The Nevada journal., 1853-11-04

mirror, and hot water may be poured in
to them without occasioning the leas
smell.
The chief domestic animals are horse
and oxen for draught cats and dogs ar
kept for the same uses as with us an
swine furnish food for the few sects VIII
eat flesh. Sheep and goats seem to b
quite unknown the Russian captives ha,
to make drawings of the former, to conye,
some idea of the origin of wool.
There are considerable mines of geld ant
silver in several parts of the Empire, bu
the Government does not permit them t,
be all worked, for fear of depreciating tn,
value of these metals. They supply, witt
copper, the material of the currency, ant
are also literally used in the decoration o
public buildings, and in the domestic uten
sils of the wealthy. There is sufficienc,
of quicksilver, lead, and tin, for the wants
of the country; and one island is entirel,
covered with sulphur. Copper is very
abundant, and of remarkably fine quality
All kitchen utensils, tobacco.pipes, and fire
shovels, are made of it; and so well made
that odr author mentions his tea-kettla as
having stood on the fire, like all other
japanese kettles, day and night for months
without burning into holes. This metal is
likewise employed for sheathing ships, and
covering the joists and fat-roofs of houses.
Iron is less abundant, and much that is
used is obtained from the Dutch. Nails
alone, of which immense numbers are used
IN all carpentery work, consume large
quantity. Diamonds, comedians, iaspers
some very fine agates, and other precious
stones, are found but the natives do not
understand polishing them. Pearls are
abundant; but not being considered orna-
mental, they are reserved for the Chinese
market.
Steel and proclaim are the manufactures
in which the Japanese chiefly excel, besides
those in silk stufs and lacquered-ware,
already mentioned. Their porcelain is fal
superior to the Chinese, but it is scarce and
dear. With respect to steel manufactures,
the sabres and daggers OF Japan yield only
perhaps to those of Damascus and Go
lownin says their cabinet-makers tools
might almost be compared with the Eng
lish. In painting, engraving, and printing,
they are far behind and they seem TO have
no knowledge of ship building or navi-
cation beyond what sufflces for coasting
voyages, though they have intelligent and
enterprising sailors, There is an immense
internal traffic, for facilitating which there
are good roads and bridges where water
carriage impracticaile. These distant
Orientals have likewise bills of exchange
and commercial gazettes. The Emperor
enjoys monopoly of the foreign com-
mercs.
1t is popularly said, that Japan has two
Emperors-one spiritual, and the other
temporal. The former, however, having
no share in the administration of tAs sm-
pire, and seldom even hearing of state
affairs, is no sovereign according to the
idea we attach to that term. He seems
to stand much in the same relation to the
Emperor that the Popes once did to the
sovereigns Of Europe. He governs Kioto
as small independent state; receives the
Emperor to an interview once in seven
years; isconsulted by him on extraordinary
occasions receives occasional embassies
and presents from him, and bestows his
blessings in return. His dignity, unlike
that Of the Roman pontiffs, is hereditary,
and he is allowed twelve wives, that his
race may not become extinct, According
to Japanese records, the present dynasty
including about one hundred and thirty
Kin-reys, has been maintained in direct
line for above twenty-four centuries. The
person of the Kin,rey is so sacred, that nc
ordinary mortal may see any part Of him
but his feet, and that only once a year
every vessel which he uses must be broken
Immediately; for if another should even
by accident eat or drink out OF it.
be put to death. Every gar
he wears must be manufact,
hands from the earliest pr
paration of silk.
The adherents of Il
ese religion, of Whicl
adore numerous di
immortal spirits
ers, flowers, al
tial gifts. r.
salntS-mo,
and build
laws COP
ial pur
feature