The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-06
} A P A N
Fear of the Inauguration Of a
General Civil War.
Proposed Revision Of the Treaty Of
1866 ON Teas and Silks.
Voyage on the Inland Sea
Of Japan.

Of Japan.
Reception of the American Minister to China
in Observation-Disclosures Political CoinpIica-
tlon-Civil War Dreaded-Interestipg Trip
Through the Inland Sea-Its Beauties-
Japanese Hospitality.
NAdAsAKr, Sept. s, 1858.
The splendid new steamship Japan, OF the Pacific
Mail steamship Company, arrived in the port Of
Yokohama the 23d inst, having passengers his
Excellency J. Ross Browne minister OF the United
States to China) family and suite.
The harbor OF Yokohama Ia enlivened now by the
presence OF several English and French men of-war
one Portuguese, one Dutch, and the United States
nag Is flying from the Shenandoah piscataqua and
Oneida. The ram Stonewal remains in charge Of
the United States authorities and Is as much Of an
elephant on their hands as she would be in the hands
OF the Japanese; but Minister Van valkenburgh main
ans that 1t would be unsafe to foreign interests to
let the formidable ram pass into the hands OF the
japanese in their present irritable frame OF mind
against foreigners.
The Tycoon's government, 20 called, has virtually
ceased to exist that functonay having resigned all
authority to the Mikado, or supreme Emperor,
and has either shaved his head and become
priest or committed hari-karl and mingles with
the gods. In fact, 1t seems now, from all the
light that can be extracted from the mystery OF Jap
anese politics, that the Tycoon, Ziogoon or Koto
was never anything more than generalissimo of
the Japanese government, exercising q usurped
authority by sufrerance Of the spiritual and real
Emperor the Mikado, whom all revere as God
The Daimlos, or Independent princes, however,
seem to constitute the real government Of Japan as
each prince is petty sovereign In his own domains
holding the lands In perpetuty and the people
upda tha doI md rotof
OF these independent princes there are $50 to
400 and each prince holds his petty court and main
tains armed retlnue ready at any moment to sac
rice their lives for his rights honor. The officers
and adherents OF the Tycoon have all been dispensed
with and are returning from Jeddo to their native
places out Of employment and generally short OF
funds.
1t will be dincult for these pampered officials to
settle down quietly In the peaceful vocatlons OF life
and this combustble material scattered all over the
country in discomfort viii be easily ignited in civil
war. The Yacouins or two-sworded retainers of the
princes having been trained to arms, consider 1t
degradation to work, and will rather die than labor
In fact they do not seem to fear DEATH for they CON-
NIT hartkari with stocism equal to any heroes OF
history. 1t Is Q profound study In human nature
to see people IKE the Japanese inhabitng one OF
the most beautiful countries on the globe, enjoying
all that earth air and sea can give, surrounded by
relatives and friends, deliberately disemb0we them
name to their posterity. people who continually
practise this custom must have some principle Of
hatred Of the Yacouins or armed reiainers is very
strongly eytnced towards foreigners; and recent
occasion, when eleven Of them committed Darikari
IN expiration Tor the murder OF the same number Of
Frenehmen, one OF their number signazed his I'M
friendly sentiments by taking his released intesnes
IN MS own nanas and throwing them at the foreign
The foreign Legations are all withdrawn from
JeddO and are ut present located In Yokohama. The
located as they have chosen an eminence command
Ing the CITY and nd have regiment Of redcoats as
pying portion Of the city. The American Minister
has lame porter at the gate o. his residence armed
coon at Jeddo having gone out OF existence II win
be scarcely necessary Tor the foreign Ministers to
his court at Mako, somewhat nearer to Osaka than
- the harbor OF Yokohama. 1t has been rumored
Mikado as temporary sovereign in place Of tse
present ruler, who Is minor and who is represented
Peace scarcely be hoped for In Japan until
these complications are worked out In the crucible
OF civil wal, the feudal system broken up and the
laboring millions OF japan left TO enjoy and ex-
change the fruits Of their industry. From Yoke.
hama to Shanghai the Pacific Mail Steamship
Company have branch line, supplied at present
BY tine steamer costa Rico. II may be little ncon-
venlence to passenger from New York, holding a
through ticket Tor stateroom A. b. or O. to ind il &C.
cupied by q two-sworded Japanese, whose very
looks inspire poteness; but he will be amply COM
pensaed Tor sleeping FEW nights on deck by the
good traveller must never get out OF humor or he
Will not have any fun.
2Sth OF August, with over 500 Japanese passengers
bound for ports on the Inland Sea. One Dialnio,
with his wife, concubines and armed retainers and
the balance wounded soldiers, women, children
dogs and birds. Tie passage Of the Inland sea OF
Japan on the way from Yokohama to Shaghae oc-
cuplea about four days, and nowhere else on earth
or water can four days OF travel be passed In such
an ecstacy OF delight TO travellers wno have gone
up the Rhine. and crossed the Alps and meandered
Me and think you have done IT, there W III
be neither sdn peace nor ,, rest for you until
1.-THE empire OF ten thousand islands, is verified
here, al rising from the silver sea In verdure-cad
beauty and crowned on top with temples amid the
groves. The marine glasses soon brought into
play, and as the swift plying steamer whirls and
OF delight sway the passengers from end OF The
boat TO the other-now to look upon that perfect
cone rising from the sea- then upon that terrace
tlvated hillside with the mountain Srill trained 10
iced the vegetation for tue absorbing sun; upoa
happy looking village, far from the haunts or civil.
the picturesque huts Of some fshermen down
close 10 the sea SIDE, with their owners In
little shaops dancing merriy over the silver waves
We first stopped at the native port OF yoba and
landed some OF our passengers. The next day being
sunday we remained all day at hiogo or Kobe, the
stewart, the United states Consul Is doing good SER
vice Tor hia country and countrymen The town has
been laid out In lots, and will probably become one
OF the most important seaports In Japan on account
OF tts proximity 10 the most productive portions OF
the country. On the hillside ls fine temple dedi.
Gated to the moon, and handsome WATERFALL
usually visited by strangers. The harbor here has
been selected a. q site for q naval depot by the
Japanese goverlmeft, and Mr.. Grinnei Of New
York, who esme passenger with US, has been EN-
plo, ed by thcm 10 take charge OF Tvs construction
oicer OF their navy corresponding 10 our rank
admiral
Monday VIC stopped at Tomo TO land our DIamio
passenger hls beautiful ladies. Together with
Few friends we accepted his invitation 70 the hospi-
talities Of the place, as we were anxious to see
japanese town in ts primitive simplicity. We were
soon surrounded by rabbe whose curiosity seemed
unsuitable, hut they appeared harmless ana good
tured, the officers easily keeping tnem at distance
with a bamboo stick. In the rear OF the city we
came 10 vide street, with avenue OF trees lead.
ing TO tho temple and after ascending several stair.
ways OF granite, placed on the mountain sdc, pass
Ing through arches and between pillars guarded 10y