New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-23

houses. They are constructed Win thick Wals Vi u
kind OF mud which mixed with straw takes in dry
ing good degree of hardness and stability. The
outside or finishing coat is hard finish Of plaster
made with oyster-shell lime, Of clear white color.
The roofs are handsomely TIED and the whole ap-
pearance Of one of these houses is exceedingly neat
Their white walls and extra hight for
they are q story and half or two stories
in hight-make them conspicuous objects
among the matched roofs, and brown walls OF the
humber oDe-storied houses. Experience proves
that they will endure the quicklyspent fires OF the
ordinary frame houses But then these houses OF
two stories incur another danger to which their
lOwly neighbOrs are less expOsed-the violence OF
earthquakes. II is not uncommon to see one OF
them propped up in consequence Of these we nad
touch of their quality at half past twelve on the
morning of the 9th inst. The shock, which lasted
less than minute, was go violent that the lnhipt-
ants fed into the streets. was aroused from a
deep sleep by the trembling and reeling OF the old
emple in which live. 1t has high posts and is
top.heavy with the weight of its tiled roof, so it
shook and groaned in every joint and timber The
papered screens ratified like the teeth of mitten-
ess boy of frosty winters morning. The beavlng
of the sick earth was over before had time to de-
eide whether TO fee or remain. The shock was
one and continuous in waye-like motion of in-
crease and diminution. This is the fifth earthquake
have noted in two months, all the Others being
slight At Yeddo the shock was of longer duration
and more violent.
have mentioned in previous letter that 1t was
manifest that the japanese Government were covert
ly obstructng trade So serious did this underhand
Influence become, that trade was greatly emoar-
raised for time. The representatives OF the for
ejgn governments earnestly protested against such
interference, particularly our own representative.
After the usual japanese denials and delays,
formal stipulation was drawn up and agreed to,
IL. lu
indirectly, interfere with legitimate trade; that
every product of the country might be bought and
exported other than those excepted by treaty.
True, this was only reitera0D Of the treaty, but
the Japanese Government had constantly violated
that treaty by forbddjng in edicts private to the
japanese the sale of coffee gold COINS certain klsds
of dried ish, and oil, except in certain limited
quantities. Stores had been closed, and native
merchants arrested and imprisoned, for legitimate
trade transactions. 1t was further agreed that
inasmuch az the Japanese Government could not,
or would not, issue itsbues 10 quantities sufficient
for trade that ten thousand tsbues per day should
be exchanged for foreign silver at the casom house
in Yokuhama, and foreign dollars should be stamped
with mint mark, so that they should become cur
rent equally with their own coin.
There has been recent change in the Emperor
Council. His Prime Miaister has resigned, as all
Japapese Ministers resign" on account oil III
healtbn The change cannot be for the worse TO
foreign interests, as the late Minister was uncom-
promisinely hostile ~ foreigners. Among all Tue
high officials at Yeddo not one is now in office who
was in Office when our treaty was negotiated by Mr..
Harris. Of those whom he knew personally IN that
transaction, not one is left. An Interpreter, even
the best of his kind, who was then favorite, has
lost place and power, and is now poor, degraded,
foIsaken old man.
In oden times the coast of Nippon had bad
reputation for storms and dangerous shores. Many
stout shp that sailed into these waters never came
back. The mariners of to-day, rejoicing IN their
successful vOyaging for many months, had begun TO
doubt whether this reputation was well founded.
Three successive shipwrecks followed close one upon
another have indicated Nipbon's ancient fame.
AT O'Clock in the night Of Dec. 16, within twenty
miles of Cape Idsu, the American bark Nympb,
Capt Price, was wrecked. The mate, three sea-
men, and two passengers undertook to go ashore 10
one of the boats which was soon lost in the SURF
The mate, Mr.. Owen, a New-EDgland man, was
drowned so also the three seamen and one Of the
passengers Mr.. Carl, late of Shanghai and former
" a CLERK in the Everett House, New-York The
other passenger swan safely 10 the Shore Suisse
quently all who manned tbe vessel were brought
safe TO land. The Nymph had no cargo, except
$50, GOO in specie, which was saved, together with
all the ships stores spars, sails, rigging, &c. The
japanese were unremittDg in their efforts to save
ALL and succeeded leaving the hull and masts only
TO be devoured by the sea The captain and crew
were Hospitality treated by the people, furnished
with food and shelter, aud sent forward in junk 10
Yokohama. "On no coast" says the captain,
"could have received more kindness" A few days
subsequently, and only forty miles distant from the
Nympb, the English ship Lady Inglis went on TO
rocky reef and settled so rapidly that all on board
took to the boats saving little beyond what they had
on their persons They were not quite so Hospitality
treated as the survivors of the Nymph. Though
furnished with food and shelter, they were re-
strained from leaving the beach. Thence they were
forwarded in an open boat to Yokohama, and were
seven days in the passage, exposed to the chilly
north winds. They felt the cold severely, partica-
larry the captains wife and her little babe OF less
than year. There was no loss of life on board
the ady Ingls, but all else was total loss. The
third wreck is yet unknown by name. 1t was seen
by the steamer A2of arrived three days since. 1t
happens unfortunately that just at this disastrous
time no foreign war steamer of any flag happens 10
be in port. The Powbatan is hourly expected. She
comes TO take the JapaIefe Commissioners TO the
United States. Despite all the preparation that is
making for their departure, am yet unconyinced
that this nation will keep their faith any bet
ter than before. The LIST OF February is near at
hand, and we shall soon know.
TIE cold weather increases in degree as the
Winter wears on. The vegetation is now thorough
y scared. Even the young turnips and next sea-
sons vines are frOstbittep. The plantations of
the broad beam which resembles in size and shape
the Lima beaD and the wheat fields are unscathed.
] he lowest point Of the mercury for the Winter,
thus far, war made on New Years morning. 1t fell
TO 900 Fahrenheit BY meteorological record for
December shows the following results. ThermOm-
eter standing in shade:
AyeTsse BoiiDs ten before sunIise deg
Ave ase nla ~ H. & Sss
LDsrs n9Ip bg t'mpeIeiplo oee DEG
tbe. rIoinf temperature hfst bsf Of he month deg