The Nevada journal., 1853-11-04
Opening of the Ports Of Japan.
rHE PEOPLE AND THEIR Country.

ticlpated opening OF the ports OF that al
most unknown country to the commerce o
the world, it may not prove uninterestine
to our readers to lay before them portion
of an article upon that extraordinary coun
try published a short time ago in Cham
bers' Edinburgh Journal, compiled from
the memoirs of Capt. Golownin,a Russian
Naval officer, who was kept in conflne,
ment in Japan in the year 1911. Omit
ting the personal narrative, which is toe
long for our columns, it is only necessary
to state that the Captain was kept in close
confinement, but with good treatment; and
young man named Teske was sent tc
him to learn the Russian language, so a.
to be enabled to act as an interpreter
From this point we shall commence our
extract from Chambers
Golovnin, on his part, endeavored to
elicit all the information he could gain
with respect to the numbers, resources,
Government, and religion of this singular
people He found it impossible to ascer-
tain the amount of the population; indeed,
it seems it would be very difficult for the
Government itself to obtain census, for
millions of the poor live abroad in the
streets, fields or woods, having no spot
which they can call home. Teske show
ed map of the Empire, having every town
and village marked on it and though on
a very large scale, it was thickiy covered.
He pointed cut on it desert, which is
considered immense, because litters take a
whole day TO traverse it, and meet with
only one village during the journey. 1t is
perhaps fifteen miles across. The city of
Yedo was usually set down by Europeans
as containing 100000 inhabitants but
Golownin was informed that it had in its
principal streets 280, 900 houses, each con-
tanning from 80 to 40 persons, besides all
the small houses and huts. This would
give in the whole population Of above
| 100000 souls-about fourth part of
the estimated population of this country !!
The incorporated society of the blind alone
is affirmed to include $4,000.
The country, though lying under the
same ATTITUDES as Spain and Italy, is yet
very different from them in climate. At
Matsmai, for instance, which is on the
same parallel as Leghorn, snow falls as
abundantly as at St. Petersburg, and lies
in the valleys from November till April
Severe frost IS uncommon, but cold fogs are
exceedingly prevalent. The climate, how
ever, is uncommonly diversified, and con-
sequently so are the productions, exhibit
ing in some places the vegetation of the
frigid zone, and in others that of the
tropics.
Rice is the staple production Of the soil.
1t is nearly the only article used iastead
of bread, and the only one from which
strong liquor is distilled, while its s!raws
serve for many domestic purposes. Be-
sides radishes, there is an extensive culti-
vation Of various other esculent roots and
vegetables. There is no coast without
fisheries, and there is no marine animal
that is not used for food, save those which
are absolutely poisonous. But an uncom-
monty small quantity suffices for each in
diyidual. If a japanese has handful Of
rice and a single mouthful of fish, he
makes a savory dish with roots, herds, or
mollusca, and it suffices for days sup.
port.
Japan produces both black and green
tea the former is very inferior, and used
only for quenching thirst whereas the
latter is esteemed luxury, and is presen-
ted to company. The best grows in the
principality of Kioto, where it is carefully
cultivated for the use both of the temporal
and spiritual courts. Tobacco, which was
first introduced by the European mission
aries, has spread astonishingly and is so
well manufactured that our author smoked
! - Nth -.l;.k, h. al rayar falt foro II.
vana cigar. The Japanese smokes con-
tinually, and sips tea with his pipe even
rising for it during the night.
All articles of clothing are made of silk
or cotton. The former appears to be very
abundant, as rich dresses of it are worn
even by the common soldiers on festive
days and it may be seen on people of all
ranks, even In poor towns. The fabrics
are at least equal TO those of China. The
cotton of Japan seems to be of the same
kind as that OF The West Indian colonies.
1t furnishes the ordinary dress of the great
mass of the people, and also serves all the
other purposes, for which we employ woods,
fax, furs, and feathers. The culture Of
it is, of course, very extensive but the
fabrics are all Coarse. Golewnin could
hardly make himself believe that his mus
lin cravat was of this material. There il
some hemp, (Which is manufactured for sal
etc. but cables and ropes, very inferior
ours, are made from the bark of a tree
led kadyz. This bark likewise sup,
materials for thread, lamp-wicks, VIZ
paper, and the coarse paper used for
et-handkerchiefs.
There is no lack Of fruit-trees, the
lemon, peach, plum, fig, chestnut,
| pie +; but the vine yields only as
grape, perhaps for want of Gu,
Der trees grow enly in the n
districts, which are unfit for
CaEphor is produced abun
south, and large Quantities
ted by the Dutch and Chin
brsted varnish of Japan,
called silz, is so plentiful