, 1860-07-20
4 japanese Dispatch Home.

A japanese Dispatch Home.
Although says the Philadelphia IHquir
cr, onr Washington correspondent has beer
unable thus far TO Obtain any copies Of tn,
Japanese dispatches to their government
a gentleman of this city has been fortunate
enough to obtain the sight Of a friendly let
ter of one of the Commissioners, TO afr~ac
quaiutance in Niphon. Under promise It
conceal the name of the writer, he has beer
authorized to publish it, aud has kindly
placed it in. our hands. We insert it be
low:
FRoM THE SACRED Cry OF WAsHNGToN.
Most Esteemed ITakodadi We have
been invited to VISIT next in order, the
great city Of Philadelphia, or, " the place
consecratcd to rraternal affection" the cap
tai Of the province which is the birthplace
Of the American Tycoon Our reception
we are informed, will lie attended with the
most august ceremonies that the city ever
offers to its most distinguished guests. The
Councimen, after examining our creden
lials, have decided to place MS on footing
with "the most favored" foreign Fire Com
| panies
The details Of our reception by the Ameri
can Tycoon you have in my former letter.
He is called, not Tycoon, but " President,
sometimes, however, by strange analogy
of language, "old coon" | at first thought
this an attempt to pronounce oar Japanese
phrase, but am assured that it is strictly
idiomatic, and implies astuteness and age.
It certainly seemed applicable to the head
Of the nation who received u.s.
We find it very difficult to comply with
the demands Of our sovereign, forbidding us
TO touch the women of this country Not
from any disposition on our part to disobey,
but from their desire to seize us by our
hands. They are apparently allowed here
the greatest freedom, bu it is only in APP
pearance. Every woman, married or sim
gle, is fastened in a cage Of bamboo or
flexible steel, extending from the waist to
the feet This seems TO be SO arranged as
to give them no uneasiness, but they are
very much ashamed of it, and conceal it
under so many coverings that it renders
their appearance quite ludicrous They are
unrestricted as TO the upper part of their
persons, which they are permitted to ex-
pose as much as they wish. This they
seem to avail themselves Of, and on all oc-
casions Of high ceremony wear low dresses.
I As lu ali aatratO-.s na!.oIs, tAey Sit Nteir
ears, and saspeUl TX lheA ornaments Of
gold and silver. They also paint and pow
der themselves, and after greasing theiI
hair, twist it into fantastic shapes, and
fasten it up with long pins and combs
Some of them would be fne-looking, if they
did not disfgure themselves by the hideous
and vulgar custom of wearing eyebrows,
and keeping their teeth white Be assured,
therefore, that wejare in no danger of be-
ing captivated their appearance we
feel nothing bpFregret that the barbarous
and absurd customs Of man should thus de-
stroy the charms which cultivation. and re-
finement would so much improve.
Nothing strikes us so much as the want
Of respect these barbarians show even to
their highest dignitaries they never hcsi.
tate to spit before them, aud it requires
considerable activity TO prevent being spat
upon at all times. The custom Of wearing
one sword, it seems, originated from this
cause, as it enables you to avoid with
greater facility the saliva Of you neighbor
Chewing tobacco is much priced, it seems,
from the saliva it produces, which is pre-
served, if possible, in handsome vases Of
porcelain, and placed in promiucnt posi-
tons None OF the inhabitants do rever.
ence by crawling on their bellies, except
after the election Of new Tycoon, when
those in search OF office come to the cen
tral city and perform that ceremony
Those who are fortunate enough to meet
with honor from the Tycoon seldom wall
uprighily during their whole term Of Office
The unfortunate applicants become at onc'
censors or spies npon the others, and thei
silence has TO be bought at a high price
| All public servants have their price, which
rises or falls according to the necessities o
the Tycoon. But shall reserve my rehcc
tions on political topics till have another
opportunity to address you. Until then
rest in peace.