The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1854-07-15
MISCELLANY.
The Japanese,

MISCELLANY.
The Japanese.
Apy information concerning the habits Gus.
toms and institutions of this newly opened En-.
pire, is SPECIALLY interesting. and tie subject
accordingly occupies large space of the for.
elgn correspondence of our leading Journals.
Wegiean hs following items from the special
,correspondeHce of the New York Herald:
Astonishment at the rail fond and telegraph
overcamc all other feelings. Placed in a Circle,
the rail road worked beautifully, and only after
the American officers got in and went flyinp
round, drawn by the small engine, would they
essay it. Infinite was their surprise at finding
themselves whirled through the air with such
velocity. "The Butch have shown US name of
these things was their observation.
The Jnpenese would not believe the tele-
graph at first. They gave it very Sc we're test.
For instance, placing q Japanese at either ' OK.
tremity, they would converse on improbable
subjects, and not connectcdly, suspecting some
Imposition. For example-ft waap beautiful
day; and the man. stationed at the other end,
said it was raining. The Japanese word for
this was Angliciscd, and the sound. reproduced
by the furtlicroperator to his attendant Great
wns their wonder, on comparing notes, to find
t'nt the telegraph had conveyed their messages
corrcctly.-Wires have been ordered, and the
intention expressed to extend this line at once
to some place remote from Jcddo They have
the means of making wire and all the appsra-
tus. They Certainly have clocks for, number
OF these being among the presents, and one of
them being out of order, was being adjusted by
an engineer on board one Of the steamers
"Givc yourself no trouble" signifcd to him
one of the japanese; 81 will send it to- the
cloekmnker in Jeddo, who will repair it,.
They are not so unacquainted with outside
affairs as is imagined; nor are they unaeauaint-
n dyft
to them. For instance, they asked H the rail
road had been finished to the Aissisappi from
California. ~ ssssv.,
In relation to thes5cial habits Of these pco.
pie, the most favorable accounts are given.
Your friend Captain Buchanan gave an enter
tainment to few of the chief men, or to one
OF the chiefs. requesting that; few friends be
hundred persons came. Room: was made or
the spacious deck, and things went on merfily.
The extract from rice ia now the only liquor
known in Japan. 1t is called saki by them.
Hence they gave the name of American saki I"
to all the drinks. They are fond Of ardent
every wine and of every dish Insidc of their
long robes, kept together by belt around tho
waist, they carry n roll of paper, used gener-
ally as pocket handkerchicf-a small piece at
time. They use this paper also at feasts to
wrap. up small pieces of each dish, making q
considered very high compliment. You may
imagine at an American dinner they would fill
themselves with some notyery palatable winds.
AS in duty bound, on the occasion referred to,
one of theig guests helped himself to wine glass
of sweet oil, which he was obliged to 'disgorge
at once of course He made 20 note as usual,
of the drink Some one was curious to know
what he had written: II was-"This the wors.
| wine they have.got'', ~Sss "
They waited afterstIey were helped, and fol.
lowed the examples Of The AqiericansS All that
| has been said of their politsness is 4rue It
would be difficult t9sand a, people exoelling
Whensyelleniivened by the saki, they would
permit their swords to- examined taking
them off and quitting theia ON one side; On one
of these occasions the quality the steetwaa
tested by cutting IN American sword on it.
The Japanese scimitar yielded, showing that
what has been said of the superiority their
metal is not entirely true. u. Z: ! 1850
attraetioa on % bora efshe as % Steamers 0iT Thss Z
never ceased;to wonder at the immense display
of iron, all for use and in constant fiicatiol
1t is no matter of surprise that. tbs Jnpanese
were struck. with the symmetry m1gnif'
cence of these vessels, when mep- who hayt
/ been at sea for years, on first visiting one o.
these mejestis: vessels, eSpsrispee . sensation O.
They asked Gonlmod dofss Perry If any 'mor.
4 ships were eomip& Perry told them. yes sbui
q If they would pr6n11ii TO treat e would order
Il o uessei 70 S 90 and 2detAiR eS NtbaFs, 81 Til
skpromise being given lsssSs5 S6ablsd Il
Send away the sIEau aueIisfl ttend Mr.
q ComIlission Nc IShesg <WliR COED Canton j
4 herr fthis IneanAwe 6 or are in g
Thousands are Tssd =
the opportunity OF E0l3dE6 fkh thiG S6Mn
! tlttysnnd no doubtswe sh}d 5S& know Whatd