The weekly Placer herald., 1853-12-10


supposed pollution contracted by foreign
intercourse.
The language of the Japanese, as be-
fore observed, hears some, but not close
affinity to the Chinese tongue. 1t is said
to he of very compound character,
formed of various dialects intermixed
with that language. 1t is this fact which
strengthens, IA well as originates the sup
position that the present inhabitants were
not the first people possessing the islands
now forming the japanese empire. In
| their mode of writing, however, they
closely resemble the Chinese, and to
great extent in the principles and charac-
ter of their architecture, only their build
ings, public and private, are much more
substantial and commodi0us than among
the Celestials. In one of the Jesuit
works | have read the most fabulous ac-
counts of the gorgeous embellishments in
solid gold and silver with which the royal
palace and the residences of the leading
mobiles are decorated. According to this
authority, the profuse grandeur of the
Arabian Nights Tales is completely
thrown in the shade.
The climate of these Islands is consid.
cred healthy and pleasant. The extreme
heat, the heavy, humid atmosphere of
Asia are not experienced here, neither is
the difference between the seasons of sum
mer and winter so great rs in many parts
Of the main land. The islands of Japan
are exceedingly fertile, well watered,
magnificently timbered, and in high
state of both useful and ornamental cult
vaton. Skilled as the natives arc in
agriculture, they require to use but very
little cultivation TO produce the fairest
gifts of nature in the greatest abundance,
or in the highest perfection. The indig
enons vegetation, indeed, Of these islands,
leaves no actual necessity unprovided- -
no craving appetite for acquired luxurieS
unSated. The natural and artificial wants
Of man are supplied with a bonnteouS
baud. Cattle, horses, game, and fish of
rare quality abound in abundance. In.
deed, according to some accounts, these
islands in their natural state seem to be,
what our fancies might conceive was, the
trarscendnnt glory of Eden before mans
fall. OF so much, however, we are as,
sured, that for fertility, scenery, and salu-
brity, they will vie with the farest por-
tons Of the glole.
OF the mineral resources of Japan we
have no authentic or extensive nforlna'
ton. We have, however, information of
the existence of rich mines both of gold
and silver. The enormous amount of
gold and silver bullion at all times in the
possession of the government, the mobiles
and the merchants confirms this statement
Where could people, who never visit
foreign nations, or admit of foreign com
merce, obtain such vast amounts of the
precious metals az the japanese are
known to possess, were they not natural
product of their own country? Iron,
copper, coal, marble, granite, aud free
stone also abound on the islands. How
many reasons are supplied us, even by
the little we really know Of this long
sealed region, for wishing that success
full issue nay crown the lauduble exert,ons
of our government to establish com
merciaI treaty with its people. Should
we be successful, the advantage to us and
to them will be incalcuable-to us, by
the prodigious wealth of these people
flowing into our market which will make
us comparatively Independent of the fatal
influence Of British capital now forestal-
ling u in almost every great enterprise
to them, by sound Christianity and en-
lightened policy, fertllizng the heart of
the national character, and raising them
TO that exalted condition in the scale of
nations for which nature seems to have
fitted them. And when we shall have
fulfilled our destiny--when by sound chris
tanitv on one hand and commerce on the
other we shall have raised man in all re-
gions 10 his natural dignity, and a uni
verse replete with intelligence, refine
mon, and liberty. shall kneel ut our feet