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gods and men, the greatest of the race of men being Sin Mu Tenoo, in whose family the hereditary right to the Crown with a more than human authority was continued down to the present 114th Mikado, that is 2360 years, computing to the year of Christ 1700.”
The next succeeding chapter (8th) is devoted to the climate and the products of Japan. It includes observations under the following heads—namely, “Whirlpools,” “Waterspouts,” “Soil,” “Rivers,” “Earthquakes and places free from Earthquakes,” “Volcanoes.” Under the head of “Earthquakes” the author mentions a violent convulsion at Yedo which occurred in the year 1703, whereby, and by a great fire, almost the whole city was laid in ashes, upwards of 200,000 inhabitants being buried under the ruins. Some particular places in Japan are, he says, free from shocks of this nature—a fact which, he adds, is not called in question—amongst these are the islands of Gotho and Sikubusima and the mountain Kojasan near Miaco, famous for its convents. (p. 104.)
Amongst the mineral products of the Empire the author enumerates sulphur, gold, silver, copper, tin, iron, coal, salt, agates, jasper, pearls, naphtha, ambergris, and submarine substances. Of these, sulphur, he says, is brought chiefly from the province of Satsuma. Gold is found in several localities, the richest ore being in Sado. After the mines in Sado come those of Surunga. There are silver mines in the province of Bingo, and in Kattami. Copper is found chiefly in Surunga, Atsingo and Kijnokuni; tin in Bingo; iron in Mimasaka, Bitsju and Bisen; coal in Tsikusen and the northern provinces. Salt is produced from the sea-water. Pearls were but slightly esteemed until it was found that they were prized by the Chinese, when they became an article of export. Naphtha is found is Jetsingo; ambergris on the coast of Satsuma and in the Riuku islands. It is found chiefly in the intestines of the whale, called from their supposed length by the natives Fiakfiro, or the hundred fathom Fish. Submarine substances are found in abundance in the Japanese waters. Amongst the minerals imported
