The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-04-27
NEW SERIES-NO. g27.

the open and frank manner in which they
have been treated at every turn. There has
been no desire to conceal anything from
them, but everything has been shown and
explained to them. Their curiosity has been
grati6ed, and they have encountered naught
but kindness and good will wherever they
have gone. Such conduct cannot but have
the happiest results. They have found that
all that Commodore Tatnall had promised
them, as to good will of our people towards
them, had been realized"
JAPANESE PECULIARITIEs.
The Japanese, during their stay at the
International Hotel, have exhibited great
many peculiarities, which may be interesting
to many readers, and we believe, have not
been told before. They have all shown
themselves very easily pleased, and exceed
ingly well bred. When asked to try some
dish new to them, they do so; if they like it,
they continue eating, expressing themselves
pleased if not, they taste no more, but never
dignifed, and command respect The in.
ferior officers never enter their apartments
without bowing, and the servants invariably
drop upon the knee.
They are all very light eaters, but they
take their meals very quickly; almost every
thing they do slowly, but eating with them
is a rapid operation. The subordinates eat
nothing but rice, but the dignitaries are
fond of sweetmeats, cakes, CONNECTIONS of all
kinds, and sauces. None of them eat any
meat, except that the dignitaries take q
little chicken, and none of them use either
milk or butter. They drink both tea and
coffee, and are no sooner through with their
meals than they 60 to smoking their wild
tobacco in small pipes.
They are all very apt at learning anything
The manner Of folding napkins artistically,
for instance which for any other species of
the genus homo would require an apprentice.
ship of day or two, the Japanese learn by
seeing it done once. Their powers Of imi~
tation are consequently very great, and for
any kind of manipulation apter scholars
could not possibly be anywhere found.
They learn to write the English letters in
a few minutes, and can copy anything they
see. The faculty of constructiveness, in
deed, seems to be natural development, as
also certain serene humor, which is indi-
Gated by their universally fat, plump, smiling
round faces. Another national character
istic seems to be their inquisitiveness.
There is hardly anything that escapes them.
About our government, laws, customs, man.
ufactures, country, and so on, they are
never done asking questions. At the
International they were very curious to
understand the relations between Mr..
Haley, the proprietor, and his employees;
what sort of government was established
there; how Mr.. Haley could have every
thing attended to so well, and how be could
exercise so complete control, unless he
was sort of prince or master. And, it is
almost unnecessary to add they were sur
prised at much which they learned in regard
to the American people; and strange will
be the accounts which they will carry home
of the great nation which has DO Princes
and no Emperor.
THE POLITICAL PARTIES OF JAPAN.
There are in Japan, as in most other ma
tions, two political parties-one of which
may be called the progressive party, the
other the conservative. This political divi-
sion extends to the nobility, and to the coun-
ellis of the Emperor. The progressive party
contends for liberal policy towards for
eigners, the opening of the principal ports
to foreign trade, and in short the abolition,
at least In a measure, of the ancient restric.
tive laws and customs. The conservative
party, on the other hand, contend for a
rigorous adhesion to the o.d rites and Gus
toms. The progressive party is constantly
increasing in numbers and is becoming
more powerful, and is destined to create an
entire change in the internal policy of that
Empire, unless foreign governments, by in.
discreet acts of their officials, should check
its progress by entering into open hostilities
with the nation. 1t has been reported that
the late Emperor of Japan committed sui
eide on account OF these political contests
and proposed innovations on the old regime.
This is incorrect; he died natural death.
In the ancient ritual of marriage the ring
was placed by the husband on the top Of the
thumb Of the left hand, with the words,
ain the name of the Father be then re-
moved it to the forefnger, adding, "and of
the Son." then to the middle finger, adding,
''and of the Holy Ghost" finally be left it
as now, on the fourth finger, with the closing
word, "Amen." n..-.s4f4 ...e-,
A LETTER from China says that the Chi
nese have succeeded, by the skill of their
cultivation in producing new and deli>
cious variety of tea. We suppose they have
accomplished this by crossing their rs. Y'
APRIL ..-sY r19 s.s.1r- ,.rs,.-
Signing, storming, singing, smiling,
With her many moods beguiling, 'J. .l
ADrll walks the waking earth.