Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1854-07-11
Japan EpexditiOn.

A correspondent of The N. T. Herald
furnished some additional particulars Of The
intercourse OF our people with The Jopanese,
exhibiting them in an interesting light. We
make an extract:
AsIonishmenI al the railroad and telegraph
overcame all other feelings. Placed in the
circles. the railroad worked beautifully, and
only after the American officers got It went
flying around, drawn by. the small engine
would they essay il. Infinite was their sur
prise at finding themselves whirled through
the air with such velocity. "The Ouch
have shown US none OF these things" vas
their first observation.
The Japanese would NOT believe the tele.
graph a. first. They gave ii very severe
test. For instance. placing japanese at
either extremity, they would converse on
improbable subjects, and no, connecIedly
suspecling some imposition. For example
1t was beautiful day; and The man sla.
toned at one end directed tho operator 10
say TO the person at the other end that it
was raining. The Japanese, word for This
was Anglicised. and the sound reproduced
by the further operator to his attendant
Great was their wondor, or comparing notes
TO find that the telegraph had conveyed their
messages correctly. Wires have been orr
dered, and the intention expressed TO extend
this line al once 10 some place remote from
Jeddo. They have the means Of making
wire and all The apparatus. They certainly
have clocks; for, number OF these being
among the presents, and one of lhom being
out Of order, was being adjusted by an en-
gineer on board one Of the steamers. "Giye
yourself no lrouole," signifed 10 him one
Of the Japanese; III will send il 10 the clock
maker in Jeddo, who will repair in
| They are not SO unacquainied with outside
affairs as is imagined; nor are they unac-
quainted with the duties resulting from our
contgui.y TO them. For instance, they ask
ed If The railroad had been finished 10 the
|, Mississippi from California.
In relation 10 the social habits Of these
+ people, the m osi favorable accounts are civ.
en-. Your friend, Capt, Buchanan, gave
an entertainment to few Of the chief men,
or 10 one oc The chiefs, requesting tha. lew
A friends be brought. The result was that
. eighty or one hundred persons came.--
. Room was made on the spacious deck, and
f things went on merrily. The ex,rac,
| from rice is now the only liquor known in
S Japan. Ii is called Saki by them. Honee
a they gave the name Of American saki' 10
: all The drinks. They are fond of a.den,
9 spirits. The guests made i, business 10
taste Of every wine and Of every dish. In.
side of their long robes, KEEP, together by q
belt around the waist, they carry roll of
Q paper, used generally as pocket handker.
1 chief--a small piece at time. They use
. this paper also al foasls TO wrap up small
pieces Of each dish, making a note in regard
10 i, a, the same time. This is considered
;, very high compliment. You may imng.
s inc a, an American dinner they would fill
themselves with some not very palalable
+. viands. As in du.y bound, OH the occasion
n referred 10, one of The guests helped himself
|, to wire glass of sweet oil, which he was
4. obliged to disgorge at once of course lie
i, made note, as usual, Of the drink. Some
one was curious TO know what he had writ
!. ten. II was2"This is The worst wine ihey
s have GOT"
. They wai.ed after they wore helped, and
q ioiioWeu 'uc eAWiVles VI ttl6 HinerlcdnS.--
: All that has been said Of their polileness is
q true. Ii would be difficult 10 find people
n excellng them in that respect.
9 When we'll eqlivened by the saki, they
). would permit their swords TO be examined,
i taking them off and putting them one side
d On one Of these occasions the quality OF
Tho steel was tested by cutting an American
j. sword on it, The japanese scImetar yield
o ed, showing that what has been said of the
n superiority Of their metal is not entirely true.
The engine room was the, principal point
: Of attraction on board Of the steamers They
0 never ceased 10 wonder al the immense
h display Of iron, all for use and in con-
o slant application. Ii is no matter OF sur
l. prise that 'he japanese were struck with tho
. symmetry aud magniicence Of these vessels,
d when men who have been a. sea for years
y on first wishing one ofthese majestic vessels
d experience sensation Of admiration and as
o lonishmen,.