Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-06-13
Manufactures of Japan.
Dublin Correspondence of the London Daily Ne,cs,
MN 10.

NnauuIaCIuISS "a Japan.
Dublin Correspondence of the London Daily Ne,cs,
May19.
The unique collection of manufactures; works
of art, and curiosities from Japan contributed to
the Dublinexllibitionb by the King of Holland, de.
mands notice. independently of its intrinsic mer-
its, from the circumstance that it is the first time
similar productions have been seen in Europe be-
You'd the walls of the Museum at Hague; and on
early notice Is well deserved, also, because with
Dutch punctuality and business like management,
this collection ready for inspection al the
opening of the exhibition, when all around was
confusion and packing cases.
That branch of manufacture which, from the
place of its origin, has in this country obtained
the name of tJapanning,' Is not SO largely repre-
Scented might have been anticipated, but the
comparatively few specimens are sufficient 10
show that the Birmingham manufacturers have
not yet attained so high a degree of Finish in the
art as the Japanese. II is MT that the polish o.
the varniSh is brighter; but there perfect even
ness OF surface OF ground and polished glass,
without any of the Irregularities so generally OBJ
served i'll English goods of similar kind. 1t would
appear that the varnish OF the Japanese must be
OF superior quality to that oil the English; for,
judging from set of tea-cups made of papier
mnche, that material is accustomed TO be used III
contact with hot water, without much injury 10
the surface, and without lmpartlng dlsagreeable
taste to the beverage. There is Il specimen also of
a bowl for holding liquids, made OF straw Japan
ned, which feels lighter than PAPER mache and
equally strong. 1t IS evident, indeed, even from
the small variety of specimens of this branch of
manufacture in the collection, that the japanese
apply the process of Japanming to many other
than are accustomed TO. Among the
warlike accoutremen $, for instance, there is
highly-finished Japanned shield, entirely black,
without ornament which projects in the centre, i'll
the approved form of ancient shells. Whether
ball would glance from the curvature may be very
Questionable, but it is al all events well adapted
10 ward off any missile projected by hand.
The specimens of silks and YeivelS very clearly
show thlt the Japanese makers of such fabrics can
rival the European manufactured in the quality of
the article, however rude may he the machinery
they employ for the purpose. Some sllken cords
of various degrees oftickneSS will also bear CON-
parison with any that be produced by the im-
proved machinery o. England. The wax camdl.s
of which there are several specimens, deserve no.
ce, from the peculiarly OF their shape, and The
mode of manufacture. They are made OF the hard
est wax, and evidently formed by the process
of successive dipping, like the wax candles in
this country, the unevenneSs oil the surface being
IN like manner subsequently removed by mechan-
ical means. The popularity in their shape con-
siStS their being conlcal instead oil cylindrical,
the broarler end being placed upperlnoSt. To give
additional finish TO the exterior, the candles are
painted.
The accoutrements of war do not present very
formidable appearance; nor is figure off war
Iior armed cap apple, with visor over the lower
part of his face resembling demon acal mask,
CdlculaLeu excite lHuCn III any OUT lille
children. The fire arms are long and heavy, and
not adapted To be fired from the shoulder; the
swords are short, with daggers attached, and they
are enclosed in clumsy, cylindrical sheathS. The
of mail with which the model warrior is
clad is composed of woven fabric sufficiently
thick to resist arrow the thrust of a spear.
There is nothing in this display OF weapons and
armOr to deter the Americans from making their
inruad into Japan; and The only seemingly rational
cause for making it a death penalty to take any
arms from the island must be 10 prevent exposure
ofthe defenceleSS condition of the people. The
martial music consists of drums of various kinds,
and with them are placed several luteS aud guitars
curiously shaped, but there are no wind lnstru-
ments.
The articlesof luxury do not exhibit so much
refinement and finished workmanship as those OF
the Chinese. There are several cabinets but not
ond of them Is eaborately decorated; the fans are
common, aud the articles of lady's toilet, though
they indicate the graet variety of things requisite
nthe dressing OF japanese belle, are rather
coarsely manufactured. One cabinet is expressly
adapted for smokers. There is cenSe al the top
10 hold fire for lightning the pipe, with drawers
underneath TO hold the pipes AID tobacco. The
japanese temeur is very choice i'll his tobacco, and
remarkably delicate i'll its use; for the specimens
of pipes exhibited-one gold, the other silver
will not hold half of small thinb!e full of the
plant. paraSol is perhaps more an article ofne-
cesssty than luxury in Japan, and the specimens
oil them are certainly not externally ornamental,
though they deserve notice from the materials from
which they constructed.
The part that is silk i'll our parasols is made OF
paper creased into many folds, the ribs of thin spill
ced bamboo, and they open and close with great
ease. The outer covering is of dark color for re
polling heat; but these paper parasols must
theieSS ioIm much better shades than SenlilranSu-
cent silk.
collection of Japanese coins, from the largest
gold 10 the smallest silver, forms au interesting
pat of the collection. The gold coin are oblong,
with rounded corners, and the value of the largest
is about ESQ., The smaller of the silver coins are
ODlNnp vii rOArS Nt4Nt IN he oinr
are placed specimens of Japanese printing types.
ing Cylindrical, with the letter at one end, and they
must consequently be used separately, and not Sc,
upin 'form,' like our printing types.
Those who are not experienced naturalSts may
be somewhat Startled atIhe stuffed monsters from
Japan. What the unexp' ored parts OF The island
may not contain 1t would be presumptuouS &c
ttate; but IT requires considerable stretch of Gre
dullty to believe, in the existence of lying mon
keys, aud of SerpentS with monkeys heads; yet
such objects presented with indubitablc SKIN
HAIR, and bones, and it is difficult 10 defect where
the skin OF one animal has been joined 10 that OF
another. To artists so skilled in The manufacture
OF monsters the creation of mermaid would pre-
sent little difficulty; and, though there is not the
bodily presentnent of one, there is pictorial re-
presentation, which, instead of realizing the poet
zeal idea Of such being, seems to be literal copy
oil mermaid, manufactured, by the Junction oil
the body of ape to the tail OF fish. There are
several other specimens which indicate q preva.
lent taste for monstrousities.
The Memphis Convention--Third Day.
MENpuis. lime S-'phe commi+t..a 10 f1a,,t Va