ys every stranger has been required, exempting the Dutch
factory, to trample on an image of the Saviour, as an evidence of his
not being a Christian interloper.

To finish our history, we must record that Jyeyas, having established
his own usurpation, completed the reduction of the Mikado to a state of
helplessness; completed the fettering of the princes, and the protective
system of espial; and being deified, on death, under the name, of
Gongen, was the founder of the Gongen dynasty of Ziogoons, which still
rules in Japan, and still adheres to the protective system. But in
course of time the power of the Ziogoons has waned; the Ziogoon himself
is now a puppet to his council, which is governed by a president, who by
no means is able to do what he likes.

Let us now see how all the Japanese are tied and bound, and kept in
profound peace. In the first place, nearly half the population are
officials in pay, and the whole empire is sprinkled thickly with spies,
some public and official, who may intrude where they please, others
concealed and not acknowledged, although paid, by government.
Furthermore, every householder is required to watch the actions of his
five intermediate neighbors, and to keep a sharp eye upon movements
opposite. Every prince is assisted in his government by two secretaries,
whom the court appoints, one to reside with him, and the other to reside
at Jeddo. These take every act of government out of his hands. The
secretary, who lives with him, watches him, and acts upon instructions
from the secretary who resides at Jeddo, who again is prompted by the
council. Not only does the prince live surrounded by a mob of unknown
spies, but he is obliged, every alternate year, to leave his
principality and to reside at Jeddo; his wife and family are always kept
at Jeddo in the character of hostages. Furthermore, pains are taken to
prevent a prince from being rich. He is required at Jeddo to impoverish
himself by displays of pomp; and if his purse be long, the Ziogoon
invites himself to dinner with him; an honor great enough to ruin any
noble in Japan. Similar checks are upon all governors of towns and all
officials. Any neglect reported by a spy, any infraction of a rule,
threatens disgrace, and makes it necessary to perform the act of suicide
before described. So it was not without cause that they were taught at
school the hara-kiri. Perhaps you think the council is omnipotent. Far
from it. The council may, ind