New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-08-15

little garden attached 10 houses IN the cities
With this view, they have gradually succeeded
IN dwarfns the fig, plum ard cherry trees aud
the vine, 10 such diminu,ive stature as Eu.
ropsan would scarcely credit, and ye. these
dwarf trees are covered with green leaves and
produce blossoms Some OF The gardens re-
semble pictures IN whlch ralurc Is sAllllul5 mo.
deiled in min.aturc-bui . IS LIVING nature
Meylan, whose work ca Japan was Published a;
Amsterdam IN 1850 states that m l>16 the Dutch
agent OF commerce AZ \asasaNl Was offered "a
snrf box, one inch m thickness and ,hrec inches
high. IN which grew 4 hg tree bamboo and
plum-uee IN h'oom
Since the japanese have been prohibited &c
leave their own country. they have made no pro.
gress IN ship-bul,ding Formerly, with the help OF
foreigners. they built large sea.wOrtay vessels.
The mos, eJac, rules are la.i down Ter the car
renter who undertakes tie building Of ship
the length. breadth and outline are strictly spe
Gifted and on the least departure from the pro
portion. the builder and his family must suaer
death. The large lunks, which PLY on the open
SEA between Ninsln and Tie Grea; liea-kisn
de- not appear 10 be sub ect 10 these rules, and
for their sailing qualities are preferred 10 the
Chinese
In their architecture the japanese have iO,.
lowed no foreign model. and therein d.s,lnguIsk
themselves from the Chinese Their castles and
forsresseS only are constructed M > darable
manner neither their temples nor their dwell
ng.houses are imposing structures - stone o.
brick The Sndc ,empleS-,hose OF the Old and
original religion ct the people-Sre PLAIN wooden
buildings with cane roofs. All TN temples
whose number Is very large, stand outside OF o.,
cities IN the mldS, OF beautiful gardens. ans are
adorned. outwarily and nwardk. wi'a ~calq
ures and carving, gold sui lackerNo,, TIE
houses are built with boards and mover move
than thirty Tee, IN hight they have mostly one
habnable story, or II there Is an upper story, Il
is kept for extraordinary or distinguished guests
In the houses 81 the nobility the residence Is IN
the upper story The roofs are either 81 cane
or burnt tiles The interior partitions o the
houses are made of lattice.w0rk, covered with
painted paper, and frequently consist 81 toldmg-
screens. whereby the rooms may bc enlarged Or
diminished at pleasure.
The houses OF the nobility are generally sur.
rounded with low wall of hewn stone. Win.
IN. there are two suites OF apartments, one Of
which Is especially for women, and no masculine
visitor is admitted There Is the greatest clean.
Illness everywhere. with no lack OF ornaments or
convenienccs Of all kinds but one would seek
m VAN for chairs and tables, beds and bodsteads,
Chmneys and hearthS are quite as scarce bu.
IN the middle OF the chamber is small plaster
basin. IN which charcoal Is klndled IN cold
weather Usually, however, dish with burning
Goals Is used, IN the same manner as hrazlers IN
the south of Europe. Inside of the houses the
japanese 90 barefoo,ej. the floors being covered
with thick mats, which are the same size through.
out the whole empire, measuring slS Tee, long
and three broad. In the houses OF the wealthy
there are also carpets of hair, which some
times richly embroidered and ornamentei
Houses of this kind take IRE easily the flame,
sweep everything before them, and m short
time hundreds of buidngs are M ashes. In
order to secure their most precious articles, al
rch or important persons have a fire proof chan.
Der of masonry, secured with copper doors, Oh
the outside OF their dwellings Here all rare or
valuable things are kept. and only the nos, init
mate friends are permitted TO see the interior
Contagratlons are naturally not uncommon IN
Japan, and the devastation which they occasion
is olten terrible During the last century Jeddo
was five times ravaecd by ire. Since the Dutch
first carried on their trade with the ISLANDS, the
Dam or Palace OF The Emperor at Mako has
been four times laid IN ashes IN 1875 lG6l l7D
and 1855