Washington sentinel., 1854-02-05
9ptal ann 9frs0nal.

Curi0sities from Japan.-Commodore Perry
commanding the Japan expedition, recently sent
to the President Of the United States large box
containing various specimens Of Japanese manu-
features. The President has deposited them in
the National Gallery, patent Ofice) where the
public now have an opportunity of examining the
articles for themselves. The box in which they
were transmitted is of camphor-wood; the top of
it the cross-grain of the tree, handsomely inlaid
with brass. The lock is of peculiar construction;
the key four-cornered one, fitting in quadran-
gular pivot.
Mr.. John Warden, who has long been connected
with the National Gallery, and TO whose skill has
been confded the arrangement and superintend-
ence of the various articles Of curiosity there de-
posted, has placed the Japan wares in large
case $50 as TO present them all at once 10 inspec-
tion. Here we have fans made of a species Of
cane, the wood delicately split, and spread out in
an oval FORM uhis is covered with paper ele-
gantly painted with human figures in part, in
bright coors, and otherwise adorned--a very Gre
ditable production;) a set of wooden cups and
saucers, and sundry bowls with covers, thickly
japanned. and of different coors. some of them
touched with gold; roll of cloth. composed Of
red white. yellow, and blue silk interviewer with
gold another, yellow silk and gold combined; and
a broad silk sash. These articles are rich and
heavy, and afford some idea Of the high state OF
manufactures among the people with whom our
citizens generally are desirous of cultivating a
commercial intimate acquaintance. A lot of opium
pipes, the bowls and tips fnely-polshed brass and
steel, uhe stems Of cane, stained or painted) with
hieroglyphics on the metal. These are accompa-
MED by silk pipe-cases andopium-pouches, the ma
terial being plentiful in that country, one would
suppose by the uses which are made of it.
Beside these, there are small wooden boxes,
elegantly japanned; two of them intended as
commissarat department, being divided into parti-
tions for containing deposits of food. Adrinkng
vessel that could be put into the vest pocket OF
an outside barbarian, is among the contents; and
il is supposed that this vessel answers the pur-
pose OF what is sometimes called 'pocket-pstol."
Two papers of Japanese leaf tobacco are in the
collection. 1t is of good taste, excepting the cam
phor with which it was impregnated by confne-
ment in the big box or trunk.
We regard the collection as valuable acquisi-
ton to the national gallery.
The Liquor Question.-It will be recollected
that, at the last June election, the people, by a
vote Of two to one, declared against licensing the
sale Of spurious liquors il Washington. Accord
ing to the terms of the question, as presented
Congress, in the event of a negative response by
our citizens, was to be pe,itoned, through the
councils for an amendment of the charter, 70 ena-
BILE them to pass prohibitory law, or something
10 that effect. Not long since the hoard OF COM
mon council proposed 10 refer the matter 10
special committee, but the board OF aldermen
amended the resolution, placing the SUBJECT IN
charge Of the joint committee appointed 10 repre-
sent the interests of the city generally before Con-
press. and in this amendment the common council
readily acquiesced-yeas two, nays sixteen.
We are inclined to believe that nothing what
ever will be effected by this action OF the city
fathers.
The Auxiliary Guard.-The members Of this
body have pettioned Congress for additional pay !;
The amount now established being entirely TOO
small, considering that they are by the rules for
their government excluded from engaging in any
business apart from their duty as watchmen.
There are only thirty men employed as the aux
iliary guard; it is a force created and maintained
by the general government, for the protection
more especially Of the public property. However,
they render good service 10 the city generally,
and are liable to be called out during the day.
whenever Circumstances may render such an order
necessary We are satisfied that, if their case
shall be understood by those who have control OF
the national purse, the prayer will be granted.
>--- @
Military Visit.-The Baltimore Clipper, OF yes
terday, says aThe Washington Greys, Of Phila-
delphia, have made preparations for visit to Bal
timore, Washington, and Richmond. They will
arrive in this city on Monday evening, the goth
inst, at 6o'clock, remain over night quarterng az
the Eutaw House. The succeeding morning they
will leave for Washington, stopping at the Nation
al Hotel during the day and night On Wednss-
day they will leave for Richmond, where they VIII
be entertained at the Exchange Hotel. While In
this city, they will be the guests Of the City
Guards, Capt. Weston. The SD regiment have
il in contemplation TO give them an escort on their
arrival"
George w Watterston.-Th gentleman died yes
terday morning at his residence on Capitol Hill. he
was generally known one Of our oldest citizens,
and as having always taken an active interest IN
every movement calculated to advance the IN
terests Of Washington. From time to time he
furnished many interesting city "reminiscences
through the public press. He was for many years
member Of the city councils, and librarian of the
library Of Congress, and at the time of his death
secretary to the Washington National Monument
Society
He was, we learn over seventy years OF age,
and, until within the last month, efficient in the
performance of his official duties, in connexion
with that society
Police Returns.--The following cases were
reported TO Captain Steele, chief Of police, by the
several police officers, for the past week: Curs-
ing and swearing, 8; violating city ordinance, q;
Migrants, a; assaults and assaults and battery, 13;
ca. sa, 8; threats of violence, z; stealing, 81;
concert without license, l; drunk and drunk and
dsorderly, S; fighting, 2; attachment, 1; selling
liquor by the small, 1; selling liquor without
license 2; dsorderly conduct, 1; riding his horse