The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-11-18
LORD ELGIN IN JAPAN.
Correspondence OF the london Times. I


shanghai, Sept. 3.--Nothing can exceed in pictu-
rescue beauty the bay of Nagasak and the situation
the city at its extremity. Boats of quaint construction
with sharppointed prows and broad serns above which
futter two black and white tlagsthe imperial colors-
glance the harbor, propelled by stalwat naked
figures who skull to the tune of a measured chant.
The foepart of the boat is covered by roof and con-
tains posse of two sworded officials who ncontinently
board Zach ship it anchors speak very fair Dutch are
extremely inquistve but very gentemanlke and good
natured and who after official curiosity had been salts
fed proceed to make their reports and return in all
probability. to crcumnavgate the ship guard boat
during the rest of its stay in the harbor Dutch
chant ship and Japanese ofwar steamer
the only vessels in the harbor when arrived and
anchored about half mile from tho shore. The city of
Nagaaki covers plain at the end of the harbor, but
IL has ourown its area and the houses cluster up the
spurs Of the hills that sink into it, and the streets
places so steep to render steps necessary They
broad clean, and free from foul odors the people civil
and courteous and if the shops in the town do not afford
many interesting objects of speculation the baHaars,
which stocked with laquer china, &c., for the e1-
press benefit of foreigners, tempting that few
leave them without experiencing considerable drain
upon their resources. a.....
No was it decided that the presentation of the
yacht should take place at Jeddo than the Furious,
Retribution, Lee, and Emperor started for Smoda.
Heavy gales obliged all four ships in for shelter
at the bay of Nagasak and it not until the
ing Of the 10th that they sighted the lofty volcanic
mountains of Fusiyama. Towering like Etna to per-
feet cone with elevation of about III 900 feet above
the level of the sea- it first visible at distance of
upwards of 100 miles, its beautiful outline defined
sharp and clear, with the first gray tnts of morning
This celebrated mountain dear TO the Japanese, has
been created 10y him into household god Fusiyana
Is painted at the bottom of the delicate China cup from
which he sips his tea it is represented on the lacquer
bowl from which he eats his rice. He fans himself
with Fusyama he hands things to you on Fusyama.
1t the back of his looking glass is embroidered
the skirts Of his garments and is the background
of every japanese work of art or imagination Simoda
is a lovely but dangerous harbor. Its apparently
sheltered hooks and secluded you into their
embraces, and when the south wind blows fercely
you are dashed to atoms upon their ribs of iron The
earthquake which wrecked the Russian frgote Diana
changed the surface OF the bottom and there
good holding ground but it is fairy land to look upon,
and in calm weather the picture of epose and security
Here, too, there is goyosh bazaar and better dis
play of lacquer and china than at Nagasa but IL is
town OF no local Importance containing 600 or
1000 inhabitants and when under the treaty the
port is shut up will sink into its normal condition of
fishing village AT the head of the bay the American flag