. William H. Seward's travels around the world. ossal tombs of the Tycoons whoruled in Japan so many centuries. Some of the tombs are ofgranite, others of bronze. They surpass, not only in costliness,but in impressive effect, any imperial or royal modern cemeteryin the West. The sarcophagus, the obelisk, and the shaft, formsfamiliar in Western monumental architecture, equally prevail monuments bear no epitaphs, but each is surrounded withmany lantern-bearing votive shrines, covered with inscriptionscommemorative of the virtues and achievements of the dead, andexpressing the affection
. William H. Seward's travels around the world. ossal tombs of the Tycoons whoruled in Japan so many centuries. Some of the tombs are ofgranite, others of bronze. They surpass, not only in costliness,but in impressive effect, any imperial or royal modern cemeteryin the West. The sarcophagus, the obelisk, and the shaft, formsfamiliar in Western monumental architecture, equally prevail monuments bear no epitaphs, but each is surrounded withmany lantern-bearing votive shrines, covered with inscriptionscommemorative of the virtues and achievements of the dead, andexpressing the affection and gratitude of the princes by whom thetributary structures were erected. The domain is planted withgreat taste. Each particular tree and shrub has been formed andtrained into a shape suggestive of religious sentiment. By the side of the cemetery stands the Temple of Sheba. Whatwith hideous devices of the great red dragon of Japan, with hisforked wings, flaming mane, and powerful claws, the monstrous •-• 60 JAPAN, CHINA, AND COCHIN TOMBS OF TIIE TYCOONS. transformations of Buddha into lions rampant and roaring, pea-cocks proud and strutting, and sagacious storks stalking andprophesying, the interior of the temple is a weird combinationof the mythic and the terrific. Though we have experienced neither menace nor insult, ourguard is nevertheless indispensable to protect us against intrusivecuriosity. The crowds gather around, and follow us wherever wealight and wherever we go. Perhaps the escort might be neededin case of sudden excitement or tumult, such as is liable to happenin every great city. That was not only, a seasonable but a pretty and pleasant break-fast which Sir Harry and Lady Parkes gave us at the British lega-tion. It did not need the after divertissement of native zeal and efficiency of Sir Harry Parkes, as minister, are wellknown. Lady Parkes is not less distinguished for the spirited man-ner in which she sustains him in his diplomatic
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Keywords: ., bookcentury180, bookdecade1870, booksubjectvoyagesaroundtheworld
