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242 HONDA THE SAMURAI.
kept under a canopy of oiled paper, in order that
plenty of sunlight, but only a certain amount of
water, should be given the plants.
His guests to-night were our friend Rai Goro and
a fine-looking gentleman about fifty-four years old
from Higo, named Koba, who had arrived in Fukui
early in the summer. After enjoying
a view of the
dainty flowers in the garden, the doctor receiving
showers of compliments, they adjourned to the
study-room. There, sitting upon the matting on
the floor, and looking out over the scenery and
upon another row of the same brilliant flowers, the
conversation began.
Doctor Sano's house, like those of many other
physicians at this time in the hermit kingdom of
Japan, was a center of light and intelligence. He
practiced medicine according to the Dutch, or Euro-
pean, method, and at his home gathered the scholars
and thoughtful men of the city. These kept as far
as possible from politics, and talked of science and
history and the reform of bad customs. They
especially delighted to discuss ethics, and particularly
the moral teachings of the great sage Confucius.
Among
the friends oftenest at the doctor's house were
Mr. Rai Goro and Professor Koba. Mr. Koba hacl
been invited by the lord of Echizen to come to
Fukui to be his personal adviser, and to encourage
ethical studies among the gentry. Mr. Koba had
already succeeded in gathering round him a circle of
young men who were eager students of the texts
of the sages and earnest lovers of moral culture.