The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-10-06
RAMBLES IN JAPAN.

vi lhe DTitSn squadron, Which recently
visited Japan, arc derived interesting par
ticulars Of that country not before publish
cd. Mr.. Tronson represents the country as
apa'adise Of llowers-,hc scent Of vioIcts,
lilly Of the valley, and the woodbinc per-
fumed air pconies, hawthorn, wild roses,
camclias, azaleas and rhododendrons
abound, and the notes Of the cuckoo, thrush
and godiinch are heard. The vegetables
prcschtcd To the English did not give Il
very exalted opinion of the japanese horli-
culture. A pile Of chickwecd was incIu-
ded, which the visitors declined to cat.
The Japanese prepared for the strangers
two pretty pleasure houses fronted with
pine bound in with strips of bamboo
The windows were Of paper, the ceilings
OF cedar, and walls wlhitcncl with lime
ma'lo from sea shells, anil polished smooth
rs marbe-the wooden pillars stained black
supported the roof. The cleanliness of the
houses and the industry and scrupuIous
care of the housewives, as well as their
hospitality, attracted our authors attention,
and obtained his commentator. The wn-
men are small, fair, graceful. though not
pretty --il'cir hair black, brushed away from
the forehead, and gathered in knot-,he
mcn coarse featured and Of the Mongninn
type. After marriag" the women black their
teeth with preparation Of iron. There was
Il general anxiety to learn Eng glsh and to
communicate japanese. Even among the
peasan,ry this linguistic trait was oLscrva.
bic.
The strangers notice the horses in the
streets laden with fish and charcoal. sThc
horses were short, stout, nearly all Of a
dark bay color, with black tails their feet
sl'od IN tick slippers made Of plated straw,
and fastened above to the retIocks with a
plat OF the same MATERIAL The coal from
The coal fields was sold in straw bags, it
burnt slowly and with dead flame.
The British were followed by spies in
all directions, but they report that the Ja-
pancsc are remarkably good tempered,
and though the strangers were carefully
watched, they were always well treated
The Japanese boatman wore a dress of
wool and silk, loose pair of trowsers, a
sword at the girde, copper ink horn and
pen holder, and q pipe and tobacco pouch.
They formed a striking contrast to the
Sorking men, who were specimens of the
pure Mongolian, and whose dress was
simple girdIe Of blue cotton, will, cross
piece attached, and pair Of footlcss stock
ings.
The British officers had their curiosity
much excited by the articles of manuf,c-
turc they observed, such as delicate work
inss in gold, silver and copper, paper, Of
curious texture, which is used rs cloth rs
well as for writing on-dresses of beau
tiful gauzclikc texture, resembling a mix
ture Of silk with alpacca-and candles
made from the berries Of the talIow plant.
Tie bazaar Of Japan exhibits series Of
native designs:
Mats or trays of cedar, beautifully lac
qucred, OF various patterns, some Of them
representing raised and gilded storks steal
ing from marsh to pounce on an unfor
tunate fisli, or tortoise vending his weary
way over hillock, whilst the moon peeps
through gilded cloud some of the trays
margined by wreatLs Of bamboo, or the
Pyrus, or Camellia Japonica. Fine egg
shell china ware, very thin and very ex.
pcnsive; thicker porcelain vases, inkslals,
Japan ink, and pencils. Mariners COM
passes of many sizes, with sun dials; the
Workmanship of these articles might vie
with the best produced by the manufac, ures
OF Birmingham. Small tinselled household
Josses, large trays, tobacco pipes and pouch
es,picture books, dolls and Japanese sandals,
were in abundance. The most singular
articles wero oiled paper coats, made from
the bark Of aspecies Of mulberry. Sheets
Of this paper are cut by pattern to the
shape Of a coat or cloak, stitched or gum
med together, oiled and painted-that is,
the outer layer, for it is double, black or
green; the inner layer or lining is merely
oiled. These coats are very durable so
long ms they are preserved from nails, sharp
stones, or branches Of trees; which rip
them up as so much tissue paper.
Mr.. Tronson gives the following amu--
sing description of a Japanese social tea
party:
Small square tables of lacquered ware,
about foot and half in height and six
inches square, were placed on the right
side Of the japanese these supported cups OF
tea, sweetmeats, cakes, and small lacquered
bowls of rice and fruit. Four married
ladies sat together on one side and near them