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JAPAN BY THE JAPANESE

manifest the customs and manners bequeathed to you by your ancestors.

These instructions, bequeathed to Us by Our Imperial ancestors to indicate a course of conduct which We and Our subjects are bound to pursue, have been of unfailing validity in all ages past, as in the present, and in all countries whatever. Consequently, We trust that neither We nor Our subjects shall at any time fail to observe faithfully these sacred principles.

Imperial Address on the Promulgation of the Constitution (February 11, 1889).

Whereas We make it the joy and glory of Our heart to behold the prosperity of Our country and the welfare of Our subjects, We do hereby, by the virtue of the supreme power We inherit from Our Imperial ancestors, promulgate the present immutable fundamental law, for the sake of Our present subjects and their descendants.

The Imperial Founder of Our House, and Our other Imperial ancestors, by the help and support of the forefathers of Our subjects, laid the foundation of Our Imperial Empire on a foundation which is to last for ever. That this brilliant achievement embellishes the annals of Our country is due to the glorious virtues of Our sacred Imperial ancestors, and to the loyalty and bravery of Our subjects, their love of their country, and their public spirit. Considering that Our subjects are the descendants of the loyal and good subjects of Our Imperial ancestors, We doubt not but that Our subjects will be guided by Our views, and will sympathize with all Our endeavours, and that, harmoniously co-operating together, they will share with Us Our hope of making manifest the glory of Our country at home and abroad, and of securing for ever the stability of the work bequeathed to Us by Our Imperial ancestors.

Imperial Proclamation on the Constitution of the Empire (February 11, 1889).

Having by virtue of the glories of Our ancestors ascended the Throne of a lineal succession unbroken for ages eternal, desiring to promote the welfare of, and to give development to, the moral and intellectual faculties of Our beloved subjects, the very same that have been favoured with the benevolent care and affectionate vigilance of Our ancestors; hoping to maintain the prosperity of the State, in concert with Our people and with their support, We hereby promulgate, in pursuance of Our Imperial rescript of the 14th day of the 10th month of the 14th year of Meiji, a fundamental law of State to exhibit the

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