As regards the beliefs of the ancient religion, Shintoism, it taught primarily the existence of gods, and in the division which it made of them into good and bad, recognized that fundamental and eternal distinction between right and wrong, the deep rooting of which in the human soul has been man’s safeguard against what is bad in religions and in everything else.--SIR EDWARD J. REED. Japan is one of the most interesting of countries to the American people. It is our nearest neighbor on the west; and America was mainly instrumental in introducing Japan into the ranks of the nations of modern times. The present line of Mikados among the Japanese is the longest continued among existing nations. China has changed its dynasties many times, and has been twice subdued by foreigners, the Mongols and the Manchis; but the line of Japanese monarchs is an unbroken series from B.C. 660 to the present day. The Mongols sought to conquer the Island Empire in 1281 A.D.; but they were utterly defeated and driven away. The present emperor, Mutsuhito, is the one hundred and twenty-third Mikado of Japan. The religions of this people are two, Shintoism and Buddhism. The tenets of Confucius have been introduced together with Buddhism, and Buddhist preachers of to-day take their texts from the classic Chinese books. Shintoism has been much mixed up with Buddhism. Many features of its worship have been changed in imitation of Buddhism, and some of its essential doctrines have been greatly modified. There has been some discussion as to whether Shintoism is really a religion or only a system of state-craft; but it is very generally believed to be a religion which has degenerated into a mere system of political machinery. Certainly it has gods and goddesses, and sacred symbols, legends, myths and religious notions which existed in Japan long before Buddhism came there. There are also sacred books which have no connection with the Buddhist writings. The temples and priests are an innovation of later days. Shintoism is and was the State religion; it is supported by the State; its head is the emperor, the Mikado; its sacred books are but the chronicles of its history, and the whole system is interwoven with the national life of Japan. THE SACRED BOOKS OF JAPAN.