The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-20
Interesting sketch OF Japan.


SIMoDA, Aug. |, 1855
rst Of the Poohatan 10 Nagasaki-Mr Hrris Prolress
icln he Japdnese-Com. Peryu's Presena-book, DIS
criLing Japan Generally Hunnbugs
II is now two years since sent first Consul 10
Japan in accordance with provision of the treaty Of
hanogawa, made in 1885, by Commodore Perry lie
brought here by the United States steamer San ia
cino ana left alone in his glory to the infinite disgust
OF me authorities, who told him 10 60 away for year
and then come back by which time they should have
house built for him Being thus unavoidaby left upon
their hands, they made the best OF bad bargain how
upon him. supplied hum with everything IN the japanese
eating line, ana finally began to look upon him and his
secretary as rather pleasant additions TO their society
Messrs Harris and Hueskn now began to look around
them Tor amusement They found the golden pho isan
plentiful among the ncighborng hills and When sati,cd
with cunning and long walks, the former turned his
received permission to visit that city in his official
capacity and the first thing that he obtained
the signing oil an Important convention, and is again
Smoda This convention was published in the United
States IN January Of this year, and shall let ii pass
INC, The mannerin which Mr.. Harris and his sccre
afy went TO Yeddo is interesting The En-
pcror sent him body guard of 100 men, and
bad comfortable houses put up along the road for him
pass the nights In He also him q large sedan chair
carried by twelve bearers and roomy that he put a
mattress into II and reciined full length he was
tired OF sitting. II only about seventy miles from this
place eddo but the country rugged and the roads
SO bad the first OF the way that they days
In accomplishing the distance Every night they stopped
at one OF the comfortable houses which had been pre-
pared expressly upon his account and after early
breakfast resumed their road Upon arriving al Jeddo
tueN were lodged IN the most COmmodous
cd with the greatest respect ana attention. granted
tervews with the Emperor The reader aware
that every "ne, foreigner japanese who has hereto
lore approached The Emperor has been required to
do so upon his knees. This custom they were de
tefmned 20 adhere 20 10 the present case but how
other il had never before been 90 difficult to bell the
cat" ''Who 10 speak Mr. H. about ~, Tina,
was the question Finally Japanese Douglas stepped
forward and offered 10 brace his huge shoulders the
This gentleman was not the most determined ia
pan, but tben he upon the intimate terms OF
6oh social AMI political intercourse with the American
legation tic therefore called upon Mr. H., and
menced the attack by begging tina; he would not be Of
Tended al what he was going 10 say.
Certainly not says that gentleman. But he has
mixing Of what il coming and look Of sudden and unu
sual gravity causes Douglas to trembe. Instead there
FORE Of preaching The subject he begs that his
% ExcelenCy will not be offended something which he
Douglas has been ordered TO say" and then-cough and
looks behind hun.
Certainly not" aud increase of gravity in the Con
sar face. Corresponding increase OF the
pant of Douglas. Grand tabeau, in which the American
eagle Us supposed to dominate. Final desperation OF
douglas, and outburstIngpf the secret.
MI. Harris listened quietly and kindly 10 all he had to
say and then replied with his usual Judgment and firm
ness Of manner. He told him that he anxious
everything that consistent with selfrespect
honor TO the Emperor, bu that this thing the
question, anc hac better not be referred again We're
NipoD 20 send Minister to my country" he said he
might approach President in any manner he saw it,
lie might kree anu knock his bead against the floor or
be might bow 10 him and shake hands. There we allow
every one perfect liberty; and is but right, therefore,
that be allowed the same here"
Very well, very wet, :" replied douglas haf apollo
kNA's.la aHI lius question Tor ever,
remarked Mr. II.
Mr. Harris has been twice to Yeddo since he was landed
by The san Jacinio, and remained three months
each time. lie speaks IN flatering terms of the
primitive simplicity Of the Imperial habits Of the absence
q everything Ike magnicence about his palace aud Of
the general Kindness and feeling cvnced by all
toward him. He mentioned the Of one old lady in
particular, who was even now engaged in the motherly
TASK making him some wadded silk shirts to protect
him from the approaching winter These acts trivial
but they Indicate very plainly the nature Of japanese
feeling towards Americans. Even the Emperor has load
ca Inn down with Kindness. When hc lying sick at
this place special messenger arrived daily from Jeddo to
ask after hts health. and 10 bring him present ex
Lressye q the interest that was felt for his
The Imperial doctor was also sent 10 attend upon him
such things these have before been known the
history OF japan Our able Consul General has very
poor opinion about the majority OF books which have been
written about this country. " when'-he queries
when Will writers learn TO write only that which they
see man has no need Of Imagination here-,ruth i
stroug enough We hive il world OF romance Simply
because (rocrrnC TO writers in goncraD the truth IL
q them. He however, speaks IN the highest terms 81
Commodore Perry course while out here, and mentioned
many good results which now flowing from H. IL
was man OF great good Judgment, and accomplished
much any could possibly have done under the
cumsttnces' lie said, upon one occasion though
differently myself, bu, accepted his judgment more
likely 10 be correct hroagh personal observatory than
my ovn."
Speaking Of Commodore Perry, asked him how the
daanosc bad treated the expensive presents which that
officer lad presented them, on the part Of the govern
mcft three Or four years back.
We'll know an going 20 surprise yop now, /" he
fbcd. "fou know that Commodore Perry gave them,
tender, and brass boat huwtzer-Unr o. the Dahgren
guns They have large house built lor The safe keeping
.. ts railroad aat every and then take 1t out. ay
'hc 1ses, 80 - steam, aud then away dozen %
more Agn arcrs gIon circular pleasure trip Jipa-
tns ncfs haS, charge 81 everything and
n uaa "a the discharge Of their duty. suppose that
thcy II have aifack laid from kanAgasa Jcido,
bst doubt Il Tie railroad will ray IN any other plrt o.
81 Un The country l. too broken As for the boat hot
they have hal one thousand cas-. exactly Ike H. and
mounted them IA the forts Of their different ports. And
noe Dr., 4 something else that viii surprise you. Upon
Mail NNaf N 4 tfg h4g
upon Wash nfttn birthday they arcl salute ~ twenty
gUn with Theses howi1crs. Mr. Heaskins aud myself
attended. wtl ne American lag Tying, md the people
eAi ht'd Nc Erclifs good eeng ana rath1slsin One
might almost have imagined them Americans"
what have they done With the ccctrc telegraph that
was presented thtmf' asked.
Little or nCtLiug think. Bot am certain. They
&c making astonishing bcaiway however, n the groual
WCfs Cor future intercourse With tho world Five or *
months since they asked me a. great favor to be allow
owcd o. send minister TO tue United States 81 dear
sifs, ifcItea, do %, ask tbs IS favor, Is Jour
right send a minister with lar-c a suite a. you
c'oose and you may be certain Of a friendly rccep.
ton"
And would the United states furnish Us transportation
from bore % The isihmesY~ Le asked.
Certainly, } replied. /" and trea, you with the
greatest kindness a1d attention during your whole
" Yes" remarked laughngly ~ can imagine ia
nes. minister aud suite "a The bands Of The New York
Cty Fathers WHAT tine they would have az ~ How
every theatre would throw open a. doors for them an
The crowd they would draw; and how japanese reserve
AID icye - out would ~ driven 70 dspcratra BY the
these officers and princes rich enough 10 make grand
display % would they carry along with them their staple
dress aud tasteSy'
"rhey would be just SOW them now be replied
Owe have idea 81 The sound common sense. and
everything Ike prcicnsion, peculiar ~ these people.
Iake the Emperor himself, for instance. Tie you
may ELptse. very rich, and vel positive that bis
btc af. coming 10 Api not cost bin s3p0 year. Why,
ttat would tot tlian pay fof W. gloves "
D. oadway dandy with You have dUuht0ss seen The
az o. sot matt ~ with which the o0rs II their houses
~, covered Wei the oors q the palace arc covered y
tbe m way and tbs mating serves a. TIE hmp4rufs
bed well that ~ The poorest house serves the bed
Cf his poorest subject he stretches himself out. with
wooden low under he read, AMI sleeps sleep rarely
r'ancd 90 bis brother munarchs. To Japanese thus
sacf NE. with lis head rbfurty raised I've inches,
you would predict sd neck future spinal Affection
eeucsai result ard Sc, there L healthy geo.
nc ltlrE
"whst sid ,he Emperor ook lIkeg'' ono n us asked
'QAte uue looking man. with soft voice and plea
sani smile J suptos, ho thirty bva years Oh.
Y ec SNOW D. ls; for, II IS c0nsderc1 polite IN
Japan y ASK one ~ age and how many children he has,
Wt* ~ fuVt-", po,e. Poor fellow He has what