The Literature, History, and Civilization of the Japanese [pp. 306-329]

322 THE LITERATURE, HISTORY AND CIVILIZATION [April,
peans are infinitely more numerous than formerly; any one
who possesses solid scientific or industrial knowledge is sure
of being received as a benefactor. I do not mean to say that
preference is not still given to physicians. People there
would rather die following the learned rules of Occidental medicine, than under the hands of native doctors of the Chinese
school or of sorcerers. These last, however, are the most inoffensive people in the world; if you consult them, they do
nothing but seat you sideways, with your eyes fixed on thQ
ends of your nostrils, your hands crossed, your legs straight
and stiff~ and after they have inspected you in this attitude
for nearly half an hour, they have found out everything by
your face and physiognomy; a potion of wdl-water and some
cabalistic words compose their prescription. They often obtain happy results. But, as I said before, the Japanese prefer to end their lives according to the rules of art.
Latterly, some Dutch and French physicians have established several clinics in Japan, and have introduced the natives to the practice of dissection. The first results have been
excellent, and the physicians of the Tycoon's embassy have
shown during their residence in Europe, how eager they are to
gain information, not only of the principles of physiology, but
also of the most delicate processes of modern surgery. They
have performed several operations in our hospitals which have
excited the astonishment and admiration of our most distinguished practitioners. I have often heard them express regret that a larger number of doctors and medical students do
not go to their country, where they would find positions equal
to their highest hopes.
After medicine, the natural and exact sciences are most interesting to the islanders of the East. General observatories
have been founded ill the principal cities of the empire; but
they yet lack many of the more accurate instruments, v~hich
the native opticians do not make with the perfection now attained in ~ranc~ and England. Besides, the personal instruction in these establishments is insufficient. It is the intention
of the government of the Tycoon to associate with the state
astronomers skilful foreigners who may decide to establish