The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-28
TIL + r EP u BLIC.


90 Commercial Mission to JAPAN from which we
make the following extracts:
An American writer, by no i'll Informed,
calculates the population Of Japan at forty millions
which, taking the whole circumstances of the
islands into consideration, does not seem to
exaggerated estimate. The country has been en-
gagged in no for more than two centuries. The
people remarkably prolific while their indus
try is still greater perhaps than that of the Chinese
Ships sailing along the coast are struck by the pro-
digous labor expended in cultivation, the sides Of
the mountains being laid out in ranges OF terraces,
rising one above another to their very summit
The casual observer finds il difficult 10 understand
whence is obtained the water necessary to clothe
with vegetation these hanging gardens. But when
it is considered that Japan consists OF cluster of
islands, in a somewhat northern latitude,
rounded by the moist atmosphere of the ocean, Wis
tied perpetually by clouds, which descend at fire.
quent intervals in torrents Of rain shall be able
to render easy credit to the statements of those
travellers who describe the highlands Of Japan as
abounding with springs and water brooks.
In the interior the culture of the SOIL might be
expected carried with still greater assiduity
and though an improved system OF agriculture
would enable them to reap more abundant har-
vests. they cannot, at all events, be accused Of
being wanting in energy, though their oppressive
and ignorant government interferes materially
with the result. To make up as far as possible for
the want of foreign commerce, brisk internal
and coasting trade is perpetually carried on,
though ii would be very much greater and more
lucrative were not the natives prevented by an alb
surd navigation law from making improvements
in ship building. Like the Egyptians in sculp-
ture, the Japanese shipwrights are compelled to
work after an invariabe pattern, but when men
cannot advance they are sure to retrograde, there
Seems every reason for believing that the Japanese
boats and junks of the present day are inferior to
those OF former ages.
In one respect they may, perhaps, be allowed to
surpass Europeans-we mean i'll the assiduity with
which they apply themselves to fishing. An old
Greek philosopher was accustomed to say, that the
sea, in his opinion, would supply food for the land,
if men would but avail themselves of the gifts OF
Posedon. That philosopher was probably right,
and the Japanese, consciously unconsciously,
are his disciples, since they may be said to derive
from the seas along their coast very large pro-
portion of their subsistence.
We have already alluded TO the gold mines OF
Japan, which, if properly worked, would make il
another California on vast scale. At present the
unwise laws of the country almost entirely prevent
the opening up of this source OF wealth In all such
mines two thirds OF the produce are claimed for the
emperor, though, as has been very natreiy
marked, the one-hird of the private proprietors
generally very greatly exceeds the emperor's two
thirds But when capital and industry have
butin fraud, they can display great energy
Besides, the fear sometimes sezes on the court that
the springs Of gold will speedily dry in Japan,
which, according to their ideas of political econo-
my, would altogether impoverish the country and
ruin the state They imagine that gold, though
hidden in the earth, exercises some magic influence
the destinies Of nation, and that they never
be considered poor while il il possible for them
the wealth Of the gold mines may be, cannot be
certaned at present but there seems 10 be no
son 10 doubt that, should we succeed in opening up
n trade with the islands, the people for some time
to como would pay very largely Tor our manufac-
lures in specie.
Superior, even in importance TO the gold, is the
copper OF Japan, the supply Of which appears to he
altogether inexhaustible In quality II Is confessed
ly the finest III the world and the Dutch careful
to take large portion Of il in payment for their
goods. Some years ago considerable opposition
was made 10 the attempt at opening the Japanese
trade from the owners Of mines in Cornwall; but q
| more intimate acquaintance with the doctrines n
political economy would now seem TO have silenced
that clamor.
Silver and iron are likewise produced in abund-
ancc in several islands of the group, but of all its
mineral substances none can be compared for inn
portance with coal-if coal be indeed a mineral.
The coal mines Of Borneo have already conferred a
double value ON that part Of the Archipelago, and
IT, beyond ts utmost limits towards the northeast,
We could command an inc exhaustible supply of this
material it would greatly facilitate the develop
ment of the riches OF that part OF the globe. IL
must be confessed, however, that our information
respecting the japanese coal u hitherto extremely
imperfect, though there appears TO be no reason Al
all for doubling that whatever may be its quality
! IL exists in great abundance in the country. -
The silk of Japan has long been celebrated
throughout the world, though often produced un.
der circumstances the most discouraging The
/ little now exported finds its way chiefly 10 Java
where il is worn by the native chiefs and the veal
/ thy Dutch OFFICIALS OCCaslOndlly some lew pieces
are brought to Holland, where they are regarded
| rather as curiosites than merchandise. Sup
posing the trade opened, the silk dressing gowns
Of Japan would, no doubt, become considerable ar
ticlc Of export. They may, perhaps, be regarded a
tho most extraordinary article Of dress in the world
/ being from inch to an inch and half thick
which suggests the idea of an immense weight
though in reality they feel when worn as light as
gossamer. The thickness is produced by wadding
composed Of some substance 30 fine and delicat
that like the "woven wind" Of the ancients, il
separate hbrcs almost invisible.
We must not, in this slight sketch OF Japanes,
exports omit the tea, the costlier kinds Of whicl
are, on all hands, admitted 10 be more richly fla
vored than those Of China Very few specimen
have for the last two hundred years appeared in tn
English market and these at the India house sales
have brought from fifty TO sixty shillngs pound
In all likelihood. however, they not by an,
means the finest specimens, since what are called
in the Island, imperial teas, are consumed almos
exclusively by the princes and mobiles. Strang
stories are related Of the means Of producing thi
courtly beverage, and there is probably in all 0
them no small admixture Of the fabulous; still a
they are characteristics OF Japanese manners an
ideas, our readers may not dislike TO be presentc
with a sample.
The tea shrubs intended for the use Of the impc
rial court grown on mountain near Meacc
that s, in the district supposed to be the most favor
able in the world TO the production Of this article
This mountain is fenced round from vulgar intru
sion by ditch and thick hedge, and none bat thos
employed in the cultivation of the tea permit
ted To- enter The shrube are aid out 30 as 20 fOrr
avenues, which are daily swept, and kept scrupu
lously clean.
SO far, the precautions taken ineligible. bu
in much Of what follows the reader will detect tn
influence OF an oriental and imperial imagination
The young leaves, which begin Ia put forth abou
the fret of March, which commences the Jspanes
year, are gathered when only few days old, tha
is, in their most tender and delicate state. Th
persons employed in collecting them are subjected
under the most rigid inspection, to curious rcgi
men and discipline. During the operation the
must not eat fish or any other article Of food like
TO affect their breath. They next compelled I
bsthe twice thrice a day, and after all, are nc
permitted TO touch the leaves with their hands
they therefore work in gloves; and the dehcat
green treasure, when collected, is deposited in cor
nets Of white paper, till subjected 20 the drying pro
cess, analogous TO that employed in China. Int
an account Of this, IL would be beside prcscu
purpose to enter; bat may mention that tber
are three gatherings the tea the first, wbic
takes place, we have said, carly in March; th
second at the end Of the same month, or in the bs
ginning OF April; and the third in the beginning
May, when tho leaves two months old. Thi
last gathering produces the coarscst kind Of tea ar
propriatcd to the use of the humber classes.
The cultivation Of this delicate shrub is conduct
: cd among the japanese upon principles somewhs
} different from those that regulate ts growth !