The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-03
SECOND VISIT To JEDDo-ArrkNTioss of
THE xMrERoN.

In April again started for Jeddo, not
withstanding the strong remonstranccs OF
the physicians, aud | was 10 feeble that
was actually carried on board Of the steam
er like child. Happily no III effects fol-
lowed this imprudent but absolutely neces
ssry step Of mine.
The Emperor manifested the creates,
kindness, and the most marked solicitude
for my perfect restoration TO health. lie
daily sent me some very nice nflair that bad
been prepared in the palace. After about
u fortnigh, OF thes, kind attentions, during
which time was rapidly gaining strength
his Majesty sent the Prince OF Tamba to
me 10 urge the use Of certain remedy,
which the Prince described. II you are
curious to know what the nature of the
remedy was, you can turn to the second
verse OF tho first chapter OF the First Book
of Kings" ln justice to myself, permit me
to add that my health has so rapidly i'm.
proved that have net used the imperial
prescription The weather during April
and May was charming, and each day felt
its influence.
oBJEcrs OF INTEREsr--rENfLEs, oARDESs,
THEATRES, wREsTLERs AND JuGGLERs.
The Japanese pointed out various places
Of interest, such az temples. gardens, &c.
which ! visited with benefit 10 my health
I'D relaxation for my mind. The Seeby. or
theatres, Of Jeddo, nre three in number.
They are all in the northeast part OF the
city, aud only few yards distant ftolh cacir
other. intended to visit them, but my
friend, the Prince Of Sinano. earnestly re-
qucstcd me not TO do 80. lie said no Jap
anese OF rank could go there without being
disgraccd, that il an imperial officer should
bc seen there he would be dismissed the ser
vice. Ho added. you now stand as high
as any man in Japan why. then, should
you wish TO cast yourself down from the
honorable place you occupy 7" Feeling
convinced that his statements were correct,
aud not wishing to do anything that might
lessen my influence rs the representative OF
my country, did not go. The Japanese
have very lew amusements the principal
ones are wrestling, jugglers and top spin.
ners.
Nothing analogous to the Rougcn Of
Java, the Nauch girl Of Iodia. the Alme Of
Egypt, the silva OF Polynesia, or the Figu.
rante Of Paris il 10 be met here. A grand
match Of one hundred Of the crack wrcs,lcrs
Of Japan was got up for my amusement.
Turn TO Commodore Perry's work on ia
pan, page 43l. and you will find very good
llthograph Of this amusement. The descrip
tion be gives Of it is very correct. and cor
responds with what ] saw, with the excep-
,Ion tina, he says (page 433) that some Of
the wres,lers butted each other, and kept
up their brutal contest until their foreheads
were besmcared with blood" DC.
saw nothing Of that kind, although over
fifty matches were exhibited. The Japa-
n,se assured me that IL buttipg and blood
shed " was seen at X kanagawa. il was the
exception and not the rnlc.
The jugglers are very clever. One OF
them made two butterflies Of common thin
TAPER Ilc first raised one ol them up 10
The air by the wind OF his ian, made II Nat.
ter about his head. alght on his finger, bis
arm and his face lie next net the pair in
motion, and il was really wonderful To zee
how natural the action was. They chased
each other through the air in circles, some.
tmes horizontal and sometimes vertical !;
they hovered over tho water that was ia
china bowl, and At last lighted on the rim
OF the bowl.
The top spinners would produce n senSa-
ton IN New York. For the information Of
your children, and especially for the amuse-
ment Of the little lady who was 70 indignant
al seeing my likeness exposed In the open
air will describe the performance.
The exhibitor having spun a top, placed
il On board, where it reyoiyed with great
rapidl,y and steadiness he then took II up
AID lad 1t on its side, where il remained
wlthou, motion be then talked 10 the top
anj Il, the top; and, after making suDdry
fgarishe, with bis fan, be again placed It
upright ou the board. and 10 1t spun away
a. merrily ~ ever. Another top, when
hid up by the spindle, made noise ex-
sclly Ike your locust when held In the hand.
A top was declared 10 BE- q female. and
having let It spin awhile. be took IL up.
sloos 1t, aud down fell seven distinct tops.
al ol which wbrled merrily around. Ano-
tier suddenly changed iuto a iantrn. aud.
after whirling some time. the lamp 10 the
Ianiera was spob,aDeonsiy lighted. a piece
ol seribg thread sbou! five yards long, was
bed extended by two pers1ns the exhibitor
PIT top on this thread, ard !, ran from
one end 70 the other, always upright, sDd
constantly revolving. The same lea, was
p~lormed 90 the edge Of asword the top
ran from the hit TO tho poiu, and back
sga.n 70 The hit.
! will dsscribe only one more feat In
the court yard. wbers the exhibition took
pace. . pole some thirty fse, high wss
psnpd 10 the groubd from cross bar st
,be top Of the pols small hous YES sns
pended like your msr,sn boxe-) aod IRON
the dow Of the house 9 piece Of twine hung
do.p 70 the groood the exhibitor plsced
q .plnning TOP 90 the palm Of hi' Ish hand