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position which is a well known feature in the Japanese character.
The materials used for building have been but slightly developed within late years. Wood, which still maintains its supremacy as the principal and the most commonly-used building material has not amproved in quality. It is of a most treacherous character as at present to be purchased in the market, this being due to a want of care in felling the timber, in seasoning it and in drying it. No trials have yet been made so far as I am aware of the strength, durability or weights of Japanese wood, so very little can be added to the information I gave in my former paper concerning it. There can be little doubt, however, that the extra demand for timber caused by the commencement of public works of magnitude, and by a desire for larger and more extensive edifices is causing a denudation of the forests of the country. The rapidity of decay in the material itself and, the wholesale destruction to which it is exposed by conflagrations keep up a steady demand for this the stock building material of the country, but if, to this is added the demand caused by the various improvements which have been instituted, the supply is unable to keep pace with it. With a recklessness which I fear is a characteristic of the people the forests are being taxed beyond their powers—timber itself has increased in cost within the last five years to twice or thrice its former price—and fears not unnaturally arise of certain climatic changes springing from the clearing of large of tracts of country of their former forests.
Bricks were introduced by foreigners some years ago and are rapidly getting into extensive use. They do not, however, as yet attain to that excellence of manufacture which make them at all a desirable building material. The process of brick-making, like all other work requiring skill, can only be carried out to perfection by experts. While the Japanese are well acquainted with the manufacture of various porcelain and terra-cotta articles for use or ornament, and succeed in this most
