New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-10-15
1Homeward progress or the Japanese.

Al correspondent Of the New York Times, writ
ing from ON beard the United States frigate
| Niagara, at Loando, Africa, under the date of
| August 4th, gives some particulars Of the home
ward progress of the japanese Embassy:
Not long after we were out, the captain learned
I there was great quantity of lucifer matches
among their baggage and these articles are strict
" prohibited on board He had an interview, and
told them how dangerous it was to allow it, and
made such representations as induced them to
pitch them all overheard but we are not yet con-
vinced that they all disappeared, as mysterious
lights are sometimes seen in some OF their rooms,
which constantly keep the sentinelson the alert.
For several days have noticed many Of the
Japanese using their favorite and universal remedy
for the prevention and cure of disease, by burn
ing, with the moxa, the finer woolly part Of the
leaves of the wufmWood, the coarser kind being
used for ordinary tnder. Itis procured by rubbing
and beating the leaves till the green part separates,
and nothing remains but the wool, which Is sorted
into two kinds. When applied, IT is made up in
little cones, and these being placed on the parts
selected for the operation, they set fire TO from
the top; they burn very slowly, leaving scar or
blister the skin, which, some time after, breaks
and discharges. g.g555=5
full, except when repeated in the same place, as it
sometimes is or when applied to certain tender
parts. Our physicians witnessed some OF the ope-
rations with much interest. 1t Is said to be very
efcacious in pleurisies toothaehe, gout and rheu-
matism. They have very elaborate treatises as to
the effect produced by the moxa, according to the
part to which it is applied; and its application
| forms q science and profession by itself. The
ashy parts, especially OF the back, are ordinarily
| selected; and every person, both young and old,
male and female, submit to the operation, am in
| formed, at least once in six months.
Another Japanese invention, practced chiefly in
q violent attack of collie, is deapttfctHre is
sticking with needle. According to their theory,
the collie is caused by wind, and to let it out
several small holes fnne being fayorite numher)
are made with needles prepared for the purpose,
generally in the muscles of the stomach or abb
domen, though other deshy parts are chosen for
the operation These needles are as fine as hair,
and are made of gold and silver, and sometimes Of
steel, by persons who profess particular skill in
tempering them. The bony parts nerves and
blood vessels are. carefully avoided, and while
they are passed through the skin and muscles,
they are twirled about in a peculiar manner.
There are many practitioners who conine them
selves entirely to this practice
The American coalship Sebastian Cabot, log
days from Philadelphia (supposed te have been
lostl has Just arrived. We have her alongside.
and are taking from her supply Of coal. The
Ambassadors have had invitations from the differ
ent captains of many of these vessels to visit their
ships but they declined them all. and receive no
visitors Except some of our naval otlGers@. They
desire to remain i0cog. and assign as reason that
they have no treaty with these people. They have
purchased several monkeys and parrots, whichthey
keep in their apartments for amusement. A puf-
chase of one thousand oranges was made for them
few days ago, and they presented the fruit to the
crew. 1t is source of constant worry with them
that they are not allowed to pay for their own sup
plies, as money was appropriated by their Governs
ment for this purpose.
Several special interviews have been held with
the captain this subject, but he will not consent
to their doing 1t. assigning areason that it would
be contrary to the Instructions of his Government;
they then wanted to split the difference and pay
for one-half, but without effect They haye how
ever, purchased privately nearly as much every
day as the steward of their mess has done. 1t
might be inferred from this that they were not pro-
yided for; but they have ain abundance of every
thing at all times. The only question is how to
get rid of their money, for suppose they expect
10 be eensured when they arrive home for not
spending it.