The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-07-06
Extent ard Products Of Japan.

Extent and Products Of Japan.
The general opinion is that there are
between thirty and forty millions OF inhab-
ltantS III Japan, and the truth appears to
be between these two figures. Japan bears
somewhat the same relation to the rest Of
ASA as Great Britain does to the European
continent.
II Is nearly IN the same latitude, and
enjoys mutablltv of climate, which rem
ders /; exceedingly healthy, and It's people
hardy and industrious. There are three
principal islands, Nophon, kluon, and
Setk"kI, whose area exceeds that of the
British islands by nearly 10000 square
miles, The capital, Yado, contains, ac-
cording to some calculations, from mil
hon to a million and half of inhabitants;
by the natives 1t is said to contain ten
millions. Captain Goowin expressed his
doubt to the governor when this statement
was made TO him, accordingly plan OF
the city was displayed, showing it TO con-
tam ten millions OF houses. Mraco, Sa-
kay, Osaka, WagSaLa, aud Nangasal,i. also
rank with the imperial city. ! he first Of
these is supposed to have population ex-
ceeding five hunlred thousand the last,
upwards Of Sc, ntv thousand, The other
| cities and towns are SAID to he very popu-
lous, as well as the countless villages.
No coui'trv in the world is more album
dant in gold than Japan. !, Is true that;
in the early stages, exaggerated accounts
were given OF the plenty OF the precious
metals in the mines Of Japan. The palace
OF the king was represented by Marco
Polo as ro"Ied with fine plates Of gold. and
its ceilings formed of the same cost lv ma
'erials; but though We are not ready to
| believe a story which Received credit and
created Management in the fifteenth centu-
ry, yet we cannot refuse TO receive the
idea thus suggested, and give credence TO
the corrOborated statements OF more recent
writers. Besides, the discovery OF gold in
California, proves that there are regions
where this metal is as abundant as the less
esteemed minerals of our own country
But that which gives the gold Of Japan
It's greatest value is It's extreme iineness, II
being considered the finest ever discovered.
1t is obtained either as ore, or washed from
the sands. Small quantities are also found
mixed up with the copper ore. The man
agement of the mines is in the hands OF
the emperor, to whom every regulation is
submitted, and who claims two-thirds OF
the profits arising from them. 1t is said,
however, that the lord of the province,
where the mines are, contrlves to make
his share equivalent to that Of his imperial
master.
Silver is also found in great abundance
in some of the islands contiguous to, and
dependent on, Japan. Gniisma, or the
silver island, where the greatest quantities
are procured, was once the object of
Spanish, expedition, sent there by COM
mand of the king, who had been attracted
by its faGclul appeIlation. Its real posi-
ton was, however, so well concealed that
those avaricious navIgators sailed home
without having accomplished the design
OF their voyage, nor Were any attempts
afterwards made to discover its locality.
Another important, and, in fact, the
chief article Of commerce between the
japanese and Dutch, is copper. This
metal is plentiful in many parts Of the is
land, and like the gold, is The fines, in the
world. So abundant Is it that Kempler
declares that no country he knew Of con-
tanned greater wealth OF this metal than
is to be found IN the mirss OF the Japanese
empire, and that il extensively worked,
would yield pr,nc"ly annual revenue to
the government. The copper is of SO fine
quality that the English artisans use it
IN some parts OF the watch where the me-
chanlsm IS required to be exqusitely fine,
and asserts that no other will answer the
same purpose.
The japanese have also several mines
of non, but, strange TO say, this mineral
Is much neglected., and most OF their arli
Giles OF general use are made OF copper or
brass.
Another very important production Of
Japan is tea The soil and climate of
these islands are admirably adapted to the
growth of this shrub; and though it is the
common beverage OF the country, they
spare no space Tor 1t than the edges OF the
corn and rice fl IDS, and soIn,tilnes tarren