The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-09-09
Rifbmunh qispatrt.
FRIDAY MORNING.
MeIanse about the Japanese

FRIDAY MORN ING. SEPT. q, 1859
Melan:e about the Japanese.
letter from Shanghai, China, of June Ia.
written on board the Powhatan to the Journal
Of Commerce, contains some intei vsting in
formation about the Japanese, and their facil-
ity in mastering the English language, also
descriptive of their manners and habits. The
writer, it appears, kept a school at Nagasaki,
and he thus speaks of the department to-
wards him and towards one another of his
pupils:
JAPANESE BOYS AT SCHOOL.
"How gracefully they walked in How low
they bowed, all these coming forward to shake
hands What smiles always sat upon their
faces while they instantly sat down to the
table and vigorously commenced the studies
of the day! Nor was their courtesy to me
greater than to one another; for when one
came in later than the rest, they rose to re-
ceive him, while he held his head almost 10
the floor in return. Not one instance OF ois-
obedience or disrespect occurred; not one an
cry or discourteous word was uttered-not
one moments passion was lowered upon
single face. Sentiments OF mutual ahection
soon sprang up, which was strengthened 10
the close OF the school and made the last hour
truly painful"
In The course of his rambles with those
pupils, he discovered what looks like another
Ace1dama.
THE SITE OF THE OLD PRISON.
Through their aid succeeded III discovering
where the old prison had stood in which So
many Christians were ineareerateo, starved
and tortured, till they died. and more inter-
esting still, the very hill on which thousands
of martyrs had been put to death by burning,
by suffocation, by suspension by the heels
while half of the body was crowded Into
hole dug in the ground, by crucihxion, and
cutting the body into pieces, and then throw.
ing the whole into the bay over which the hill
hung.
Qs o,,l} nfi
them how to pronounce the letter /, which
they always sled into V. He adopted the fol-
lowing novel mode of communicating the true
meaning of the word organ, musical lnstru-
ment.
THE SMITHS FORGE.
How could the idea be communicated! l
could give the form of the Instrument, and put
my fingers upon the keys but where was the
Invisible agent which gave the sound was
profoundly perplexed, and all my attempts at
explanation by signs were in vain. At last l
remembered the blacksmiih's forge which
had seen in the city, and succeeded In making
them understand what l Misunderstanding on
an imaginary anvil, pulling at the bellows
handle, and putting my cheeks to expel the air.
Instantly they caught the idea OF the bellows.
Next located the imaginary bellows behind
the imaginary organ, putting man to blow
ing while l fingered the imaginary keys in
front, and with my voice struck out strains
which, if they did not quite equal those of
Orpheus, We're certainly as useful to the young
japanese who instantly caught the ideas, and
broke out in shouts of delightful admiration.
The patronymics of some of the boys might
be interest ting as samples OF japanese names
The following are few:
Kitamra Mothohitero Isabasi Skedsura
Swasay Yasiro, Wisimi Sodataro, Isoda kein-
oske, Nalabyash Eisyamshn, Nisi Zomida,
Namura Ganechiro, Iocayama MatanoJaw.
JAPANESE CHIROGRAPHY.
They had never written with quill, but
instantly used it with the utmost ease; but
from habit preferred the hair pencil univer-
sally in use by the japanese as we'll as the
Chinese. India ink was the only kind used
Their specimens of chirography are SO much
alike that it is hard to distinguish one from
another, while the round, manly hand could be
improved by no master.
The boys evinced much affection for their
teacher. as well as great aptitude in acquiring
the English language. They endeavored TO
make him prolong his stay among them; but,
finding they could not succeed. two of them
wrote in English (after only two months stu
dy of the language)-
"Master -. teacher of the English Ian
guage to me, has been very kind during his
stay here, therefore l will never forget his Ia
bors.'
"How long will the ship Powhatan tarry in
this Bay Your disciples will take sore
great contrition if you go 10 America, as you
are the fit master 10 give your forlorn diSci-
pies lessons
He showed the Lieutenant Governor a copy
of the Journal of Commemorative first Amer
lean paper ever read by Japanese" They
have no newspapers in Japan, but he found a
good printing establishment at Nagasaki hav-
ing one large machine press and two or three
small ones, with metallic Roman and Japan
ese type and good paper in abundance, and a
bindery in connection, the whole owned by the
Government. and all labor in composition in
press work and binding performed by the Ja-
panese without the least aid or supervision of
the Dutch. The idea of q Japanese newspaper
was new one, but struck the Governor and
Interpreters favorably. 1t is a question SIM
ply of time.
The school was conducted without any re-
ference to compensation, but the Governor
sent him some presents-rendered valuable by
being accompanied by bit OF
FISH SKIN
/ was sent handsome lacquered cabinet
and box, of small dimensions, but exquisite
workmanship, each tastefully enveloped in
white paper, with cord of gilt strands tied
around between which and the paper was in
serted piece Of dry fish skin, foot long and
an inch wide, which one might have thought
belonged to a fish caught off Cape Cod. This
queer article always accompanies letter from
a dignitary, and even from the Emperor, be-
ing designed to remind the recipient that as
the ancestors of the japanese were once poor
fishermen, the descendants, like them, should
be industrious and economical Such a Gus
tom is worthy of the best day of the Spartans.
For myself, shall value my bit of fsh skin
from the Governor of Nagasaki higher than
gold snuff box from the Queen of England.
a few Japanese words in flaming characters,
on strip of paper attached to the principal
article, made the contrast most singular, if
not indeed ludicrous.
THE SHOOTING AFFRAY IN CALIFORNIA
Further Particuiars.-The Marysville (Cal.)
Express gives turther particulars of the
shooting of w. T. Wilkins, in that State, on
the sth of August, by Judge May, whose
daughter he had seduced. 1t says:
wilkins is a candidate in Sutter county.
for the Assembly, and had made an appoint
ment to address the people of knights Ferry,
on Monday evening, and was ac ctually address,
ing them at the time the shooting took place
Judge May, knowing of his appointment, took
friend with him and repaired thiIher He
dld not, however, intend to approach wilkins
until after the conclusion of his speech; but
during his remarks, he referred to the affair
and pronounced it a base calumny, gotten up
by his enemies 10 defeat his election.
May, knowing his guilt and becoming ex-
asperated, advanced, presen ted his pistol at
him and fired, the ball taking effect in his side
just above the hip, and, ranging upwards,
prostrated him. May then shot second time,
but missed his mark, and, before he could fire
again, the pistol was wresied from him.
Mrs. Wilkins and her children were sent for
and conveyed, we believe, to the bloody scene
1t is said that the agony of this unfortunate
lady was great in the extreme at the an
nouncement Of the terrible event which had
occurred. Indeed, her misery had already
been complete before. Judge May brought his
daughter home to Yuba City, and there. we
are informed, she confessed her intimacy with
Wilkins, and made clean breast Of the whole
affair.
May is a very venerable looking old gentle
man, although having that within his eye
which indicates to the physiognomist that it
would not do to trespass on his rights too
far. He is a large, we'll built, and hale look
ing old man. He was once, we believe,
preacher of the Methodist persuasion, but has
latterly been practicing law in Camptonville,
Yuba City, Sutter county. He has all his life