368
JAPAN.
consists of whole and broken dollars by weight. In accounts between foreigners and Chinese merchants, Mexican dollars are mostly converted into taels, at the rate of 1,000 dollars for 720 taels. But payments in cash are usually weighed at 717 taels for 1,000 dollars.
Weights and Measures.
The Leang, or Tael......
""
Picul....
Catty. Chih... Chang.
""
"}
Lys, or Li.......
11 oz. avoirdupois. 133 lbs.
1
14
10
""
inches.
112 feet.
""
""
194 to a degree, or about } English mile.
In the tariff settled by treaty between Great Britain and China, the Chih of 14 English inches has been adopted as the legal standard. It is the only authorised measure or length at all the ports of trade, and its use is gradually spreading all over the empire.
JAPAN.
(SHO KOKU.-NIPPON.)
Constitution and Government,
The system of government of the Japanese empire is that of an absolute monarchy. It was adopted in the year 1869, when the now ruling sovereign overthrew, after a short war, the power of the formerly independent Daimios, or feudal nobles, reducing them to the position of simple tenants of the vast estates in their hereditary possessions. The sovereign bears the name of Supreme Lord, or Emperor; but the appellation by which he is generally known in foreign countries is the ancient title of Mikado, or "The Venerable.' Mikado of Japan. Mutsu Hito, born at Yedo, September 22nd, 1852; succeeded his father, Komei Tenno, 1867; married, December 28th, 1868, to Princess Haru-ko, born April 17th, 1850, daughter of Prince Itchidgo.
The power of the Mikado is absolute and unlimited, in temporal as well as spiritual affairs. He acts through an executive ministry, divided, in imitation of that of France under Napoleon III., into eight departments, of the Imperial House, of Foreign Affairs, War Navy, Finances and the Interior, Justice, Public Instruction, and Ecclesiastical Affairs. At the side of the Ministry stands the 'Sain,' or Senate, composed of thirty members, and the 'Shoïn,' or Council of State, of an unlimited number or members, both nominated by the Mikado, and consulted by him at his pleasure.
There exists no regular law of succession to the throne, but in case of the death or abdication of the Mikado, the crown devolves generally, not on his son, but on either the eldest or the most distinguished member of his house. It is not uncommon that palace intrigues settle the choice, the only condition of legality of which, is that the elect should be a member of the Shi Shinnô, the Four Imperial Relatives,' or Royal Families of Japan. The throne can be, and has frequently been, occupied by a female, who, however, is not allowed to remain single, but must seek a consort within the limits of the Shi Shinnô.
The government is at present organised on a basis which is partly European. The Mikado is, theoretically an absolute Sovereign who reigns and governs; but the work of government is carried on by the Great Council, which is divided into three sections denominated Centre, Right, and Left. The Centre is composed of the Prime Minister, Vice-Prime Minister, and five advisers. The Left is made up exclusively of the Council of State, the functions of which are analogous to those of the French Conseil d'Etat, so far as the preparation and discussion of laws is concerned. The Right includes all the Ministers and Vice-Ministers of the eight departments into which the administration is divided. The Ministers, either individually or united in a Cabinet, decide all ordinary questions; but points of real importance are reserved for the Great Council, presided over by the Mikado. A Parliament was formed in 1869, with deputies selected by the provincial Governments, but it was soon dissolved,