APPENDICES.

APPENDIX I.

As the severely classical character of the Japanese poetical dramas is in practice relieved by the performance between every other metrical piece of a prose comedietta, it may not be out of place to give the English reader some idea of what the latter are like. The following specimens are two taken at random from among those which the translator has himself seen acted in Yedo. The technical name of these little plays is Nou Kiyau-Geñ, which might be almost literally rendered as "Folies Dramatiques." They possess in tho original a philological interest out of all proportion to the lightness of their construction, as they are almost the only source of our knowledge of the spoken Japanese of the Middle Ages; the written and spoken languages of Japan, as of several other Eastern countries, having all within historical times differed very considerably from each other both in grammar and in vocabulary. Their date is the same as that of the Dramatic Poems. They are, of course, acted on the same platform, and derive as little adventitious aid from scenery and stage effect.

Rector.-I am rector of this temple. I have to call my curate, to make a communication to him.

there are you there? halloo !

Curate! are you

Curate.-Here am I! What is your reason for being pleased to call me?

Rector.-My reason for calling you is just simply this: I, unworthy priest, am already stricken in years, and the duties of the temple service weigh heavily upon me. So, do you please to understand that, from to-day, I resign this benefice in your favour.

Curate. I feel deeply indebted [to your reverence]. But, as I am still deficient in learning, and as, morcover, no time, however late, would seem too late to me, I beg of you to be so kind as to delay this change.

Rector.-Nothing could please me more than your most charming answer. But [you must know that], though retiring from the rectorship, I do not intend to leave the temple. I shall simply take up my abode in the back apartment; so, if there should be any business of any kind, please to let me know.

Curate.-Well, if it must be so, I will act in accordance with your august desire.

Rector.-And mind (though it will carcely be necessary

for me to say so) that you do everything in such a manner as to please the parishioners, and make the temple prosperous.

Curate.-Pray feel no uneasiness [on that head]! I will do things in such a way as to please the parishioners right well.

Rector.-Well, then, I retire without further delay. So, if there should be anything you want to ask, come and call me.

Curate.-Your commands are laid to heart.

Rector.-And if any parishioner should call, please to let me know.

Curate.-Your injunctions shall be kept in mind.-Ha! ha this is delightful! To think of the joy of his ceding the benefice to me to-day, just as I was saying to myself, "When will the rector resign in my favour? when will he resign in my favour?" The parishioners, when they hear of it, are sure to be charmed; so I mean to manage in such a way as to give them all satisfaction.

First Parishioner.-I am a resident in this neighbourhood. I am on my way to a certain place on business; but, as it has suddenly begun to threaten rain, I think I will look in at the parish-temple, and borrow an umbrella. Ah! here it is! Hoy! admittance!

Curate.-Oh! there is some one hallooing at the gate! Who is that asking for admittance? Who is that hallooing? First Par.-It is I.

Curate.-Oh! you are indeed welcome!

First Par.-It is long since I last had the honour of coming to inquire after you; but I trust that the worthy rector and yourself are still in the enjoyment of good health.

Curate.-Oh yes! we both continue well. But I must tell you that, moved by some impulse or other, my master has deigned to resign the benefice in my favour. So I pray that you will continue as heretofore to honour our temple with your visits,

First Par.-That is an auspicious event; and if I have not been [before] to offer my congratulations, it is because I was not apprised of it. Well! my present reason for calling is just simply this: I am off to-day to a certain place; but as it has suddenly begun to threaten rain, I should feel much obliged if you would kindly condescend to lend me an umbrella.

Curate.-Certainly! Nothing easier! I will have the honour to lend it to you. Please wait here an instant. First Par.-Oh! very many thanks.

Curate. Here, then! I will have the honour to lend you this one.

First Par.-Oh! I owe you very many thanks.

Curate. Please always tell me if there is anything of any kind that I can do for you.

First Par.-Certainly! I will call in your assistance. [But] now I will be off.

Curate.-Are you going?

First Par.-Yes. Good-bye!
Curate.-Good-byo !

First Par.-I am much indebted to you.

Curate.-Thanks for your visit.

First Par.-Ah! well! that is all right! I will hasten on. Curate.-As ho said I was to let him know if any of the parishioners came, I will go and tell him what has passed. Pray are you in?

Rector.-Oh that is you!

Curate.-How dull your reverence must be feeling!
Rector.-No, I am not dull,

Curate.-Somebody has just been here.

Rector.-Did he come to worship, or was it that he had business with us?

Curate. He came to borrow an umbrella; so I lent him

one.

Rector.-Quite right of you to lend it. But tell me, which umbrella did you lend !