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368 he is now remembered chiefly by two—the Ukiyo-furo and the Ukiyo-toko. The Ukiyo-furo was first published in 1809; but the blocks having been burnt, a second enlarged edition was brought out in 1811. The name of this work means "The World's Bath-house." It consists of a series of realistic sketches of everyday life, something in the manner of Mr. Anstey's Voces Populi, a certain unity being given to them by assigning the dialogues to the frequenters of a public bath-house—an institution well known in Japan as a centre of gossip for the neighbourhood. In the preface Samba protests that he writes in the interests of morality. "In bringing up children," he says, "we give them bitter pills and sweet malt-extract. The Chinese classics resemble the pills, while novels and stories correspond to the sweet stuff. Both convey instruction, though in different ways." The edifying character of the Ukiyo-furo is not very obvious to a casual observer, but it is undeniably amusing. Some Japanese critics rank it even before the Hizakurige. If any one cares to know what subjects are discussed by Japanese of the middle and lower classes when they meet, he will find ample means of gratifying his curiosity in this work. Here is a conversation between two matrons at the bath-house:—

Mrs. A. Well! I have tried lots of servants, but I find that instead of their serving you, it is you who have to serve them.

Mrs. B. Really? But I thought the maid who was with you till last year was such an amiable girl.

Mrs. A. Yes, and she was bound over to me for a long term; but as she had a good offer, I married her off and let her go.

Mrs. B. That was very nice of you.

Mrs. A. The one I have now has such a temper that I don't know what to do. If I reprove her she gets into a rage and