The New York herald., 1868-12-17

Visit 60 Jeddo-Customs Of the Japanese-Sor.
0nation OF the Emperor-Loss % nr"isn
War Steamer-Financial Dihicuiues'

We nroceeded nm the 9th instant up to Jeddo-
which the Mikado has announced as MS future east
ern capital, Koto being the western-having our
Minister General van valkenburgh, on board; also
General Branker, Commander-ln-Chiei OF the British
forces in China and Japan, together with two OF his
brother officers and their lady friends. After two
hours steamng we arrived before the city, where
number of the Mlkado's war vessels lay at anchor.
Approaching Jedd0 the land is low aud level OF
excellent quality and well under cultivation Built
out into the bay about one mile In advance Cf the city
suburb which fronts thereon, called Shinagawa,
there stretches nearly semicrcu Gordon OF large
eq disant sextagOna batteries, five number, each
mounting about forty guns OF heavy callbre be-
tween either OF which you obliged to
pass TO enter the main river which flows through
the city. These forts cover an extent OF about five
miles and serve double purpose, primarily in de-
tending the river and city from invasion, and Sec
ondly In acting as q breakwatere against the wild
waves play during the frequent storms prevalent
here. They were built by French engineers for the
ieposed Tycoon, and with works OF similar char
acter at Yokohama represent the French claim OF
Indebtedness against the japanese government.
Beyond these the city extends along the bay for q
distance Of some twenty miles by about fifteen miles
inland. The streets are generally narrow, i'll kept,
without sidewalks and In the main laid out at right
angles, the principal street. which Is parallel to the
bay, traversing the entire length OF the city. All
persons landing were accompanied by japanese
guard, noteas uolens, until their departure The
populace were not demonstrative, although quite
friendly and scrutinizng in their demeanor. This
may result from the port not being yet formally
opened to commerce, to accomplish which and
locate the foreign concession l understand
to be the object Of the present visit OF the various
ministers. The temporary abodes OF the American,
English and French Ministers are large temples,
assigned them by the princes whose property they
are. Near the principal landing is situated the IN
ternational Symposium HOTEL now In process of
competitions place Of primary necessity on the
opening Of port IN this empire. 1t is spacious
and elegant structure, two stories in height, rising
from which Is large and elegant openwork spire
surmouned by vane. is in the Eastern style OF
chitecuTe OF about 200 feet IN length and surrounded
by balconies. From the second story rises wind
ing staircase ascending into the spre, from which
brds-eye view Of the city can be obtained, dotted
with its palaces and temples, which are the principal
objects Of attraction The grounds of the hotel
fanclfully laid out in shell and graveled walks,
garden plots and fish ponds. There are here num-
Der Of tea houses attached to the hotel for the accom-
mediation Of its guests and visitors In this vicinity
the foreign concession is to be located.
The only mode Of travel here is either on h0rseba ok
or that adopted by the upper classes Of natives In
7aOauinaon kind Of basket sedan chair, carried by
coolies. None of the lower orders of Japanese or Of
those under prescribed rank allowed under any
circumstances to mount a horse, that animal being
held sacred TO the upper classes Of society," and IN
some instances am informed made an object OF
worship IN the flesh within the temples. This law
native servant Of a resident European physician
there for this offence, for which he was subjected to
the bastlnadO by the authorities Field work Is per-
formed by oxen. popularity OF this people Is
their obgng all persons, whether entering temples,
public Japanese theatres or the lOwest private
dwellings, to dvest themselves OF their shoes previ-
GUS to admission which are returned to the parties
IN M te aec case Of e g beres small ee
demanded. A passing q ance at this ,ity-whch II
would require months to see In detail-exhbs 1t to
be exact counterpart to that Of Osaka being smi
larly intersected by rivers and canals, spanned by
numerous wooden bridges for the continuity Of Its
streets. The dwellings and stores unworthy spe
cial notice, being Of the same general character
two story frame structures having portcoes in front.
In the centre OF Jeddo stands the Tycoon's castle
and grounds forming vast fortlhcaton. 1t is sur
rounded BY three massive granite walls about forty
ings in which are placed diagonaliy. The gates are
pOnder0us wooden ones, ten inches In thickness,
FIRMLY bolted together and huna on immense brass
over which bridges are thrown, the inner wall ar
resting the progress OF the visitor as you are here
informed by your accompanying guard, "No can
seen The enclosure covers an area Of about five
square miles. The castle was invisible from inter-
Vening groves the ground being one vast plane.
The enclosures are exqaisitey laid out In gravened
walks gardens, arbors, miniature lakes and rustic
bridges. within these walls are situated the resi-
dences Of the Daimios and their retainers. who are
absent residing here only six months In the year.
But few troops were to be seen throughout the city.
Jeddo Is more an imperial capital than q business
city, and q veriab,e Rus IN Uroe, being checkered
with squares Of dwellings and business blocks, elmer
OF which almost invariably alternates with parks.
This disposition OF the city Is attributed to desire
to limit connagrauons. The population Is fuctuat-
Ing and is variously estimated at from 1000 600 to
3, 500 900, the Inhabitants being somewhat n0madic
In chacrcter.
temple which l visited had large display Of
orio aIs
spacious altar, near which stood statue In bronze
OF the .'human form dvine,n the features OF which
were almost oblterated by the constant passing over
them OF hands Of the faithful either healing
or exercising devotiona manipulation. In front OF
the altar stood large trough-lSe afiar into which
was almost filed 10 overnowing with casl anu cop
per coins. The interior OF the building was prouse
In gr0tesque carvings OF superior order OF work
mansnip, the grounds being tastefuliy laid out IN
walks and flower beds and adorned with slatuary IN
bronze. Satsuma's palace here has been burned
down by the Nortnern troops, in re. aalion ior a
similar act committed on the Tycoon's paiace at
Osaka by the Southerners.
Jeddo, l believe, is capable OF being made an ex-
cellen port oil entry, as vessels OF medium tonnage
can be reighted here really, although there are at
present no facilities for tnat purpose The ciey IS
celebrated as the great manufacturing depot OF
lacker, ivory, cutlery and crystai waresas Is osaka
for Its br0nzes-au the stores were proiuse In Their
display OF these articles IN every conceivable design
OF cuffOs. there were aso splendid SILK stores,
exhibiting tempting display OF tue manufacture OF
that article In novel and elegant designs. In the
cities Of Japan IL cannot be sad that tae lignt oil
other days mas faded, as taow candles and Oh are
the Illuminating materials IN use, Our composition
candles being highly prlzed by the lina itants The
manufacture OF gas IL either unknown or d.scounte-
nanced as are railroad and telegraph enterprises.
Tie country contains numerous mines, prouuc-
ing cCai oil an inferior quality.
After remaining eight days at Jeddo our Minister
ana party returned on board and we steamed down
to our anchorage here the 1stn inst. The following
is the summary Tor tue month IRON the Japan G,s-
zeue &c.:-
on the 10Th ut the Pacific mail steamship New
York got aground when proceeding up TO seudo, ana
ON the following day tue ram Stoaewail, wiIicn we
supplied with a teen inch nswser got under steam
80 low her oil, which she was unable 10 accOiI iIish,
the lawser having parted. The New ork was eaa-
blea to get OF the lst inst. unaIded, without sus
tanning any injury, and proceeded on her yOl ase.
on the ID INST fiagship the Plseataqua, Admiral
Rowan, lett for Hong Aong wa Hiogo, OSAKA aud
Nagasaki
From her Majesty's steamer Slaney we have the
Information tat NeeR9ta, which the aikad0s troops
had attac ked ON the 10th OF september, was set ON
fire by The Northern troops, 800 IN number previous
~ their evacuation OF the place. me karoo OF
SenduI cut down as he passed inroug the
hi