Sept. 13 To-pay the Japanese nation will cease with one accord from its ordinary pursuits to pay its last tribute to the memory of the late Emperor Mutsuhito, while in all countries lowered flags will bear witness to the passing of a great monarch. It is characteris-tie of Japan und of the intense reference in which the throne is held, that comparatively few Japanese, even of those actually resident in the capital will be able to view the funeral procession, as it winds its way through the broad avenues of Tokio, past the moats of the Imperial palace and the remnants of the old home of the Shoguns, to the Aoyama parade ground. Even to look from' upper windows, far less to erect stands from which the procession may be viewed, is forbidden. The occasion is one for mourning. And while to other nations it may appear that loyalty and reverence: are best served by assembling as many citizens as possible at the funeral of @ great ruler, for the sake of the impressions which they will carry with them through life, to the Japanese the burial of an emperor is something too sacred to be associated, however remotely, with anything in the nature of sightseeing. But if the number of spectators is likely to be small, compared with the length of the route and the size of the parade ground, no care has been neglect ed that can make the ceremonies worthy of the occasion. Their impressiveness will be enhanced by the fact that the funeral jaeakt Throughout the land, by torch-light- And simul-
from the gorgeous lacquered temples of Nikko to the rude shrines of the Kiushiu fishing villages, the people will bow the knee and pray for the memory of the Emp-error Mutsuhito.
Historically considered, the funeral suggests an instructive commentary upon the changes which the past reign has witnessed in the position of Japan both internally and with regard to other nations. While the ritual to be followed is that of the ancient Emperors of Japan, before the days of the Sho-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.