Washington telegraph., 1854-07-12

anu diteT tuc UuTial one vi tueiH Temarkeu
that according to the inscription on the lid
the man was native of Ireland, not of
America; but the explanation that followed
proved satisfactory The japanese under
stood the distinction between Protestants
and Roman Catholics
Before the interview broke up, the Com
modore mentioned that he proposed to give
his officers leave to go on shore for recrea-
ton. To this no great objection was made,
and we believe that within few days after
ward several of the officers were taking ex-
ercises on Shore Rev. Z. G. Bitiinger, the
chaplain, made several excursions among
the villages and cornields, which last he
found in high cultivation. The houses were
generally thatched, but those of the better
sort were covered with tiles, having yards
and small gardens within enclosures
The following day, the same gentleman,
finding the people neither unfriendly nor
indisposed to receive him, and having OBJ
tained leave TO 60 on shore, determined to
visit two large cities some miles off. called
Kauagawa and Kasacca, and with that view
crossed an arm of the bay, which shortened
the distance by several miles He then
proceeded through kanagawa, supposed to
contain from to 100000 inhabitants: and
from the immense crowds that poured out
everywhere to see the stranger, there can be
no doubt of the population being very great
The crowds, however, caused no inconve-
nience or impediment, for on a wave of the
hand from the japanese officials who accom-
panied Mr.. Bittinger, the people cleared a
passage: and afterwards a messenger having
been sent forward for the purpose. the peo-
pie packed themselves at the sides of the
houses and left the center of the streets
clear for the stranger He entered some
of the houses which he found primitive in
their furniture and arrangements; but, COM
pared with other Oriental dwellings of the
same class, neat, clean. and comfortable.
In some of them he observed clocks of
japanese manufacture. He also visited
several temples, which, though smaller than
in China, have more gliding on their walls,
and ornaments on their idols, and generally
are in better order. The priests as well as
the people were distinguished for their cour-
tesy. The cities thus visited were not only
very extensive ESTIMATED to be six miles
long.) but with wide, wcll-formed streets
kasacca is from ID to 20 miles distant b.
land from the ships; and Mr.. Bittinger be-
ing thus necessarily long absent. some anx-
iety was felt about him. As he was return
ing, japanese officer put into lis hands
an order from the Commodore for all Off
GERS to return on board, and shortly AFTER
wards, Il courier, mounted on a splendid
black horse delivered similar dispatch,
and finding it was understood and acted on.
turned round and galloped back again to re-
port the approach of the American officer,
who concluded his journey by torch-lghf,
and found on his arrival, that everything
that had occurred, had been noted. even
the number of buttons on his coat being re-
corded
Four days after the interview, the pres
ents were interchanged, time having been
required to erect places for their reception
Those for the Emperor consisted of, among
other things
A railway with steam engine; an electric
telegraph, a surf boat; life boat, a print
ing press; fine lorgnette; set of Audi
bons American Ornithology. splenddly
bound; plates of American Indians; maps
of different States of America; agricultural
Implements with all the modern improve
ments; piece of cloth; bale of cotton:
stove; rifles, pistols, and swords; champagne,
cordials, and American whiskey.
And to the Empress (presuming there is
A telescope; a lorgnette in a gilded case;
lady's toilet-box. gilded; scarlet velvet
dress; changeable silk dress, fowered;
splendid robe; Audubon's Illustrated Works;
a handsome set of China; maniel:piece
clock; par'or stove; a box of fine Wines;
box of perfumery; box of fancy soaps.
OF the other presents perhaps the one
most valued was copy of Webster's CON-
plete dictionary to one of the Imperial in
terpeters. To one of the high officers were
given books, rifles, pistols, swords. wines,
cloths. maps, stoves, clocks, and cordials.
the last of which they fully appreciated. and,
as regards clocks, when it was proposed to
bring an engineer from on shrboard to set
them agoing, the japanese said there was
no occasion for that, for they had clock-ma-
kers in Yeddo who understood them per.
fectly. They were curious to know, how
ever, about Ericsson's caloric engine. of
which they had heard. but, from the Com
modore at any rate. we suspect they would
not receive very favorable opinion of its
practical utility.
Whatever may be thought of some of the
other presents. the railway and telegraph,
at which the world at the time was disposed
to laugh, were happy hits. The rail is on
ly about 800 yards in all, but being formed
in circle, the carriage can be driven at
the rate of 40 miles or more Just at first
the Japanese were chary of venturing into
the car, but after single trial there was