At a distance of three leagues from the capital of Japan, there is a temple celebrated for the concourse of persons, of both sexes, and of all ranks, who crowd thither to worship an idol believed to work miracles.  Three hundred men consecrated to the service of religion, and who can give proofs of ancient and illustrious descent, serve this temple, and present to the idol the offerings which are brought from all the provinces of the empire.  They inhabit a vast and magnificent edifice, belonging to the temple, and surrounded with gardens where art has combined with nature to produce enchantment.  I obtained permission to see the temple, and to walk in the gardens.  A monk advanced in years, but still full of vigour and vivacity, accompanied me.  I saw several others, of different ages, who were walking there.  But what surprised me was to see a great many of them amusing themselves by various agreeable and sportive games with young girls elegantly dressed, listening to their songs, and joining in their dances.  The monk, who accompanied me, listened with great civility and kindness to the questions I put to him concerning his order.  The following is the sum of his answers to my numerous interrogations.  The God Faraki, whom we worship, is so called from a word which signifies the fabricator.  He made all that we behold—­the earth, the stars, the sun, etc.  He has endowed men with senses, which are so many sources of pleasure, and we think the only way of shewing our gratitude is to use them.  This opinion will, doubtless, appear to you much more rational than that of the faquirs of India, who pass their lives in thwarting nature, and who inflict upon themselves the most melancholy privations and the most severe sufferings.

As soon as the sun rises, we repair to the mountain you see before us, at the foot of which flows a stream of the most limpid water, which meanders in graceful windings through that meadow-enamelled with the loveliest flowers.  We gather the most fragrant of them, which we carry and lay upon the altar, together with various fruits, which we receive from the bounty of Faraki.  We then sing his praises, and execute dances expressive of our thankfulness, and of all the enjoyments we owe to this beneficent deity.  The highest of these is that which love produces, and we testify our ardent gratitude by the manner in which we avail ourselves of this inestimable gift of Faraki.  Having left the temple, we go into several shady thickets, where we take a light repast; after which, each of us employs himself in some unoppressive labour.  Some embroider, others apply themselves to painting, others cultivate flowers or fruits, others turn little implements for our use.  Many of these little works are sold to the people, who purchase them with eagerness.  The money arising from this sale forms a considerable part of our revenue.  Our morning is thus devoted to the worship of God and to the exercise of the sense of Sight, which begins