New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-12-13
VOYAGE OF THE MISSISSIPPI.


rou..pondenee Of The n. Y. Tribune
u s. y. MrssIssrPI, AT SEA, Friday, OFT 8. 1854
Here we are now sailing right in the midst OF
the Great Pacific, after having visited Japan for
third time.
The 18th of September we sailed from Hong
Kong after the Commodore had left US, on the
18th, to 20 home by the overland route. Indeed,
II seems 70 me very much out of the way to 20 to
sea for the first time without the old chief; how
ever we are ut last homeward bound, and the
idea that every mile of Roadway lessons the space
from our home and friends cheers up every one.
Our trip to Simoda, where we arrived the 23d,
passed without any incident worth mentioning,
d'there we found the Susquehanna and South
ampton. which had sailed eight days before us.
DIR. Hamilton, late from the F. Kennedy, store
ship in Rnggods Squadron, who went home in the
Susquehanna as passenger, had died at sea, and
was buried in the American Graveyard, near
Simoda, thus augmenting the number OF graves TO
three.
Commodore Rnggold on account of his health,
has also taken passage in che Susquebanna; MIR.
Stuart, head draughtsman Of the surveying expe-
diton, accompanies him. They go home by way
Of Panama. Simoda seems to be one of those
happy countries where there is almost perpetual
Spring. In April last, we found the foliage verd-
ant and beautiful, and now, in October, 1t looked
III possible still more beautiful. The second crop
of rice was about to be cut (the first having been
harvested in May or June and different kinds of
ffuits, such as apples, pears, grapes persltnmOns,
etc. etc, were ripe; the grapes, however
were brought from Silvia, and are somewhat ex-
pensive.
daily II was strange sight to see for the first
time, a japanese boat bearing the American flag,
having the pilot on board and standing out from
the barbor. The town Of Simoda looked some
what different from the time when the Commits
sioners from Jcddo with their numerous suite of
retainers, surrounded the streets; however, l
liked the present state of things better. The
people had returned to their usual manner Of liy-
ing, few soldiers were visible, and so we were no
longer subjected TO such great curiosity, before,
which, BY the way, was pretty troublesome at
times. We had already occasion to observe the
good results of Commodore Perry's forbearing
and discreet manner of acting. He has done
better than vanquishing the Japanese; he has
made them our friends; for, as such l consider
them now. We could observe there, perhaps
twice the amount of stores that before existed
and, throughout, we found a better quality of
goods exposed for sale. Two junks had arrived
from Jeddo very recently, aud among their car
goes were very fine specimens of Japanese art.
The prices, also, were somewhat lower than be-
, fore, and am confident that, if only more ships
with US, pretty lively trade will ensue. Some of
theJapsnese have already made pretty good prog
ress In the English language and most of the shop.
keepers are able to tell the prices of the articles
On English. Many Of us entered houses very fire. /
quentiy, and sat down with the people TO smoke I
or drink tea. Zee day the sound of a guitar at
tracted me, and found an olive girl. of some Il
or 10 years, that, not perceying my presence. 4
continued her play. 1t was a strange tune, wild /
and melancholy, and often abruptly in,errupted /
by harsh accords. After a while some women
that had assembled around us made the Girl aware |
Of my presence; che threw down her instrument
and began TO cry, and could not induce her IN |
play again. The guitar was made Of wood with
the exception of the upper lid. OF the three
strings, two were in the octave, the middle one |
giving the fifth. The strings were not touched by |
the fingers, but with fat piece of horn held be.
tween the thumb and third finger of the RICH. |
band, in shape not unlike tue one painters use to
clean their palettes and mix their colors.
On another occasion l heard young man |
playing flute. This instrument was of the most
primitive description, consisting only of piece OF
hollow bamboo, bored with seven finger-hoes and
the hole for the mouth The tunes were very
strange and appeared to me more like mass OF
confused sound than regular harmony.
At the beginning of the New Moon, saw in
several houses a sort of domestic worship. A !
number OF women had assembled before the |
shrine Of tie household god and, divided 10 two |
parties, were singing hymns, one party alternately 1
answering the other. Their song was accompa- |
MED by strokes apon little bell or gong with
small wooden hammer; and, AS the bells were OF
different tones the elect was by no means un-
pleasant. Thus far, however my knowledge of
Jspanese music has an end.
fSe Let Of October, at O'Clock p. VI, we left
md eyer since then We have been troubled with
Ircrg tssd wirds, heavy seas srd rsiny weather