and southeast-and thence flows toward the Gulf of Osaka, into which it falls by several channels. Having lost a portion of its water above Osaka, it enters the city at its northeastern extremity and is thence divided. Its several streams, together with the numerous canals cut at right angles to each other, completely intersect the city, and Osaka has somewhat extravagantly been called the "Venice of Japan." These canals are crossed by over eleven hundred bridges. Although a bar at the mouth of the river prevents the entrance of large vessels, junks and small steamers ascend to the lower part of the city, while the canals are crowded with cargo boats conveying goods to and from the large fireproof storehouses along the banks. There are plans for the construction of an artificial harbor. Osaka, like several other Japanese cities, is now in the midst of an industrial and social revolution that is the outgrowth of the introduction of the modern manufacturing system. The city is surrounded by a belt of factories which turn out a large variety of goods for the home trade and for export to China, Korea, and other countries. Some of the factories are little more than rough sheds, yet even in these an astonishing amount of work is accomplished. On the other hand, the buildings and equipments of some of the large mills would compare favorably with those of manufacturing cities in America. These factories attract large numbers of operatives from the country districts, and are bringing about some of the social changes that have attended the development of manufactures in the West. The population of the city is nearly half a million; but in addition to those who are registered as permanent residents, the operatives in the factories and the multitudes of strangers coming to the city for business or pleasure largely increase the number of those who at any one time are within its limits; while thousands more dwell in the populous suburbs, which are separated by no visible line of demarcation from what is politically known as the city of Osaka. 5. Kobe. This city, about twenty miles distant from Osaka, has become nearly as important a port as Yokohama. In official circles it is often called Hiogo, that being the name of the city that by treaties was thrown open to foreign residence. It was found more convenient to have the settlement at the little fishing village of Kobe; and through the growth of foreign trade this has increased in importance until it has absorbed the older city. In 1895 it contained a population of 161,000. It has an excellent harbor, and the ground rises gradually for half a mile to the foot of steep mountains. The town presents a very attractive appearance as seen from vessels entering the harbor. 6. Nagasaki.-This city is in the island of Kyushu. It stands near the head of a lovely bay, which, with its rocky coasts and surrounding hills, makes an attractive scene, though the town itself is not so pleasant as most of the other treaty ports. The region is historically interesting because of its connection with the persecution of the Roman Catholic Christians in the seventeenth century, and also as having been the place where the Dutch were allowed to have a trading settlement which for two hundred and thirty years after the expulsion of foreigners in 1624 was the only point of contact between Japan and the western world. 7. Hakodate. This port, in the southern part of Yezo, is an important commercial centre and is in direct steam communication with Yokohama and other ports. The town is pleasantly situated on the slope of a hill and the shore of a land-locked bay, which forms a deep, commodious, and safe harbor. 8. Niigata. This city is on the west coast of Hondo, at the mouth of the Shinano-gawa, the largest river in Japan. It is the capital of one of the richest provinces in the empire, but suffers from lack of a good harbor. The important island of Sado, noted for its gold mines, is near Niigata. With the exception of Kyoto, the cities thus far mentioned are the so-called "open ports," or places where foreigners belonging to countries having treaties with Japan have been permitted to reside. Beyond certain specified limits in the vicinity of these ports, they have not been allowed to travel, except as they have obtained special permission from the Japanese Government; and they could not reside elsewhere unless they were employed by Japanese under contracts approved by the government. These restrictions, which have at times been a great obstacle to travel and to missionary work, are nearly at an end, as new treaties permitting foreigners to travel and reside in any part of the country become effective in July, 1899. 9. Other Cities.-Sapporo, the capital of Yezo, is a place of growing importance. It has an agricultural college whose graduates are doing much for the development of the island, which is being colonized by immigrants from the southern islands. Sendai is the commercial, military, educational, and religious centre for a large part of northeastern Hondo. Nikko is much visited by tourists because of its fine scenery and the temples connected with the burial places of the Shoguns Ieyasu and Iemitsu. A Japanese proverb runs, "Never say kekko (magnificent) until you have seen Nikko." Nagoya, the fourth largest city of Japan, is an important business and military centre. It is also noted for its porcelain factories and for a fine castle. In former times the cities where the daimyos, or feudal lords, resided and had their castles were the centres of the regions in which they were situated. Some of them have fallen into decay; but others of them, owing to their favorable location, or to the enterprise of the people in introducing manufactures, have retained their importance. For the most part, it is these "castle-towns that have presented the best openings for Christian work and have been chosen by missionaries for residence. X. Means of Communication.-I. Steamers from San Francisco, Tacoma, Seattle, and Vancouver sail regularly to Yokohama, most of them going on from that port to Kobe, Nagasaki, and China. The English, German, French, Austrian, and Japanese lines to Europe touch at several Asiatic ports on the way. A large number of steamers connect the important parts of Japan. Many of these boats are now built by the Japanese themselves. Some sailing vessels, especially those engaged in carrying oil, still ply between America and Japan. Much of the trade between the islands is carried on by the old-fashioned junks, though these are fast giving place to vessels of modern style. Small, flat-bottomed boats carry cargoes up and down the larger rivers. In descending streams, the traveller often finds that these furnish him a pleasant means of conveyance. They take him through picturesque scenery, and the shooting of rapids is exciting. 2. The country is being rapidly supplied with railroads. The first lines were built by the government, and the question whether it shall purchase those afterward constructed by private companies is much discussed. The railways are narrow-gauge. Those in Yezo have the American style of cars; elsewhere the English coaches are used. Fares for the three classes of the latter are equivalent, in American money, to about 11⁄2, 1, and 1⁄2 cent a mile. Few of the trains travel more than twenty miles an hour. A few short lines of electric roads have been constructed, and the abundance of water-power available for the production of electricity favors an increased use of such roads. 3. In old times the chief method of travel was by the kago, a sort of chair carried on the shoulders of men. It is still used in mountainous districts. Foreigners, not being made on the jack-knife plan, find it tiresome to ride doubled up in the fashion that these vehicles require. Many people think that the only comfortable way to ride in them is to get out and walk behind. In most places they have been replaced by the jinrikisha. An American missionary, desiring some conveyance for his invalid wife, showed the picture of a baby carriage to a Japanese carpenter and had him make something similar. The new vehicle was found so convenient that the Japanese copied it, and now the jinrikisha (or "manpower carriage," as the name signifies) is found in most parts of the country and has been introduced into China and India. The main roads of Japan are good, and in fair weather the traveller may expect to average between five and six miles an hour, or somewhat more, if he is going but a short distance. The same man will sometimes carry a passenger over fifty miles in a day. In Yezo and some other places carts and very uncomfortable coaches are the vehicles in use. 4. Japan has a good system of posts. Carriers deliver letters not only in large towns, but also in small villag |