The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-10-24

Il Il
ants, approach the high altar, bow and courte
sy to the Archbishop and clergy, and take the
seats prepared for them. Amagni6cent band,
concealed by the high altar, peals forth a fine
mass of Mozart. The host is raised; thousands
of kneeling figures bow reverently and the mel
low tones of u fine tenor fill the old church with
delicious notes. left before the conclusion OF
the mass, that might see the departure OF the
cortege. The troops had cleared the Piazza
and eight gilded carriages, six horses each, with
troops of bewigged and bepowdered footmen,
were drawn up before the door. The Austrian
band was playing-wha2 Not the national
air of Italys No; the national hymn of Aus
tra. We often sing it most devontly la our
churches in the United States, little dreaming
that we are singing, "God save the Emperor
of Austria" Thought of Luther and the early
reformers. Whatcourage those men must have
had. When we see Rome in her pomp anu
glory now, what must she have been when
kings trembed before hera
Iwish could give you some idea OF an ltai-
ian apartusent, which means neither more nor
less than ones castle. l am occupying first
floor; on my right is an apartment occupied oy
lady who is preparing for the opera; on my
left lives basso- ditto. The lady gives me
the scales, exercises, and the music of Verdi
five hours day. The basso gives about the
same, and is great in the Bigotetto. Opposite
lives young girl who aspres to be fine anna
teur singer-and, for four hours day, she gives
me miscellaneous collection of English, Ger
man and Italian melodies. Above me is Ia.
dy who gives seven hours day to the piano =
whilst. within my own domicile is teeting
baby, and two children who practice theIr
hours. 1t is wonderful how one learns from
habit to be deaf.
BUILDINGS, TEMPLES, AND RELIGION OF ia
pAs.-A correspondent Of the N. York Jour.
nal of Commerce, writing from Commodore
Perry's squadron, remarks as follows in rela-
ton to the religion, temples, &C., OF the Japa:
nese:
"The streets are wide and straight. and the
better class of houses two stories high, plaster
ed, and rooted with elegant tiles. The interior
is very clean and neat, and the rooms, covered
with mats, and separated from each other by
sliding screws, that are closed or removed at
pleasure There are no chimneys in japan.
4 charcoal fire is built in little sand pit in
the middle of the floor around which the fami'
ly are usually found seated on their knees,
drinking tea and smoking their pipes. Not a
chair, or any other species of furniture, can be
seen. Tubs Of water are keptin front OF each
house as well as on the roofs, in readiness
against any fire, for conAagrations are so ire
ouent and extensive that whole towns are
sometimes burnt down. -,
The temples, chiefly Budhists, are beauti-
fully situated in the suburbs. The entrance
to them leads generally through rows Of ele-
CANT trees and wild camelias. They are large
plain structures with high peaked roofs, resem-
bling the houses pictured on Chinese porvs-
lain. In the space Immediately in front is a
large bell tor summoning the faithful, q stone
reservoir of holy water. and several roughly
hewn stone idols. The doorway is ornament
ed with curious looking dragons, and other
animals carved in wood. Upon entering, there
is nothing special about the buildings worth
noting, the naked sides: exposed rafters having
gloomy appearance. The altar is the only
object that attracts attention. 1t so much re-
sembes the Roman Catholic, that need not
describe it. Some of these idols are SO SINH
lar to those have seen in the churches of lta-
ly, that if they were mutually translated, |
doubt whether either set Of worshippers would
discover the change. The priests count beads,
shave their heads and wear analogous robes,
and the service is attended by the the ringing
of bells, the lighting Of candles and the burn'
ing of incense. In fact, except that the cross
is nowhere to be seen, one could easily imagine
himself within Roman Catholic place Of
worship.