Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-12-02

tne question Jor erer! remarked ID
Harris. o, ,-....
Mr.. Harris has been twice to Yed,
since he was landed by the San Jacint
and remained some three months each tim
He speaks in most tlsttering terms of th
:. primitive simplicity of the Imperial habit
of the absence of everything like mayniI
cencs about his palace, and of the .gener
kindness and good feeling evinced by a
classes toward him. He mentioned tt
case of one old LADY in particular, VIII, wa
even now engaged in the motherly task {
making him some wadded silk shirts, TO pre-
tect him from the Winter. These acts ar
trivial, but they indicate very plainly tn
nature Of the Japanese. feeling toward
Americans. Even the Emperor has loade
him down with Kindness. When be wa
lying: sick st this place a special messenge
arrived daily from Yeddo, to ask after hi
fAesistr6s 10 bri.s au sssms present. ex
psessiye OF tie Interest which uaa felt 10
his recovery. The Imperial Doctor wa
also sent to attend upon him. Such thing
as, these have never before been known il
the history. of Japan. Our able Consul
General has a very ,poor, opinion about the
majority OF books which have been writer
about this country. "When,n he queries
"when will writer's learn to write only wha
they sect A man has no need of ina ginator
hsre-truth lie strong enough! We live in ,
world ofromance, simply because (referrine
to writer's in generaD because the truth i.
not in them!" He, however, speaks in the
highest terms of Commodore Perry's course
while out here, and mentioned many gooc
results which are now flowing from it. He
was man of great good judgment, and ac
complshed as much as any one could pos
sibly have done under the circumstances ,
He said "upon one occasion thought diff
ferently myself, but accepted his judgment
as more likely to be correct Through per.
sonal observatory than my owr."
Speaking Of Commodore Perry, l. asked
him how the Japanese had treated the ex.
pensive presents which that officer had pre-.
sented them, on the part of the Government
three or four years back.
"Well, know I'm going to surprise you
now }" he replied.
"You know that Commodore Perry gave
them, among other things, circular rail-
road, and engine, and tender, and a brass
howitzer-one Of the Dhalgren gums
They have large house built for the SAFE
keeping of this railroad, and every now and
then take it out, lay the track, get up
steam, and then away 60 dozen OF more
japanese engineers haze charge of cue, ythine;
and are never at loss in the discharge OF
their duty. suppose that they will soon
have track laid from Kanayawa to Yeddo,
but doubt il the railroad will pay in any
otherpart of Japan; the country is too bro
ken. AS for the 'beat howitzer,' they have
had ese-thpasaad sast exactly like its.and
mounted them in the sorts of their different
ports. And now here is something else
that will surpriEe you. Upon both Fourths
of July that have passed here. and once
upon Washngton's birthday. they fired a
salute of 81 guns with these howitzsrs. Mr..
Heuskins end myself attended, with the
American flag flying, and the people ex-
hibited the greatest good feeling and enthH-
siasm. One might have almost imagined
them Americans"
"What have they done with the electric
telegraph that was pl plesented theml"
"Lttle or nothing, think. But am not
pertain. They are making astonishing
headway, however, in the groundwork for
future intercourse with the world. Five or
six months since, they asked me, as great
favor, to be allowed to send minister to
the United States. MY dear Sirs,' replied,
'do not ask this as favor; IL is your right :.
Send minister, with as large suite as
you choose, and you may be certain of a
friendly reception" .-..f
"And would the United States furnish us
from here to the Isthmus!'
he asked.
"Cert1inly," I replied, "and treat you
with the creates: attention end kindness
during your whole stay" I'D
"Yes," remarked, laughingly. 81 can
imagine Japanese Minister and suite in
the hands of the New York City Fathers.
What a time they would have of it! How
every theater would throw open its doors
for them, and the croi1d they uoz'd d, ac, and
how japanese reserve and love of quiet
would be driven to desperation by the dtten-
hons with which they would be surrounded.
Are these officers aud princes rich enough
to make grand display, or would they
carry along with them their simple dress
and tastes!"
'"They would be just as you see them
now," he replied. 1--WE have no idea of the
sound common sense, and want of every
thing like pretens:on, peculiar to these
people. Take the Emperor himself, for in
stance. He Is, as you may suppose, very
rich, and yet am positive that his table
and clothing do not cost him $500 a year.
Why that sum would not more than pay for
The stsves .! Broadway dandy, with U.s.
You have doubtless seen the thick, soft
mating with which the floors of their
houses arc coveredl Well, the doors OF
the palace are covered in the same way and
this mating serves as the Emperor's bed, as
well as that of the poorest house serves as
the bed of his poorest subject. He stretches
himself out, with wooden pillow under
his head, and sleeps a sleep rarely granted
20 his brother Monarchs. To see Japan
cse thus sleeping. with his head abruptly
raised five or six inches, you would predict
stiff neck or future spinal affection as
general result; and ye, there is not more
healthy people living" ....
"What did the Emperor lock likc!" one
OF Us asked.
quite fine looking man. with a sof
voice and pleasant smi lc. suppose he ii
some thirty five years old. In fact knou
he il. far. as il is considered polite in JapaI