The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-20 00:00:00

THE JAPANESE MISSION.

On Sunday the Japanese Ambassadors took a
drive to Hampton Court, going by way of Twicken-
ham. As usual, they were accompanied by Mr.
Macdonald, attache of the English Legation in
Japan, and some of the officers of their suite. After
making a tour of the interior of the Palace, they
were conducted over the grounds, and thence to
Bushey-park, which they saw in all its glory of
foliage and flower. They are said to have a fine
eyo for the picturesque, especially in landscape
scenery, and to have been greatly delighted with
some of the parks of the metropolis; but at Bushey,
and more particularly on seeing the famous avenue
of trees at Hampton Court, their admiration was
excited to the highest pitch. Here, as in Paris,
they have always had a great hankering to see the
country, and they were much refreshed by the
glimpses which they were afforded of it on Sunday.
From Hampton Court they drove to Richmond,
where they halted for an hour or so to take lun-
cheon at the Star and Garter. Here again they
were captivated by the view from Richmond-hill,
and lingered over the enjoyment of it for some time.
Leaving Richmond they paid a passing visit to Earl
and Countess Russell at Pembroke-lodge, remaining
there about half an hour, and then returned to their
quarters at Claridge's Hotel, where they dined at
their usual hour of 8 o'clock. On Saturday they
drove to the Crystal Palace, which they had not
seen before, and where they spent several hours.
Thoy were received by Sir Joseph Paxton, Mr.
Farquhar, and Mr. Bewley, and by them conducted
over the building. There everything they saw was
to them so entirely novel and unique that they have
talked about little else since their visit. Their de-
light at the structure itself, as they saw it for the
first time glistening in the sunlight, knew no
bounds. With all the various courts, especially with
that of the Alhambra, they were profoundly inte-
rested, as they were charmed with the internal dis-
play of plants and flowers. From the centre bal-
cony they were afforded a sight of the grounds and
of the landscape of marvellous beauty stretching
beyond on all hands. There, too, they witnessed
a display of the upper series of fountains, for
which the day was remarkably favourable.
The grand fountains would also have been played
for the distinguished strangers but for the short
notice the authorities at the Palace had of their
visit. As it was, they were intensely pleased with
all they saw. They were afterwards present in the
concert-room while the Prussian Coronation March
was being performed by the orchestra. At its con-
clusion they took lunch in the directors' apartment,
and left the Palace about five o'clock. Earlier in
Majesyl
the day they had an interview with Earl Russell ats
the Foreign-office, and attended her morning the
Ambassadors received a visit from Captain Forbes,
Theatre in the evening. On Friday
Staff-Captain at Woolwich, Ns ho,
in compliance with
a request made by them, through Mr. Macdonald,
to the authorities at the War-office, presented them
with sketches of some of the more remarkable
sights
and processes they witneaec,l uu their recent tour of
the Arsenal. So deeply interested were they with
much that they saw there, that a few of the scientific
members of their suite intend to pay a second
visit
to the establishment. On Friday also, at half-past
three o'clock, the Envoys had an oglito-°ffi
fficial interview
, on business
nnwLiat Russell,
yha rt
ahaet
rtnhde F
Mr. o r ei
mission Hammond were also
thish
country, at
which
Ec
t oril
present. In the evening they attended
the assem-
bly of Mrs. Samuel Gurney, at Prince's-gate. On
Thursday morning Mr, Rapp, app, the Swiss Consul-
General, had an int • • interview with the Ambassadors by
appointment at Claridge's Hotel, for the purpose of
delivering to them a letter from his Government.
Later in the day Lord Stratford de Radcliffe paid
their Excellen • cies a complimentary visit, and re-
mained some time
in conversation with them, with
the aid of the interpreters of the mission.

A committee was appointed some time since to
visit the whole seaboard of the French empire, with a view
to ascertain what improvements could be introduced into
nets and other implements used by fishermen in their
calling. The labours of the committee, examined by an
upper one under the presidentship of Vice-Admiral Febvre,
have furnished the grounds of a new decree respecting the
e4)ast fisheries. This is preceded by a report, published in
the Afoniteur. Any person of whatever nation is declared
free to fish at a distance of three miles from the shore, that
distance to be calculated from low water-mark ; and even
those limits will not be enforced wherever there aro not
sufficient and serious reasons for maintaining them. Fish
ing may be prohibited now and then on some points of the
coast, in order to encourage the growth and multiplication
of a particular species.
THE LAMBING SEASON ON THE GRAMPIANS AND
OculLLs.—The lambing season about completed on all
these extensive pastoral ranges, and it is seldom that
stock it has
closed with such a strong, healthy, and splendid of
lambs. The pasturage has been excellent, and the lamb
are growing very fast.—Scotstnan.
At a recent slave sale in Texas five negroes sold
for 7,0.10 dole,

A meeting has been held to-day (since the above
was written) at the Guildhall, comprising repre-
sentatives of the sewers and the various commis-
sions, through which the Middle Level passes. The
press were not admitted, but I have just bee in
formed by one of the gentlemen who were present
that the meeting had resolved at once to apply to
n -
the Home Secretary, for the interference of Govern-
ment with the Middle Level Commissioners. The
Mayor of Lynn, L. W. Ards, Esq., has made tt
similar application to Government in his corporate
capacity. The-greatest inactivity, we are informed,
has been manifested on the works since we left this
morning, and the principal engineer, Mr. Hawke-
shaw, is said to have left for town, leaving all the
responsibility to the junior engineer, Mr. Smith.
The greatest alarm is again spreading in conse-
quence of the repeated delays which occur through
the inefficiency or disinclination of the Middle Level
Commissioners, or their agents. It is said that Mr,
E. Fellowes, M.P., the chairman of the Middle
Level Commissioners, has
given Mr. Hawiceshaw
full authority to use all the means which human
foresight can suggest.