Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-23

TIE PEOPLE OF JAPAN-A correspondent OF
the London Times, in letter dated Shanghai,
September 8, gives an account of Lord Elglns
visit to Japan, and says: !.
But the party on shore did not contne Itself
to exploring the city alone; excursions OF 10
miles into the country were made in two dl1ler-
emit directions, and but one opinion prevailed
with respect to the extraordinary evidences OF
civilization which met the eye in every direc-
ton. Every cottage, temple aud tea mouse was
surrounded BY gardens laid out with exqulslI,e
taste, and the most elaborate neatness was skill
fully blended with the grandeur OF design. Inc
natural features of the country were admlraoiy
taken advantage of, and long ride was certain
to be rewarded by romantic scene, where q
tea house was picturesquely perched over wa
ter fall, or temple reared its carved gables a.
mid groves Of ancient cedar. The tea house is
a national characteristic of Japan. The travel
Ter wearied with the MONDAY heat, need never
be at loss to find rest and retieshment
Stretched upon the softest and ceanest OF mat
ting, imbbing the most delicately Favored tea,
inhaling through a short pipe the fragrant to-
bacco of Japan, he resigns himself to the minis
trations of fair damsels, who glide rapidly and
noiselessly about, the most jealous and skillful
of attendants
In their personal cleanliness, the japanese pre-
sent marked contrast to the Chinese; no de-
formed objects meet the eye in the crowded
street; cutaneous diseases seem almost unknown
In Nagasaki, towards evening, large portion
of the male and female population might be seer
innocently clubbing" at the corners Of the
streets. In Jeddo they frequent large bathing
establishments, the door of which is open to the
passer-by, and presents curious spectacle, more
especially if the inmates of both sexes ingenu-
ousy rush to it to gaze at him as he rides blush
|ingy past
Suffice it to be recorded as our general inn
preston that, in its climate, its fertility, and its
picturesque beauty, Japan is not equaled by any
country on the face OF the globe; while, as if tc
harmonic with its surprising natural endow-
ments, it is peopled by a race whose qualities
are of the most amiable and winning description
and whose material prosperity has been so e.
qualified as to insure happiness and contentment
to all classes. We never saw two japanese
quarrel, and beggars have yet to be introduced
with other luxuries of Western civilization. II
lis not to be wondered at that people rendered
independent by the resources of their country
and the frugality and absence of luxury which
so strkingly characterize them should not have
experienced any great desire to establish an in
tercourse with other nations, which, In all PROB
ability, would carry in its train greater evils
than could be compensated for by its incidental
advantages Their exclusiveness has arisen, no
as in China, from an assumption of superiority
over the rest of the world but from convic
ton that the wel-being and happiness of the
community would not be increased by the intro
duction of foreign tastes and luxuries; and tha
very propensity to initiate and adopt the appli-
ances of civilization, so foreign to the Ohinaman
is so strongly developed in Japan that their ru
lers foresee that the changes now being effected
will, in all probability, some day or other revo-
lutionize the country,-an apprehension Which
need cause the Emperor but little alarm; no one
can doubt who has visited the two countries
that the Chinaman will still be navigating the
canals of his country in the crazy old junks o.
bis ancestors when the Japanese is skimming a.
long his rivers in high pressure steamers, or fly
ing across the country behind a locomotive.