As we did not go to the capital, I cannot describe it.  We understood that there are two emperors of Japan--one acts as the civil governor, and the other as the head of all ecclesiastical affairs, a sort of pope or patriarch.  The laws are very strict, especially with regard to all communication with foreigners.  If a person of rank transgresses them and he is discovered, notice is sent to him, and he instantly cuts himself open with his sword, and thus prevents the confiscation of his property.  The people exhibit an extraordinary mixture of civilisation and barbarism; the latter being the result of their gross superstitious faith, and their seclusion from the rest of the world; the former shows how acute and ingenious must be their minds to triumph over such difficulties.