Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/346

Rh stalk had branches. In consequence, all sentences from that of minor banishment downwards were remitted.

Prince Wakasa, of the 3rd rank, died.

Winter, 10th month, 1st day. At Naniha there fell a rain of something like floss silk. It was five or six feet long and seven or eight inches wide. It floated on the wind and waved from the fir woods and reed plains. The people of that day called it "sweet-dew."

26th day. The Emperor issued a decree, saying:—"Let all civil and military officials of the central and provincial governments every year consider the degree of competence of their subordinates from the rank of clerk upwards, who are animated by a disinterested public spirit and discharge their duties with zeal and respect, and let them determine accordingly the promotion they should receive. Not later than the first decade of the first month they should forward a full report to the judge. Thereupon the judge, having compared and decided, shall submit (his recommendation) to the Daibenkwan. However, when officers are ordered to go on missions of a public nature and refuse for trifling reasons—not genuine illness or mourning for parents—they are not to be placed in the schedule for promotion."

12th month, 27th day. Bramblings flew from south-west to north-east, covering the sky.

In the course of this month there was a great earthquake in Tsukushi. The ground split open to the width of two rods and a length of more than 3000 rods. Many of the peasants' houses in all the villages were brought down in ruins. At this time there was a peasant's house situated on the top of a hill. On the evening of the earthquake the hill crumbled down and changed its place. Yet the house remained intact and was