The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-11-08
A VISIT TO JAPAN.
intellectual and Moral Characteristics, Customs,
Manners and Costume Of the japanese.
THE CIVILIZATION OF EXCLUSIVENESS.
Will THE REMOVAL or THE BARRIER IMPROVE ri
&C., &c, &c.


ON the ed March last, have been of such varied
citing interesting and agreeable nature that to give you
even a rough sketch within the limits Of letter. must
commence from the beginning, and take but hurried
glance at things they pass IT. within these limits
N time occupied In reading my epise of rough out
Hnes you but participate in 1.-THE of the wild excite
uent and continued pleasure which have fallen to
happy lot in home, amid the interesting
islands which have visited shall be glad indeed.
The rude sketches and densatons Of the varied
in which have participated give you in crude shape
leaving for YOU in ImaeIaion to ill the picture which
has much pleased me. long preface often BODIES
duh letter, and for fear that also may fall into this but
100 common error let at with the in
cidents of cruise. We left Hong Kong the
ing of the 2d of March last The morning calm and
delightful; but before night battling against
strong N E. monsoon and making the best of
the Pescadore Islands, where arrived and anchored
TIE evening Of the 9th March.
The Pescadsres group Of islands tributary to
C2ina living in the Formosa channel between Formosa
and China They consist of cluster of small islands,
thinly inhabited Their form alton is very singular
They rise with gentle sweep from the to the height
about $50 feet and then spread out into broad table
lands and Uniform is this height throughout the
whole group without barely undulatng lue, that it
appears nature had in caprice, adjusted than all to
q uniform standard. The islands well cultivated, but
completely destitute Of forests trees the viii
lagos and bames and the general appearance is bleak
and sterile Numbers of hamles and villages of Chinese
The seashore the harbor in which anchored
was completely landiocked to resemble inland
lake 1t is large enough to contain the largest navy in
the world and although gale raging outside we
rode in quiet at single anchor, with ripple
the surface of the water Three of US visited the
Governor at Mokery, opposite which place were, and
met With friendly reception but failed to get any
Of the Popoie which the object Of visit Upon
having saluted by band OF Chinese music and
three guns, (he greatest number fred a salute
IN Chna) In our stroll through the village we saw
nothing worthy Of note except the usual flthiness OF
Chinese villages, sq.and population, Quantities Of
usual. We gladly left, and returned to the ship
The following morning we got under weigh in the face
Of NJ gale and continued until Of the follow
ing day making cut little headway We put about AMI
sSod to the southwark under steam and sail down the
We we're snusy anchored rhe name Formosa, or the
Beautiful, is apty applied to this lovely island The
scenery along the whole coast either highly picturesque
grand and magnificent. Some Of the aius
their crests far ABOVE the region of Clouds and
with sparkling snow The valleys are rich with
uxui liant vegetation the hill sides Swallowed by magnif
cent forests and the plains reflect the varied hues of ex
teDsive cultivation
aud the Chinese settlers the coast constant warfare
h waged-he merchant at his desk, the husbaadlan at
his plough. and the herdsman with his herds, all 60
armed prevent surprise from the foe who Is
the alert for the unsuspecng and unway We stopped
NJ tive places, but udings OF the PorpoSe were OBJ
tanned and all hopes for the ilated brig aban
doned and her fate will ever remain mystery. We
sailed down the coast rounded the south CAPE aud after
reaching the port where we had last been voyage
down from Shanghae we stood towards Great Loo
Choo and anchored in the roads Of Napa kang the
afternoon Of the 9th April The remarkable beauty Of
the island Of Great 100 Choo when approaching
from the cannot fail strike the most casual OBJ
server and dull indeed must the Apr ecation Of pic.
turesque scenery be in him who does not at
claia How enchanting how beautiful p The whole
scene charming lovely and picturesque and the island
a factn adtHa hnut
sweeping in graceful undulaons from the shore,
the ano rises in the interior the height Of aboat 500
het-its summit varyin from three to i've miles dis
tant in the interior, with scarcely hill Of any MAJ
nitude the island.
The country presents the appearance of vast garden
highly cultivated and tas,cuiy ornamental. The varied
hues Of the and rpening crops relieved by the
dense DARK foliage of the fir thickes scattered the
ancscaee the rows Of stately pines aad ornamental
trees which mark the wndngs OF the numerous roads an
pains Of the country, while clusters groups of trees
and hsmets add pleasing variety 20 the scene Rocks
detached and the shore and The hill
81 rugged and broken in thor formation, closely
resemble ruins OF other days that but little Imagination
villages which ornament the line OF t5ast-h,
hamlets a the hushanhmcngive life and interest 70
the natural charms which ae here found in sucn pro
fusion. Numbers OF little Hs1ins boats dot the surface OF
the placid d lodging among rocks aud shoals in
search Of tho hnhy tribe Among these stately and an
ecuth junks laxiy along IL In contempt of the
smaller fry which surround them.
The appearance Of he island from the sea is only
eeeled by what we ae wards saw In our iamhles
trra frma ON which there is scarcely spot but what
has Its proportionate snare Of intrinsic beauty and
wheresoe steps led US we ever found something
admire, and each in itself ape ,rei
beautiful than the last with which we all were en-
rsptured and Though our tramps extended over many
miles, l cannot recall weary moment Or an uninte
resting sight The roads throughout the island are
broad we'll paved and clean lined either side by
ofvaious kinds OF shade trees, they ind through
groves ograceful bambt stately pines The houses
story built Of stone bamboo, and covered with
tiles or thatch are each enclosed oy stone wal" VI
which is nice little garden. ornamented with miniature
lhndtcopes
three miles from Napa and IL the residence OF the King
Court and ru'i If the land The palace Il surroan isd
BY massive stone wall, varying from thirty t. seventy
feet in height but with neither loophoes enbr
the immediate vicinity large fish ponds, covering
OF several acres, ornamented with islands, in
which are temples pleasure houses ami shady groves
bridges and the etceieras Of luxurious place. Tue
town Is large, and in most lovely, elevated situation
commanding exten've views in every direction to the
The walls surrounding the gardens OF tae most
houses built with skill not to be excellel
by workmen, and aithou neither ioe nor ce
Is used the stones placed with such degree of
nicely and exactness that lasting stability is ensured
The people industrious race, remarkable for their
tipoDess and hospitality, eentemaHy department, polite.
agreeable aTable and easy .nnera mlness of d,spos
ton and pleasing address, We no occasion observed
Kind, SO common in China; and We could but conclude
that they as they assert, "a polite people, they
have neither arms weapons among them, unless the
I'm and pipe which all carry, may oe deemed sucn,
Weapons they say, useless they neither quarrel
nor fight and no bad man can live among them. The
whole character a the people founded on high stan.
dard of both manners and morsls, and We hal every
be pleased with visit TO this most aterest
ing and hospi'abh island.
The dress consists Of long robe fastened round
the waist by broad sash belt; trowse-s stockings
and sandals The hair II shsven from tho top OF the
heal that of the sides front and back is then drawn
NJ the crown, fastened by Knot and securel With
pins those silver denote the gentleman and brass
the lower classes. The Few womea whom We saw we're
c the lower and their dress too scanty aud
ragged 10 need de- cIiph vi. We ramhed wherever we
pleased without being annoyed py crowds or even fn'
gle hh'Mer; and sherever went we always met with
cordsi welcome or greeting After getting IN supplies
81 wood and water to the Amasa INA grs p
distant twenty miles 20 the southward and westward
where We remained ten Gays surveying. The islands
thiny popuia ed by settlers from Loo Cnoo We hsS ne
sport Of the sak islands among some n-rss "
teer wls-h found there, and our mes did no. want
OF venison during stay. The dey previous to ,ar
eaving were informed by the that the - der
were the Kings preserve; that he had imported the
great expene from China, and had put them here 20
breed and requested that would shoot more-ae
lafe day rnturr.d % Nh,