The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-02-01
Japan AND IT'S. cUR1oslT1Es.

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l. JAPAN AND ITS cURIoslTIEs. Z
Mr Harris, the q. S. Consul toJapan, writes
some interesting letters home concerning that
country From one of these letters we take the
following 80: =
Japanese Ho"e6s and Domestic Manners. -
The houses of the japanese are of wood, and
never more than two stories high; they are COW
cred with thatch tiles; the front and ends arc
closed by wooden window sashes, covered with
paper, which give pleasant light in the interior,
and wooden shutters inclose the windows at
night. The interior is divided into rooms by
means of sliding partitions, made of wooden
frames, covered with paper These partitions can
be removed in few moments, and the whole house
thrown into one ROOM The floors are covered
with straw mats, some two inches thick; they are
soft and fine, and are kept exquisitely CLEAN
Neither chair, table, couch nor bedstead nor any
ornamental article is ever to be seen. The mat
serves as chair and table 10y day and as bed at
night. This description of house will apply to
ALL from the palace of the Emperor to the cot
tage of the peasant. In winter they are warmed
by charcoal brasiers. There is not chimney
nor pane of glass to be found in the whole En-
pire. .:.. -a,I :,
The glded columns supporting the fretted cell
ings and golden roofs of stately palaces, described
by the old writer's on Japan, are not to be found,
sand L am assured by the japanese that they meyer
had any existence out of the travellers Tales,
which relate such marvels about Japan.
The Japanese are eminently genial in their dis
positions, and there is cordiaty in their refined
politeness that convinces one Of their sincerity.
They are frugal in everything and utilitarian up
to the standard of good and wise old Jeremy
Bentham Food is abundant and cheap. The
beggars of Japan mostly of religious class,
and all are fat as seals Not japanese in fifty
ever taste of any animal food except fish. Sugar
is the only luxury, and can buy it here in Simoda
cheaper than you in New York. They are
the best fed, clad and lodged, and the least over
worked of any people on earth. God grant that
future generations may not have cause to regret
the hour [ arrived at Japan! The usual dress of
the japanese of rank is of silk; but on the occa-
sion of my audience the mobiles wore dresses
made of Il coarse yellow grass cloth. This, they
say, is to remind them of the poverty and frugalty
of their ancestors. / have never diamond,
pearl, or ornament of gold or silver worn by any
person in Japan.
Juaglers. -.
The jugglers very clever. One of them
made two butterflies of common thin paper He
first raised one Of them up in the air by the wind
of his fan, made it futter about his head, alight
on his finger, his and his face. He next set
the pair in motion, and it really wonderful to
see how natural the action They chased
each other through the air in circles sometimes
horizontal, and sometimes. vertieaE they lowered
over the water that was in China bowl and at
last alighted on the rim of the bowl. The top
spinners would produce sensation in New York.
For the amusement of your children, and espe-
cially for the amusement of the little lady who
indignant at seeing my likeness exposed in
the open air, I will describe the performance.
The exhibitor having spun top, placed it on
board, when it revolved with great rapidity and
IL. l. - ! L. -
side, where it remained without motion; he then
talked to the top and the top, and after making
sundry fourshes with his fan, he again placed it
upright on the board, and 10! it spun away as
nlerry ever. Another top, when lifted up by
the spindle, made . noise exactly like your locust
when held in the hand. A top declared to
be female, and having let it spin while, he
took it up, shook it, and down fell seven distinct
tops, all of which whrled merrly around. An
other changed into lantern, and after whirling
some time, the lamp in the lantern was spontane-
ously lighted: A piece of sewing thread about
five yards long was held extended by twopersons;
the exhibitor put top on this thread, and it ran
from end to the other, always uprig ht aud
constantly revolving. The Same feat was per-
formed on the edge Of sword; the top ran from
the hilt to the point and back again to the hit
4; l will describe only more feat. In the court
yard, where the exhibition took place, pole
some thirty feet high was planted in the ground
from the cross bar at the, top of the pole small
house was, suspended. (ike your marten. boxcs,)
and from the door of the houses piece of Irvine
hung down to the ground the exhibitor placed
a spinning top the palm of his left hand, and
seized the Irvine with his ri .ht; then, tossing the
top up in the, air, -he,dex erously cast turn of
the Irvine around the lower spindle, and the top
instantly began to ascend the Irvine, reached the
door, which it forced open entered the house, and
then quietly laid down to rest. In all this exh-
bition there was neither trick nor deception it
plain exhibition of skill.
THE ELECTION OF JUDGES BY THE PEOPLE,
The Macon Telegraph, of late date, contained
the followiR alaaguage in relation tosthe election
of Judges by the people: .,.,se. .~,: --n
eve are of the opinion that this will be the last
election Of Judges submitted to the people.
An effort will be made by many leading gentle
men of both political parties in the State at the
next session ofthe Legislature TO repeal the pres
ent law and give the election to the Legislature or
vest the power of appointment in the Governor,
subject to confirmation by the Senate.
The people are heartily sick aud tired of the
system of election of Judges by the people, and
we notice that in several Counties the Grand
Jurors have recommended the repeal of the pres
ent law, 81, -.r-.-. - 800 ~-
The VOTE OF THE North WEsT-In view
of the next Presidential election, the following