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ME. BAI TALKS POLITICS. 89
"I have long believed that, my son."
" Well, second, in our dual system, which is the
good sauce and which is the make-weight, the worthless
stone?"
" " Ha, ha, ha !
laughed Mr. Rai.
" Why, my boy,
you are a political philosopher. I must not answer
that question, but time will show, and you or Asahi
will see, though I
may not. Be very careful how
you discuss this subject with the lads at school."
" Certainly, my honored father ; you have always
taught me that every one should love the Mikado
and fear the Sho-gun, look with honor to Kyoto and
tremble before Yedo."
" Yes, that is right and ; besides, we have many
things to be grateful for to the great Tokugawa family
in Yedo that for two hundred and fifty years has
kept the country in perfect peace. Nearly
all the
art, learning, and wealth have come to us in their
time. Many illustrious men have filled the office
of sho-gun, or general, both at Yedo and at Kainakurea;
and before them the great military families
of the Gen and Hdi subdued the northern savages
and made the civilization of the whole empire possible.
The Tokugawas who now rule us are the descendants
of the Genji. Above all others, give
honor to the Mikado, but never forget his faithful
servants."
"
Was ever our land of Echizen wild and uncivilized?"
" Yes ;
but of the three Echi Echizen, Etchiu,
and Echigo, which lie along the west coast of our