Risk led the way on a pulling pony, much against his will. On our return, tide being out and boat unable to come up to the spot at which we disembarked, we rode home through the town, the most curious feature of the ride being the facility with which the ponies travelled up and down a steep flight of stone steps. Had one short afternoon in the china and curio shops. Market in everything spoilt since the influx of Europeans; prices higher, and china, particularly that called the egg china, much inferior to what I had formerly received from here. Mr. Lindau gave me a magnificent specimen of the teredo or borer--the largest I have seen. [Sidenote: Flag in _Salamis_, June 26.] On the 26th _Salamis_ arrived, having the Commodore on board on leave. Shifted flag. The pending troubles in Japan appear to have excited the Saimonirai to renewed animosity against Europeans, and it became necessary to restrict the leave of the men, and to oblige officers to carry revolvers. I think my secretary, W. B. Risk, and nephew, Dob Crosbie, are now alive owing to this precaution; for one afternoon, returning in company from the native town of Nagasaki, a two-sworded man, heated by liquor, threw up his sleeve and was proceeding to draw his sword, when Risk’s revolver made its appearance, and the Saimonirai swaggered past. A few moments later, a number of Europeans in hot pursuit of the same man, informed them that he had cut down some people in the settlement, and the Portuguese Consul had barely escaped with his life. [Sidenote: Flag in _Salamis_. Inland Sea.] 4 A.M.--Weighed; dirty weather. So left the pretty scenery to keep for some more auspicious day. Made for Spex Straits, through which passage nothing can be prettier, but Japan is a new and interesting country, with--apparently--everything within itself, while the wants of the natives are few, and all appear happy and contented; a state of things to which the boasted superiority and civilisation of the European will speedily put an end. Beautiful pasture appeared on most of the hills, but beyond a few bullocks and buffaloes as beasts of burthen, and for agricultural purposes, cattle are not required by these simple people. They look strong and healthy, but eat no meat. On emerging from these narrow and winding Straits, in which there is depth of water for the largest ships, we made the entrance to the Inland Sea through the Straits of Shimonoseki; the rain kept off, and the sea without a ripple, the _Salamis_ made light work. As we entered the Straits, in addition to the ever-changing scene of hills and valleys, wood and pasture, coves, inlets, and snug anchorages, the scent of flowers was wafted off. [Sidenote: July 1.]