and improve the manners of the people." This hexagram has a "tree" above the "mountain," and "water" in the middle, and then it represents an abundance of navigable rivers, and fine forests. As our country abounds in volcanic veins, the growth of trees is very quick, so that if we, afraid of being productiveness of wild beasts, fell the trees down and export to countries where wood for architectural purposes, fuel, and charcoal, are deficient, they will occupy half the exports of our products. Now, the Imperial Household is protecting the forests, and the natural source of wealth is greatly augmented. Then, this hexagram is exactly to the point. Many of our forests are subjected under the possession of the Household, and it may be expected that the income from them will be utilized in the refinement of the Society.

Again, the hexagram of "Zen" is that of the "Return into Spirits" of "Gon ()," and "Gon" implies a mountain, and also a temple. The inland mountains are barren, while the external are clothed; or the internal temples are solitary, while the external are flourishing. This gives an emblem of the influence of foreign religions.

From the preceding articles, it will be seen that there is no objection as to allowing foreigners to be intermixtured. Our country has been, and will continue to be, unrivalled in the world since the time of the Emperor Jimmu-Tennō, in point of our sacredness and blessedness. And as it is now a time of general intercourse of all the nations of the world, the public must be conscious of it. As to the benefit of our advancing in conformity with this hexagram, no scholars, with their full power of intellect, will not be able to decide, as it is a divine will and not a human. It will by be no means a difficult matter for the Government officers to agree with one another and to follow this system of which no human intellect can be aware.

MR. JUICHIRO WADA'S FORTUNE.

While in imprisonment, Mr. J. Wada, Judge, came to me unexpectedly, and asked me to divine his fortune. I recollected my divination of Nishimura, of Mitsuse, and of me, and I consented. I obtained the change of "Zen "into "Kwan (M).'

"The 'Positive III' says, 'Storks proceed to the land. A husband goes and does not come back. A woman is pregnant but is not supported. Unlucky. Advantageous to defend foes.' 'A husband goes and does not return' is the emblem of your rising in office, and 'A woman is pregnant but is not supported,' is that of your superintendent's retiring. Thus, the 'Interpretation' says, 'he separates himself from the vulgar mass' for you, and she has departed from the path of righteousness' for the superintendent. If these words be true for you, the superintendent (Bugyō) will retire, and you will occupy his position. But you must be warned by the phrase, 'advantageous to defend foes' which is interpreted as 'to follow a moderate course.' If you be not careful of yourself, another person will occupy his chair."

Mr. Wada said, "The words may be true, but I do not deserve your interpretation. Should it come out to be the case, then I shall set you free." After a few weeks, the superintendent retired and Kitarō Shimizu succeeded, Wada becoming the Vice-Superintendent. The latter then consulted with the former, and fulfilled his promise by shortening my terms of fifty months into twenty.

DISEASE OF MR. UJITOMO TODA'S MOTHER.

Jenshin-In-Den, the mother of Lord Ujitomo Toda, late Feudal Lord of Ogaki, was staying in my mansion

at Kanagawa for a few months, to cure her sickness there, Mr. Bunkai Totsuka, an eminent physician of Tōkiō. visited her every other day. One day when I was conversing with the doctor, he said, "I was afraid that the disease of Mrs. Jenshin-In will change itself to a serious one, but four or five days since, it has become a little lighter, yet I am afraid even now, as she is rather exhausted and worn, she will not get well for a long time forward." "Do not be troubled too much," I replied "For I divined her sickness the other day, and obtained the 'Negative IV' of 'Zen (UM).' I knew, therefore, her life is to terminate in the year after next.' Mr. Totsuka, dropped his head, and sunk into a pensive meditation, but said not a word. Mr. Matsuno the vassal of the Toda House, who was then in the next room, overheard our conversation, and was startled. "Mr. Takashima!" he said, rushing into my room, "is her life to end year after next?" As I told it to Mr. Totsuka, without being aware of the vassal's presence, I told him not to speak to others.

In the 3rd. year from this, she died, and in the Renko-Ji of Komagome, the churchyard of Toda's ancestors, I saw Mr. Totsuka, at her funeral. We recollected my prophesy of her death, and admired the mystery of the "Eki." In fact, "Zen" is the hexagram of the "Returning to Spirit," and the number three from the fourth to the top represents her end in three years.

LIV. KIMAI (To give a daughter in marriage).

Ki-mai. Unlucky to advance. Not advantageous in any way.

Exposition. Ki-mai represents a fundamental principle of the Heaven and the earth. Without the intercourse between the Heaven and the earth, nothing can take rise. Thus, Ki-mai comprehends both the beginning and end of men. It is joyful and moves; and a daughter is given in marriage. "Unlucky to advance," because the position is improper. "Not advantageous in any way," because the weak elements sit upon the strong ones.

Interpretation. The thunder pealing over a pond, is [the emblem of] Ki-mai. Honourable men accordingly strive to perpetuate their posterity and remind themselves of the decay of things.

Positive I. In giving a daughter in marriage, her younger sister is made to accompany her. A lame person is able to walk. Lucky to advance.

her

Interpretation. "In giving a daughter in marriage, younger sister is made to accompany her," because the younger sister possesses a quality of consistency. "A lame person is able to walk" and it will be "lucky," because that person is able to serve the lord.

Positive II. A blind person is able to see. Advantageous for the constancy of a quiet person.

Interpretation.

Advantageous for the constancy of a quiet person," because [Positive II] has not yet departed from a normal line of conduct.

Negative III. A daughter to be given in marriage is waiting, and [desires] to become a mistress.

Interpretation. "A daughter to be given in marriage is waiting" because she is in an improper position. Positive IV. A daughter to be given in marriage has passed her age of marriage. She is waiting for marriage. She will have an opportunity.

Interpretation. To "pass her age of marriage," implies that she desires to wait [until a proper match is found] and then to marry.

Negative V. A princess of blood is given in marriage. Her sleeves are not so long as those of a mistress. The moon is near fulness. Lucky.

Interpretation. "A princess of blood is given in marriage. Her sleeves are not so long as those of a mistress"-her position is middle and she marries for her position, [and not for her clothing].

Negative VI. A woman offers up a basket, but it is empty. A gentleman cuts open a sheep, but no blood is found. Not advantageous in any way.

Interpretation. [Negative VI] is empty [-hearted], 'that is, she offers up an empty basket.

EXAMPLE.

LIFE OF A PUBLIC STORY-TELLER, CHŌKA ITO.

A Lord came to my mansion, and as it was raining and as we felt all gloomy, I invited a public storyteller C. Itō, who happened to be in a certain publichouse, and made him tell a story. After his story, we held a feast and passed the evening very pleasantly. Chōka observed a set of “divining sticks" on the mantlepiece, and asked me "Do you like 'Eki'?" "Yes," I answerd, "I have been handling the sticks for a long time, but have only mastered the way of divining. "Our