Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-11-18

American and English enterpriZe and perseyer-
auce, and Japan, like China, now welcomes and
shakes friendly hands with outside barbara
ans" The principal ports of Japan are thrown
open to foreign nations, though for the present
Europeans with the exception of the Minister at
Jeddo, are not allowed to travel into the interior.
The peculiar organization of the country
which is divided by three hundred and sixty
feudal princes into separate and almost indepen.
dent principalities, is assigned as the cause OF
the restriction.
The American and the British treaties are
upon the most advantageous terms; and the
American treaty, which was signed some three
weeks previous to the British, forms to great
extent the base of the treaty made by Lord El-
gin. The latter was formally signed by the six
Japanese Commissioners and the British Pleni-
potentiary on the 18th of July, at Jeddo.-
From the correspondence of the London papers,
we copy some fresh and interesting accounts Of
the wonderful country and people Ofthe hereto
fore jealously-closed Empire of Japan.
BAY OF OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Before entering the bay of Simoda, where
we arrived on the 10th, we saw a volcano in
feeble action. The country is pretty but the
town mean, and likely to become an important
trading port. There is breakwater to protect
the anchorage against the heavy rollers that
constantly set in. A large bazaar of lacquered
ware, superior to that at Nangasaki, tempted
many of the staff and others to invest spare
dollars. All the articles chosen were taken to
an Office at short distance, where some Gov
eminent officials were seated, who on ascertain
ing the price, charged percentage and weigh
ed our dollars against their current coin-itze-
beuS-three of these being equal to the dollar
Here we met Mr. Townsend Harris, the
| Consul General of the United States, and his
secretary, Mr.. Hewskin, who kindly offered his
services to Lord Elgin as an interpreter, which
with his knowledge of the language, was most
valuable
ARRIVAL AT JEDDO-SHPPING-REcEP
On the 18th we left for Jeddo, Mr.. Hews-
ken accompanying us, and on the same day
anchored about five miles off the capital of ia
pan. Several boats with Government ofic ais
| came on board very soon. No foreign ships
had ever before anchored so near the town, the
American and Russian ships having always re-
mained about fifteen miles off. Here we found
pad le-wheel steamer given by the Dutch to
tional GaPanese) fag-white, with a red ball
in the centre and white pendant There were
also two other very ugly ship rigged vessels,
built by themselves (guardshlps). The boats
that came off to US had the Imperial colors-
white with black trefoil leaves IN the centre,
Several officers of rank visited Lord Elgin, and
invited him to take up his residence ashore,
where communication would be more easy as
the distance to the slips was great and the
weather sometimes boisterous SO on the 18th
Lord Elgin and staff left the ships in the gun
boat Lee, and ships boats, with guard of hon.
or, DC, and ran close TO the landing place as
they could, where it was necessary to take to
the ships gigs, and after some little difficulty,
soon sumpunted by men-of-war's men, we
Landed. The officials were there to receive his
lordship and suite. Chairs (norimones) were
also in waiting, aud we were transported to our
new domicile. 1t was not sumptuous, but it
was clean, and newly matted and bedded for
our reception. A Bhuddist Temple and lotus
pond indicated it to be the residence of the
priests. A dinner was sent from the Emperor
somewhat similar to Chinese Tepast, but each
persons allowance was furnished on a separate
table
6" The Commissioners, six in number, having
had an interview with Lord Elgin at his resi-
dence respecting a treaty, his Lordship and staff,
with some officers, visited the Minister of For
eign Affairs at the Emperor's palace, where we
were received in the presence of several official
personages. Having been requested not to go
into the room with the same shoes that we then
wore, we put slippers over them. Pipes, sweet |
meats, DC, were provided in 4 separate room,
to which most OF the party were invited leaving |
Lord Elgin in conference with the Japanese |
Minister, after which we returned to our quar-
ters.
sCENERy-woMEN-TEA- -PREsENTs-JoLLIrY.
During our stay at Joddo we made excursions
into the country several miles. The scenery
was charming and the land highly cultivated
The houses and persons of the people are ex-
tremely clean; in the villages are bathing
houses. The people exhibited much curiosity,
but no incivility. At a spot where there is a
pretty waterfall and stream tea and refreshments
may be had, served by young women who are
far from ugly; being unmarried, they exhibited
a set of beautifully white teeth and black-arehed
eyebrows; some whiten their faces, neck, and
upper part OF the chest by means of chalk. The
appearance of the married women with black
ened teeth and their eyebrows removed was in
ungainly contrast to them. At an entertain-
ment there was introduced strong, frothy tea,
made by pulverizing teaspoonful of very su-
Perior kind and whipping 1t into frothy bev-
|
remains Of former served sweetmeats, &e., were
served a second time, the names of the parties :
having been placed on the boxes containing
hem. The servants who brought IL these things
sach wore a sword. made low bow on placing
hem before US, and retired placing the palms of J
heir hands on the upper part of their thighs
Presents of silk, laequer-ware, porcelain, DC, :
we're made to the different persons of the en- /
oassy and officers of the ships. Among the
ormer were some some pieces of silk that may :
'nly be worn by the Japanese mobiles, no inferi-
II person being allowed to buy or possess it; it
S said to be made by banisbed mobiles. 1t is
lot better in quality or handsomer than Chinese
ilk. The easy, affable, kind manner of the ia
oanese officials, as compared with the self-con- 4
cited airs of the Chinese, is remarkable, and
impressed US greatly in their favor. They were
oily, too; drinking to the Queen, the Emperor,
nd the Commissioners in champagne as if they
iked it, with hip hip, hoorah They express I
d their feelings of satisfaction at the visit of the
and hoped that one of them as
ambassador from the Court of Japan might meet
i'm in England, Aoriama being the Secretary =
cEs-NoAT-eARDENs.
"Jeddo, without exception, is one of the
nest cities in the world streets broad and
ood, and the Castle, which includes nearly the
hole centre of the town, built on slight emf I
euce. There are three walls or Enclosures i
,und this quarter. Within the centre the Ty- g
BON Emperor and heir apparent live.
The houses of the princes and mobiles are pal F.
,es, and you may imagine the size when some y,
,ntain 10000 followers. They are built in F
lgular order, forming wide streets some forty ca
ards broad, kept in perfect order; an immense -,
,urt-yard with trees aud gardens forms the l.. T.
.ntre of each enclosure, in the midst of which F.
the house of the owner the houses contain :
g the followers, servants, stables, &C., form
lis large enclosure. They are built of one
1iform shape. The gateways leading to the L
hn.,.I =