Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-06-29
NO. 1.6.

NO, 16.
portable grove was about $500. The growth
Of trees is sometimes 50 stimulated that the
branches stretch to great distance from tho
trunk, and are supported on props.
MANUFACTURES.
The Japanese work admirably well in iron;
silver, gold, and all metals. Manufactures
ore carried on in every part OF the country,
and some of them are brought to such de-
gree Of perfection as to surpass those of any
other part of the world. They work with
great skill in sotcos, mixture of gold and
copper, which they color blue or black in a
manner unknown elsewhere. Their silk and
cotton goods are well made, and they UNDER
stand the art of making glass III all its
branches. Their steel swords are unap-
proachable in quality, and they,make excellent
mirrors of steel. Paper is made from tho
bark of the mulberry tree in great abundance,
and Of remarkable strength; it is used not
only writingand printing, and forwrapping
goods, but for handkerchiefs and NAPKINS
They are skillful in carving and die-sinking,
and in the casting of metal statues, which arc
extensively used for idols Their iron works,
tobacco factories, brewcries, distillcrics, and
erManufacturing establishments, arc fire.
quently on large scale, meploying hundreds
Of workmen. The cities of Mako, Yedd6,
and Osaka Are tho great seats Of manufac-
lures. At Mako are made damasks, satins,
tafletas, and other silk fabrics Of every kind,
lacquered articles, caps, scarfs, screens, fans,
pins, bow-strings, paints, tca-boxes, grind
stones, and porcelain, and carthenware; at
Osaka, cotton goods and iron-warc; and ut
Ycddo nearly every species OF manufacture is
carried on. The people show tho greatest
eagerncss and aptitude for initiating all kinds
of European manufactures, and they are al
ready well supplied with microscopes, tcle.
scopes, clocks, watches, knives, spoons, &C.,
of native make from European models, and
sold at very cheap rate. Iron and brass
cannon in the European style are made, and
the bomb-shells with the latest improvements.
Colts revolvers and Sharp's rifles arc also
made by native workmen, and ut Nagaski
works have been established for the produc-
ton of steam engines without European assis-
tance, and scrcw-steamcr built, which has
been successfully navigated from Nagaski to
Yeddo in nine days, entirely by native sea-
men and engineers.
JAPANESE LITERATURE.
Paper began to be used in Japan as early
as the seventh century, and printing from
engraved wooden blocks in the Chinese man
ner was introduced about A. d. 1900. Print
ers ard booksellers are numerous, and keep
the market well supplied with cheap books,
many of them profusely illustrated with
wood-cuts. Like the Chinese, they print
only on one side of the paper. Mako is the
chief seat of the book trade, and is eminently
literary city. The people throughout ths
empire are fond of reading, and education is
universal Public schools are maintained by
tax for the purpose; and by a law which is
| strictly enforced, every child must be sent to
school and be instructed in reading, writing,
and some knowledge of the history Of tho
country. The literature Of Japan comprises
works Of all kinds, histories, geographical,
and other scientific trcatises' books on nation
al history, voyages and travels, moral philos-
ophy, dramas, romanccs poems, dictionaries
and cyclopedias. A collection Of the works
of their poets, accompanied by short memoirs,
has been made, and almost every Japanese is
familiar with the best passages Of the princi-
pal poets, and fond Of quoting them in con-
| versation. Many Of their novels are said to
be interesting, and to exhibit higher imag-
ination and more truth to nature than Is found
in the fctions Of other oriental nations
Their dramas, of which the people are pas.
sionately fond, are generally founded on ma
tional history or tradition, or exploits, lives,
and adventures of Japanese heroes and gods.
Some Of them are designed to illustrate and
enforce moral precepts. Their general ten
dency is said to be elevating, patriotic, and
decorous, though some of them are strongly
tainted with the national passion for revenge,
and have horrible exhibitions of cruel pun
i s,k, Sl<,J
and the scene shifts from country to country
and flies over great spaces Of time without
much regard to probability. Only two actors
are upon the stage at the Same time, and the
female parts are performed by boys, as was
formerly the case in Europe. The actor is
most esteemed who can most frequently
change parts in the same piece, and tho lead
ing actors receive very high pay. In general,
however, the profession is held in great con-
tempt, and the actors have the reputation Of
being the most licentious and degraded class
Of the population.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION.
Every japanese head Of family is person.
ally responsible for the conduct Of his chill
dren, servants, and guests, and the whole pop
ulation is divided into groups Of Ave Esmilies,
every member Of which is responsible for
l tuc COIluuCt VI tie OLfleTS. NO OoJ4Q8 COaNgc
his residence without obtaining certificate Of
good conduct from the ncghbors he is about
to leave, and permission from those among
whom he wishes to 60. The result Of this
organization is that a criminal has no hiding
place, and consequently very few robbcries,
i or other crimes are committed. The Japan
Csc people are divided into eight hereditary
classes, and each person commonly remains
through life in the class in which he is born,
though sometimes men are exalted into high
or classes by ability or force Of character
4 These classes are, !, the vassal princes; 2,
the mobiles under the rank Of princes, from
whom the officers Of State, governors, gene.
rails, and other high officials, are selected; 3,
the priests Of all sects 4, the solliers 3,
physicians, government clerks, sMihes and
subordinate employees a ~ 0tGnneaf
generally; 6, the princitst xne> nts ana
shopkecpers; Z, retail dealers ahope
keepers, mechanics arises And G1kls; B,
the peasantry and day laborers Of all kinds,
4 The first four classes constitute the higher
orders Of Japanese society, and have the priv
ilcge Of carrying two swords and Of wearing
l - 4 xAf -.