Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-06-05
A Japanese Despatch Home. /.

| The Philadelphia Inquirer publishes the fol
lowing as despatch sent home by the Japanes
Emmbassy now here. If not genuine, it is Ger
tainly very clever:
From THE SACRED CRY OF WASHINGTON.
Most Esteemed Hakodadi We have beef
invited to visit next in order the great city O
Phila del phia, or ''the place consecrated to fra
ternal Affection" the capital of the PROVING.
which is the birth place of the American Ty
coon. Our reception, we are informed, will b.
attended with the most august ceremonies tina
the city ever offers to its most distinguished
guests. The Council men, after examining oul
credentials, have decided to place us on a foot
ing with 'sthe most favored foreign" Fire Com
panies.
All the military of the province, ordinarily en-
gagged in other ayocstions, will be in arms. This
will enable Us to report, from our own observa
this vast country. Do not fear that this large
display will induce US to act otherwise than be-
comes the dignity of our nation; for although
we have in our whole empire but 48O soldiers
they are tuly equal to maintain our security
armed with two swords and our entire devotion
There will be great exhibition OF ''squirts" up
on our arrival. These, it seems, are generally
prominent on such occasions, and have quite 9
notoriety here.
TIE details of our reception by the American
TycuOD, You have In my former letter. He is
called, not T, coon, but president :" sometimes
however, BY a strange analogy of language, "old
coon." l ar first thought this an attempt to
pronounce our japanese phrase, but am assured
that il is strictly ,diomatic, and implies astute-
ness and age. 1t certainly seemed applicable to
The head OF the nation who received Us.
We fiud it very difficult to comply with the
demands OF our sovereign, forbddlng US to touch
the women OF this country. Not from any dis
position on our part to disobey, but from their
desire to seize Us by our hands. They are, ap-
pare nty, allowed here the greatest freedom, but
it is only in appearance. Every woman, mar
ried or single, is fastened in 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 much ashamed
Of it, and conceal it under 80 many coverings
that il 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 occasions Of high
cereinoDy, wear very low dresses. AS in all
barbarons nations, they slit their ears and sus-
pend from them ornaments OF gold and silver
They also paint and powder themselves, and af-
ter greaslng their hair, twist it into fantastic
shapes and fasren it with long pins and combs.
Some of then would be fine looking, if they did
not disfgure themselves by tue hideous and vul-
gar custom of wearing eyebrows and keeping
their teeth white. Be assured, therefore, we
are IN no danger Of being caplivated by their ap
pearance; We feel nothing but regret that the
barbarous and absurd customs of man should
thus destroy the charms which cultivation and
refinement would so much improve.
Nvthing strikes US 50 mnch as the want o.
respect these barbarians show even to their high
est dignitaries; they never hesitate to spit be
fore them, and it requires considerable activity
to prevent being spat upon at all times. The
custom of wearing one sword, it seems, origna
Ted from this cause, rs it enables you to avoid
with great r facility the saliva of your neighbor
Chewing tobacco is much priced, it seems, from
the saliva 1t produces, which is preserved wheI
possible, in handsome vases OF porcelain, anG
placed in prominent positions. None of the in
habitants do reverence by crawling on their bel
lies, except after the election of new Tycoon
when those in search OF office come to the cen
rral city and perform that ceremony. Those
who are fortunate enough to meet with honor
from the Tycoon seldom walk uprightly during
the whole Term OF office. The unfortunate ap-
plicants become at once censOrs or spies upon
the others, and their silence has to be bought al
a high price. All public servants have theil
price, which rises or fall according to necessities
of the Tycoon. But | shall reserve my rehec-
tions ON political topics till have another op-
portunity to address you. Until then rest in