But we cannot mention all the curious things that Tom and Moriyama saw in Japan.
It would require a book to tell about the wonderful processions, such as that of the white elephant, which, by the way, Tom thought was a real animal, until he saw that its legs did not move, and that under each of its feet were two human legs belonging to the men who carried the huge stuffed creature—and the many other strange things that they saw in the streets and houses of Japan.
PROCESSION OF THE WHITE ELEPHANT.
Suffice it to say, that since Tom came home—and it has been some years since his trip to Japan—he has earnestly endeavored to discover what particular thing it would be best for him to learn thoroughly and completely.
I am not sure that he has even yet made up his mind upon the subject, but he is convinced that if his experience among the Japanese had no better effect than to teach him that to know how to do something perfectly well, it is greatly to be desired, and well worth striving for—no matter how much time and toil it may require.
LUMINOUS INSECTS.
The fire-flies that flit about so merrily on our pleasant summer evenings, emit little sparkles of light, that seem like tiny stars, shining among the grass and trees. Sometimes the air is full of these twinkling lights, which are very pretty, though not sufficiently brilliant to help us to find our way on a dark night, or to bring into our houses to save the expense of candles or kerosene.
HUT LIGHTED BY BEETLES.