The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-23 00:00:00

JAPAN.

The Abet'lle of St. Petersburg publishes the fol-
lowing letter from the Russian Consul at Hakoda-
de, in Japan :—" In order to induce the Japanese to
enter into friendly communication with us, I got up
parties at my own house. My success was com-
plete, the Japanese readily accepting my invita-
tions. On Christmas-eve, in particular, I invited a
large party, and I had rejoicings in the Russian
style. In my drawing room was placed a Christ-
mas-tree, decked out with various objects and
sweetmeats, destined to be offired as presents; the
room itself was splendidly decorated, and the Japa-
nese and Russian flags )were intermingled. The
inhabitants of the• town, high and low, male and
female, and even some Government functionaries,
were present. The Governor sent a present for the
tree, and charged an artist to make a painting both
of the room and company. Our ladies distributed
bonbons and sweetmeats to the children, and litho-
graphs to thciy, parents. The Japanese seemed
much pleased, -and they greatly admired the Rus-
sian costume, which the ladies put on for the occa-
sion. On a subsequent day I gave a masked ball,
and the dances, which were led by our naval
officers, so much interested the Japanese that they
took special note of them. The young Japanese
who. are pupils 'of the Military School appear
very intelligent, and, a fact which will perhaps
occasion surprise; the Russian and English
languages form part c: the programme of their
studies. The Governor of the town has paid me a
visit, and he says that he never did so mach
honour to the American Consul. I told him
that I considered his visit as an act of polite-
ness, and that I would return it. He stopped with
me four hours, and breakfasted, as did also fifteen
of his functionaries who accompanied him. Among
the things which particularly attracted their atten-
tion in my house were naps of the Amoor, and of
the eastern parts of Siberia, The holidays of the

Japanese new year last a fortnight. On that occa-
sion the doors of houses are ornamented with dra-
peries, paper of different colours, and various ob-
jects, snch as lemons, crabs, arrows, &e., employed
as talismans against bad spirits and maladies. At
the beginning of the holidays, the Japanese visit
their friends and acquaintances, and eat and drink
in each house. To compliment the people, I pre-
sented thdgovernor with a gigantic pie, surmounted
by a Japanese flag. It had great success, and
in fact part of it was sent to Jeddo. The rejoicings
on the occasion of the new year conclude early in
the evening, the Japanese retiring soon to rest to
enjoy the agreeable dreams which they believe all
those who have conducted themselves well during
the preceding year are destined to have. Indul-
gence is even shown at this epoch to prisoners : they
are relieved from their chains, permitted to shave
themselves, and to dress themselves neatly. The
Government functionaries paid us frequent visits,
and 'asked us for specimens of articles in which
trade can be carried on. They presented us with
some sea biscuit, which is very good but exorbi-
tantly dear. I am now engaged in making the
model of a windmill. They have no such mills,
and yet they would be'Very useful in the country."