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of their once dearly-cherished swords as actually to ridicule, in the public press, the few who still adhere to the old custom. Honesty of purpose and firmness in action,—straight-forward dealing and steadfast endeavour, will do far more to help on this country to her proper place among the nations of the world, than could ever have been achieved by means of her formerly much-prized possession, the “girded sword of Great Japan.”