It did not seem worth
while to go minutely over the Mint, as it is arranged on exactly the
same principle as the one in London, and the processes are carried out
in the same manner.
Osaka used to be the emporium of all the inland commerce, and was
considered the pearl of Japanese cities. After the revolution, and
when the Mint was built, there was some intention of making it the
capital of the empire. That idea was, however, abandoned; and the
inconvenience of having the Mint so far away from the seat of
government is greatly felt, all the bullion having to be sent
backwards and forwards at great expense by sea. Commerce has now
almost deserted Osaka, owing to the difficulty experienced by large
ships in anchoring near the town, and the impossibility of their
crossing the bar. The foreign consuls and representatives have all
left the place for the newly established settlement at Kobe, where
they feel safer, with men-of-war at anchor just under their windows.
[Illustration: Wayside Travellers.]
There was just time to go round some of the old streets, and to some
of the shops, before the hour by which we were due at the station.
Osaka is famous for its waxworks and theatres. Five of the best of
these have, however, been burnt down within the last eighteen months,
with terrible loss of life.
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