The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-01
TIE CHINESE AND THE JAPANESE

A correspondent writing from Simoda Ausust a
states that Commodore lanalfs has been appoint
bearer of dispatches 10 convey the treaty and o
important documents which nh box two feet soua,.
by one foot deep 10 the city Of Washington mn
rigate Powhatan to sail from that port IN two ds,
for shanghae 10 convey Mr. Ttnal TO that port wle
lac Will take passage in the next Oriental mail steamer
for the United States overland route
The Shanghae correspondent of the London Times Tim,
contrasts the Japanese with the Chinese:
In their personal cleanliness the Japanese present
marked contrast 10 the Chinese no deformed olisct
meet the eye in the crowded streets cut.neous disease
seem almost unknown. In Nnngasak towards evening
large portion Of the male and female population might
be nnocently Tubing the corners OF the street.
In Jsddo they frequent large bathing establishments t
door of which is open TO the passeI-by and presents
curious spectacle especially If the inmates of both
sexes ingenuousy rush To II 10 gaze at him he rides
blushingly past Bat il would be possible 10 con
dense within the limits of letter the experiences and
observations of residence In the capital of an empire
about which the information at home is very scanty
which presents probably, greater variety of inter
estng and curious matter 10 the stranger than any
other part of the world Suffice il 10 be recorded as ur
general impression that in its climate its fertility and il,
picturesque beauty Japan Is not equalled by any country
on the face of the globe WHILE il to harmonils
With its surprising natural endowmens it il peopled by
race whose qualities OF the most anna bic and win
ming description and whose material prosperity hl,
been equalzed to insure happiness conientne
to all classes. We never SAW two Japanese quarrel
and beggas have yet to DO introduced with other uxu
res OF western ciyz lton Ii is not 10 be wondered at
that people rendered Independent by the resources Of
their country and the frugaty and absence OF luxur,
which stkingly characterize them should not have
experienced any great desire to establish nercoure
with other nations which, in all probability, would car
ny In its train greater evils than could be compensated
for by its incidental advantages Their excusvcness m
arisen not rs in China from assumption of superior.
ty over the rest of the world but from conviction that
the ellbeng and happiness Of the community would
not be increased by the introduction of foreign tastes and
mxures and that very propensity to initiate and adopt
the appliances of civilization foreign to the Chnanan
strongly developed in Japan that their rulers fore
that the changes being effected WILL in all mo.
liability some day other, revoutonze the country
an apprehension which need the Emperor but little
alarm; doubt, who has visited the two coun.
tries, that the Chinnan will still he navigating the ca
nails of his country in the crazy old unls OF his anccs
tors when the japanese is smming along his rivers IN
hgh-pressuie steamers. flying the country be-
hind locomotive. We have yet to discover what III,
exports of Japan may be beyond camphor wax and cop
per; but, from consideration OF the natural Tendencies
and 'soahead disposition of the people, there b.
little doubt that market will at future day exist
in these islands for The produce and manufactures of the
west OF sufficient magnitude and Importance to secure
ior them high place in the list OF Great Britans Gus
toners.