The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-05

the Governor off to the ship hogs fowls ducks &c,
present to the officers and men On the nth we
steamed up and left Nagasah for Simoda, from which
port my second Japan letter will be dated.
Arrived in this port this morning. "A gun Russian
frigate, the Admiras flag ship.
UNITED STATES STEAMER MISSISSIPPI
SIMoDA, JAPAN, July 81, 1858.
The Mississippi rired at Simoda-71e Habor-Precau
hons-Description the Pace-Beds for Trcrellers-A
Break,ater-The Currenc Visit 10 the Workshops and
observation-disclosures Coal md Process Of Cosling-
Plenty Of Coal 10 be had at Smoda--Co Harris Con-
s1a-His japanese Reside,sce-CouM Pasatin-His
Friendship for America
We arrived at this place the 2sd ins after plea
SAINT run Of four days from Nagasaki The rigae Pow
hatan arrived here two days after Soon after made
this harbor, japanese junk seen approaching US
with the Japan and American flags flying her she proved
TO be pilot boat Having taken pilo, on board, we
very found ourselves at anchor nearly opposite the
residence of Col Harris (our excellent Consul which is
in little place town called Suraki, directly opposite
the mouth OF the harbor, which shaped very much like
open fan. The town Of Smoda lies in blight at the
left Of the harbor Smoda in Japanese, means Lower
Geld and is in the principally of ldzoo and is nearly
the latitude Of North Carolina The population is esti
mated at twenty twenty five thousand the streets
narrow though regularly laid out and at their inter-
sections have gates which may be easily closed in the
event of any outbreak. In all the streets are placed
stone structures, surmounted by little roofs protecting
copies Of the laws and municipal regulations, so conspcu
ously posted that all who read. The streets
not SO clean those in Nagasaki. The houses, which
generally ornamentally succeed in light blue and
white diamond shapes, all story high, without
chimneys and they do not make neat and handsome
a show the houses of Nagasaki. There are several
temples in and near the place, dedicated to different
deites In the OF the town is lovely level valley
for up in vxh bpau elr
flows, Of the finest water ever tasted. The town is
surrounded either side by towering buhils which pro-
the same from the heavy blows in the winter months
These hills mostly thckly wooded ana present fine
appearance from the water, but nothing like those
of beautiful Nagasak. The soil around this harbor, to
Judge from appearances is not very good for cultivation
else the people TO indolent to cultivate the same
Here and there the eye will catch glimpse OF few
small patches which cultivated with rice, wheat
&c short distance from the town. across the bay,
little fishing village called Kakizak in which also they
have their temples Here is beautiful beach Of mile
in extent, with fine white shining sand, which the
waves are continually rolling The chief objects Of
ashore TO be the sintoo Buddhist TEN
are dedicated the deiies of the soldiers and mariners
All OF these temples located in the most picturesque
and elevated spots Attached to many Of these temples
the Keongwas or places where the weary traveller
for the night and get tea and other refreshments
from the attendant priests Near the principal temple
tower Of masonry, from which il hung large bell of
the delightful and tone that be imagined
This bell is rung toed by being struck by piece Of
wood, so attached TO fall Ike the tongue Of a bell.
This bell toed several times during the day and night
for what purpose could not learn other than it was a
part Of their worship As the deyotees enter these
pies they drop few pieces Of cash into curious shaped
hoy mall fOrt hat
roadside the neghboring rocks placed idols and
joshes, wrought out OF granite aud other substances.
In front Of them 10 be flower pots or jugs
tanning plants and flowers in front of of Srnoda
the harbor, high wall embankmeni has been
built up twenty feet high which intrcy protects the
town from the force Of the Between this wall and the
river OF ntermxed salt and fresh water. To
reach the town have this stream IN Hat bot
tom boat, which IS worked by gray headed Japanese
We wished hun but he shook his
head and pointing TO the mandars standing on each side
q the ferry Us 10 understand that he was not allow
ed to take ply from Beng across the river and fairly
in Simoda. surrounded by al least three
hundred % these people and boys and some women
anxious 10 catch GLIMPSE al rs. some would stare us
the face and make all sorts Of signs 10 their companions
respecting while the little naked children would set up
horrd scream as We passed near them and start on on
a the rate OF 240. No offered us any insult
att mrted modest in travels; and when
stopped the wells to take drink OF water they would
politely forward and hand US tin cup 10 drink out
Of, not wshng drink out Of the well buckets oar
buttons attracted considerable attention. and
forced 10 atty curiosity by cutting oil from
and giving them the little urchns who home
with them double quick time We visited the bszaars,
ami anything. the articles contained therein are TAR
superior TO those at Nagasaki. We could rot
make many purchase for the reason that they could not
change money. Their currency y entirely different
from that 81 the latter port For Mexican dollar they
give the value Of three o their dollars, Smoda dollar
being only thirty three cents Itcs or any part OF that
currency good for nothing in Simoda. The way We
have done l. 10 buy wanted of the comprc-
and shall settle 20 morrow with them In hard Mex
collars, the sight q which makes them grin. We
visited several Of the workshops of all trai aud We
found that all work carried IN entirely different
way from that our country. The carpenters and
cahn,,makefs all slt down 20 plane their stock.
We entered backsmths shop. Here found the
forge in blast, while two men were sitting down one on
each side cf an anvil harnmerur large piece
The with the slcdge hammer seemed TO sling II as
casy IN the sng posture smiths do staining.
whe they heat their iron. they hang 70 hook IA the
roof q tho establishment, over the nre, got ~ which
they az The same tim" cooking their rice. In this
shop no!c cor artificial forgc) dug Ia the ground,
III wh ~ a ctal arc. which kcft up by small
beovs running under TIE ground IN front Of this novel
forge ct small boy who was hard II work will both
LANDS making nails. Whle the bellows he kept IN motion
wts the toes q h. ieiio1 was anove SIGHT a. &c WIN
what rapaty w. kept ~ tie hast. hs t-s working Ike
lady fingers % piano During our stop IN tins port
very few og tie pcole have visited the shiTprohaby
~ the fact thai lhe cts o; Jeldo only ninety
mis distant and Tic manarns aud other oicai- kccpa
pretty sharp oCkUut tLc u an " their
trle,ts lave ~ doubt tia, 4 then could have had
incr own way should have been crowded with thom
a. we wcfe Il Nar..ak Nne II tie officers Of state
have called upon Efcsi beet have not been able
10 procure but fowls. e4Fs, vegetables and other articles
have bcen furnished 70 at fair prices but The luxury
81 ge ng shirt any other article washed seems o.
~ OFT ~ the question q japan. The coal that
il 10 be procured here said TO be of
cxceIlcn, quality. We have taken board two
hundred and Ifiy tons y the Il resembles the
old English camel coal very much Our ship has been
coaed BY The natives who Tor their days labor
the enormous ~ ten cents each Of currency
II IL tho cleanest lot II coal ever took on
board Oi the ship. being al ned aud siited before
beng brought OIL 70 All " officers aud
many of the men, have been Shore and have been
permitted 10 travel all The place unharmci. Two Of
the greatest evils 10 a sailor-ihat ~, and lewd
uCu not ur All
noble traits in the character of these people. Coal
be had in great abundance in this place and at
NagaSaki and owing ~ the dangers connected with
entering this harhur AMI te bal anchorage especially
In the winter months there y not The least doubt but
the latter port and ought BE- the proper for
coanC ships and Il would be much pleasanier place for
our Consul Va reside. Here he could find some Dutch
gentlemen O. associate with Situated he is, his
time must PASS very hcavy. having 10 associate
with 10 look at but japanese lie informed that be
had not received any letters from home for fourteen