Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-05-23
VOL. 6.---NO. 80.

\ degrees. extend
| ing from the latitude of Florida to that of La
| brador. The Japanese enjoy an old and COM
| plicated, but not very high civilization. Some
/ of their mercantile establishments are of i'm
| mense extent. A man may buy piece of dry
| goods, and if, on taking it home q thousand
miles from the place of purchase, he is not sat
iStied with it, he may take ii into a branch es-
tabishment of the concern of which he pur-
chased, and receive his money back, deliver
ing up the cloth. Their religion forbds them
to eat any meat or even milk, butter or cheese.
One of their most singular customs is that of
suicide, which, under many circumstances, is
inexorably demanded by public opinion. 1t is
always affected by ripping-up the bowels, and
is called the hGrri-hdrri, or &c happy passage.o
The exclusion of foreigners from Japan is a
comparatively modern measure, having been
adopted in the early part of the 18th century
Gust about the time of the settlement of this
country from jealousy on the part of the gov
ernment towards the Portuguese and other
Christian missionaries.
On Tuesday the 18th inst, the japanese
reached Washington City, where they excite
great deal of interest. On Thursday the
Presidents reception took place, after which
they were to respond to other invitations.
Rooms have been fitted up in splendid style
for their occupation, at Wizards Hotel, in
ending thirty handsomely furnished bed cham
bers, twenty pariors, two dining rooms, kit
chen and laundry, for the use of their own SER
wants, bath rooms, etc., entirely separate from
the rest of the house. Provisions have also
been made of fowls, birds, fish, rice, vegeta-
bles, and profusion of sugar ornaments. Hot
tea is to be in readiness at all hours, and side
boards are supplied with champagne. For
smoking their little pipes, balcony has been
built. overlooking court yard, in which there
is fountain.
An immense amount of etiquette is involved
in the exact rank of these new comers, and the
Mst,fe
precedence of the Cabinet and the Senate, will
not, if they can avoid it, yield the pas to the
gentlemen with two swords.
The persons composing this embassy are re-
puted to be men of more than ordinary inteli-
gence. A correspondent in noticing their ar
rival, says -
ss 1t is fair to assume that they are of the
class of whom Solomon wrote when he enunci-
ated the aphorism, s' The wise mans eyes are
in his head.'' They will be men of observation,
and they cannot fail to observe the rapid pro-
gress which the United States have made in
commerce and its adjuncts. They are familiar
with our history, as Commodore Perry very
soon found in his intercourse with them. They
know that as an independent people we are but
two generations old, and seeing what we have
already accomplished, they cannot fail to see
that future is before US, ,in commerce and in
arts. that will make their treaty with us of value
to themselves, and contract which it viii be
10 theif interest 10 carry out enectuaiiy and IN
the most liberal spirit. And to impress the
embassy with this truth should be the great
aim of this country. OF course it is desirable
that they should know that the secret of our
prosperity is in the popular nature of our gov
ernment and institutions, but it is still moro
expedient, so far as our commercial, interests
are concerned, (and, practically, they are of the
first Importance to induce them to visit our
large cities, our larger seaports, and our manu.
featuring districts, and convince them that we
can supply what they need, and find a market
for what they produce.''
The embassy, it appears, was much aston
ished to learn that their expenses were to be
betrayed by the United States. They came
all prepared to pay their way, and with ample
funds to do so. This they regard as the hand
soonest compliment they have received.