses ;
but it is far from being sufficient to stop the fury of a raging flame
which has got ground already, against which they know no better
remedy but to pull down some of the neighboring houses which
have not yet been reached, for which purpose whole companies of
firemen patrol about the streets day and night.
" The city is well stocked with monks, temples, monasteries, and
other religious buildings, which are seated in the best and pleasantest
places, as they are, also, in Europe, and, I believe, in all other
countries. The dwelling-houses of private monks are no ways dif-
ferent from those of the laity, excepting only that they are seated
in some eminent conspicuous place, with some steps leading up to
them, and a small temple or chapel hard by, or, if there be none,
at least a hall, or large room, adorned with some few altars, on
which stand several of their idols. There are, besides, many stately
temples built to Amida, Siaka, Quanwon, and several other of their
gods, not necessary to be particularly described here, as they do
not differ much in form or structure from other temples erected to
the same gods at Miako, which we shall have an opportunity to
view and describe more particularly upon our return to that city.
" There are many stately palaces in Jedo, as may be easily con-
jectured, by its being the residence of the emperor, and the abode
of all the noble and princely families. They are distinguished from
other houses by large court-yards and stately gates. Fine varnished
stair-cases, of a few steps,
lead up to the door of the house, which
is divided into several magnificent apartments, all of a floor, they
being not above one story high, nor adorned with towers, as the
castles and palaces are where the princes and lords of the empire
reside in their hereditary dominions.
" The city of Jedo is a nursery of artists, handicraftsmen, mer-
chants, and tradesmen, and yet everything is sold dearer than anywhere
else in the empire, by reason of the great concourse of people,
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