Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-07-07
The JAPANESE.

Any Information concerning the naOitS, customs,
and institutions of this newly opened Empire is spe
cialiy interesting, and the subject accordingly
pies large space of the foreign correspondence OF
our leading journals. We CLEAN the following items
from the special correspondence OF the New York
Herald:
Astonishment at the railroad and telegraph over
came all other feelings Placed in circle, the Rail-
road worked beautifully, and only after the Amer-
can officers got in and went flying round, drawn by
the small engine, would they essay it. Infinite was
their surprise at finding themselves whrled through
the air with such velocity "The Dutch have shown
US none of these things" was their observation.
The Japanese would not believe the telegraph at
first They gave it very severe test. For instance.
placing Japanese at either extremity, they would
converse on important subjects, and not commercially
suspecting some imposition. For eXample-lt was
beautiful day and the stationed at one end d.
rected the operator to say TO the person at the other
end that it raining. The Japanese word for this
was Anglicsed and the sound reproduced by the fur
Their operator to his attendant Great was their won
der in comparing notes. to find that the telegraph had
conveyed their message correctly. Wires have been
ordered, and the intention expressed to extend this
line at once to some place remote from Jeddo 1hey
have the means of making wire and all the appara..
| tus. hey certainly have clocks for number OF
these being among the presents and one OF them be-
ing out of order, being adjusted by an engineer
on board one of the steamers-"Give yourself no
trouble signfed TO him of the Japanese Il will
send it to the cockmaker in Jeddo who will repair it."
as is mag ined nor they unacqualnted with the
duties resulting from our contguty to them. For
instance they asked if the railroad had been finished
to the Mississippi from California.
In relation to the social habits of these people, the
most favorable accounts are given. Your friend,
Capt. Buchanan gave an entertainment TO a few OF
the chief men, or to of the Chiefs requesting that
a few friends be brought. The result was that 80
or loo persons came. Room made on the spa
cious deck, and things went Oh merrily. The ex-
fract iC tho kOn To
PAN 1t is called saki by them. Hence they gave
The name of American Saki' to all the drinks. They
are fond of arden! spirits. The guests make it bu-
sness:to taste of every wine and OF every dish In
side of their long robes, kept together by belt around
the waist, they carry roll Of paper used generally
as pocket handkerchief-a small piece at time
They this roll of paper also at feasts to wrap up
small pieces of each DISH making note in regard to
it at the time This is considered very high
compliment You may imagine at an American din.
ner they would fill themselves with some not very
palatable vands. As in duty bound, on the occasion
referred to- of the guests he ped himself to wine
glass of sweet oil, which he obliged to disgorge
at once, of course He made note, as usual of the
drink. Some one was curious to know what he
had written. 1t was-"Ths is the worst wine they
have got''
They waited after they were helped, and followed
the examples of the Americans. All that has been
said of their politeness is true. 1t would be diff
hcult to find people excelling them in that respect
When we'll enlivened by the saki, they would per
NIT their swords TO be examined taking them off and
putting them one side. On one of these occasions
the quality Of the steel was tested by cutting an
American sword on it. The Japanese scimitar yield
ed, showing that what has been said of the superior
ity of their metal is not entirely true
The engine room the principal point of attrac-
ton on board of the steamers. They never ceased
to wonder at the immense display of iron, all for
and in constan application. 1t is matter OF sur
prise that the Japanese were struck with the symme
try and magnfcence of these vessels, when who
have been at for years, on first visiting O.
these maj este vessels, experience sensation of ad
miration and astonshment
They asked Commodore Perry if any more ships
were coming. Perry told them yes but if they
would promise to treat he would order vessel to &C
and detain the others. The promise being given, he
was thus enabled TO send away in the Susquehanna tc
, attend Mr.. Commissioner McLane, who goes to Can
news from Japan.
Thousands are ready to avail themselves of the op
portunity of commerce with this country, and nc
doubt we shall soon know what is most in demand
leave it to political economists to calculate wha
will be the effect ofopening market of fifty millions
of people to people who ready for trade the
Americans and English, and many other nations
We regard not this great event in that point of view
In the meantime, however, may be stated that glass
ware is in demand there, recent experience demon
strates, as well as mercury yellow amber, and va
rety of articles of small kind which traders only
can discover.