The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-21

interesting nom Japan.
vALu INTO HHB oourTRy-vlsir TO HOUSES AND
TEMPLES.
From the Binghanton Republican
We have been favored by Col. Robbie with the for
lowing interesting letter from his son. written 10 his
parents, which we have no doubt win be generally
acceptable to 0urseaders:-
u. s. STEAM FRIaArE MISSISSIPPI,
on Canagawa, Yeddo Bay, :
Japan April 8, 1884,
The Japanese say that they counted i60 American
vessels passing Matsmai last year. We soon expect
70 go up there and make q careful survey OF that
haIbor, while the other vessels of the squadron will
remain at Symodey until we return. The Japanese
have agreed to take good care OF the crews OF any
American vessels which may be cast away on their
coasts, and, in fact they will extend to us all those
immunities and privileges which one civilized nation
expects from another. They seem to be as much
pea ed with the friendly result Of these negotiations
as are and all rejoice to think that they have at
lat consented to open their ports for trade with the
"Model Republic!" Tomorrow morning early,
Captain Henry A. Adams will sail with the treaty,
in the Saratoga, for the Sandwich Islands, whence
he win proceed by the shortest mail route to
Washington, and then lay the treaty before Con-
gTess for their approval. He expects to get back
here with the ratified treaty by the first of Sep
tember, and soon after his return we are to sail
for home.
There, believe, have told you all the news now
In regard to this Japan business and cannot think
Of any thing more interesting to tell You than 70
give description OF days walk ashore. Last
Saturday was bright sunny day, and at A. M.
Dandy and went ashore TO take up the railroad
track, and box up the locomotive, tender and car,
ready for sending them 10 Yedo. At IL N. We bad
everything done, (these Japanese carpenters are
quick workmenD and went into the reception house
70 get our dinners The reception house has several
different apartments; the first you enter is used
ting, and the furniture consists simply Of large
brass vase containing a charcoal fire, with brass
chopsteks to LIT out the Goals when You wish to
light your pipe; around this vase Japanese officers
Of rank may always be seen sitting their knees
squatted. should cali II, for they use no chairs
and stoically smoking. As soon as we entered they
would offer us q pipe and tobacco, without rising,
and generally We would accept their offer, and squat
down alongside them. They al Ways lay on thei
sandals, and enter their houses In their stocking
feet; but We tramp over their mats shoes and al.
The sides OF This room are ornamented with an sut
landish Landscape, on gilt ground, aad the princi
long legged white cranes.
From the smoking room we enter the principal
reception room. This, too, 10 embcllshed with
great number o. isnascaPss. similar TO those In the
are capable Of being folded up like our clothes-bar.
On each side Of the reception room wide benches,
like low table, are placed, and covered with o red
purpose being used both % lounge and az q table
TO eat from. Two sides Of the room are inclosed BY
sliding window ffamee; but instead OF glass they
use white paper for admitting the light. Over our
tain Of purple color with tassels and cord Al the
further end Of the room Japanese flag IL hnng
before the entrance Of the private reception ROOM
where the Commodore and the Princes have do
bated all 0cial business ami where the treaty WAS
signed. Thin room is furnished exactly like the
larger one, with mating on the door, benches with
red cloth over them, and GUT landscapes asoand the
noss; but s = nss' n addition. plain able for
we passed through several halls and private rooms
for the attendants Of the Princess to the cooking
rooms. Tho cooking utensils are Of very primE
tive description, consisting Of copper boiler Get
nee WITH and one kettle, IN which they boil eggs
Our dinner consisted Of rice boiled, eggs chopped
CLAIMS, fried snakes, pound cake, candy and raw
oysters. did the raw oyster and pound cake jus
tee: but couldn't eat the other things. The din
nss va sssysd Ip On hcquer ware dishes On
After dinner, Mortimer Kellogg a thirA azsiss-
ant engineer Of my State, who came out The Pow
hasan; he lives In ekaneateles, N. Y, and i .
Seymour, Bipghamton) and concluded to take Q
walk, "a we had nothing more 70 do at the house,
and 50 started down toward Canagsws. We were
By couple Of two sxodsd silk pants
perly. As we walked along down the beach we
saw great crowds 0fmen, women and children pick
ing mp CLAIMS and oysters, Ut was low tide and
making Ties for the roof. q houses g." just
beyond this We came TO temple in the midst Of .
grove, with large gate before It. Here our guards
wished us TO turn back, and even went so far - 70
catch me by the arm; but ! shook the fellow o6,
and shaking little bamboo cane in his face gave
him to understand that game wouldn't do. Find
ing We were determined to go on. they gave up the
chase and turned back, highly indignant
We now pursued our course undisturbed, visited
several Japanese villages, and took walk Of some
eight or ten miles in the country. We finally came
out in Yokahama and visited the grave Of mariner
whom we buried here some time ago. The Japanese
keep guard over his grave night and day, for what
purpose cannot tell. Near his grave Is large col
lection Of gravest0nes, with carved figures upon
them. It IL q very romantic place. We now visited
another temple, and as large crowd were now fol.
lowing rs, l considered 1t At opportunity b ad-
dress few remarks to them upon the wiekedness
OF the course they were pursuing and exhor ed them
to reform. As my remarks were received with great
applause, Kellogg mounted the rostrum and en-
deavored to persuade the deluded people to throw
away their idols and repent. They listened with
great attention and have no doubt they were con-
WINGED, 30 far ~ they understood. We then visited
several dwelling houses, BARRIERS shop, an oil
mandatory and many other places, in all Of which
we were well received, and had a capital time One
old oman got cut spinning wheel with roll Of
wool, and went to work spinning yarn. II was ex-
actly such an instrument as have often in
at home for the same purpose, making just such
buzzing sound, and the old lady was delighted to
see MS SO much inte rested in IL.
Many the women brought their little children TO
have us pat their heads, and we stopped in nearly
every house we came to and took cup of tea and
pipe with the inmates. All have one room with a
matted floor, where they keep vase of fire and
their household gods, for they are very religious.
Before one store door noticed two fire ngines.
They are worked with brakes and have jonted
pipe like ours, but they have no air vessel to pro
duce continuous stream. A crowd Of people were
conftsntly besisging MS with invitations TO write
something on their fans. l wrote notices and pro-
verbs on great number Of them, and they were
very much delighted: While Kellogg was writing
coat tail He felt il as they jerked it OF. and in
stantly taking It or held it up before their eyes in
deprecatiDg manner, and showing them where
the button ought to be, cooly walked into the store
put il in his coat pocket; then, standing upon the
steps, he made an address to the crowd on the
wickedness Of stealing. Either his address, or the