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24 HONDA THE SAMURAI.
of mountain-land being made by a rockery of lava,
volcanic and water-worn stones. Here are mimic
precipices, gorges, and dells, and over one projecting
crag of miniature proportions dashes a tiny cataract ;
the water, gliding through moss and aquatic plants,
joins the fish-pond a few feet off, which gleams with
darting gold-fish. A peculiar kind of cake or crack-
nel, kept ready in a pail, is used to feed the finny pets
and gives ample reason for their fatness. At the end
of the pond is a quarter-acre of lotus flowers in
bloom. Their colossal leaf-shields, two feet and a
half in diameter, hold in their heart glittering jewels
of dew. The blossoms, white and pink, six inches
across, are beautiful beyond description.
The lotus is the sacred flower of the Buddhists.
It is found on their temple altars, sculptured and
carved in their architecture. The Buddhist sutras,
or sacred writings, are called lotuses. The stone
which holds the bier during the services at the tomb
is carved to represent the lotus. It is the symbol
of creation, immortality, divinity. In Nirvana, the
devout believer in Buddha hopes to be absorbed in
the bosom of Buddha who sits upon a lotus. To
"sit on the lotus" means to go to the Buddhist
heaven.
Tall and venerable trees casting grateful shade,
the sound of purling water, cool breezes blown over
fragrant white lilies, tall and swaying these strike
the senses with delight as we sit for a very few moments
awaiting the arrival of our hostess. A servingmaid
first brings in refreshments a tray containing