The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-01-23
JAPAN AND THE JAPANESE.

states Consul 70 Japan, recently deliver
ed in New York more than usually IL
teresting lecture on Japan and the jar
anese." Ii abouuded in information cor
corning people Just now arresting tn
marked attention of the Western nation.
We give below some facts which he sts
tied:
He said that the name and memory o
Commodore Perry were well aud affec
tlonately remembered 10 Japan, and to-
much credit cannot be awarded him fo
his triumphant success in opening th'
trade of that country to American enter
prise. The islands Of japan are scvera
hundred in number, aud generally fertilt
and healthy. The seaboard is stormy ant
inhospitibie, but there are very many
fine harbors TO be found, aud excellcnt
anchorage ground within. Terrific
storms and typhoons are common to the
waters Of Japan. The interior couutry
is abundantly watcred, and rich alIuvial
valleys, magnificent wood aud table lands
tmeet the eye on all sides. The camcllia
ljaponica is often seen growing to an alti.
tude of sixty feet; the acacia, the cam.
Iphot wood trees, the palm tree, the tall
cedars, the variety Of chrysanthemums
and rhododendrons, the orange, tho fg
and pomegraDate are on every hand, and
add intense beauty aud interest to-. the
Landscape. The summer nights are al.
ways refreshing on the coast. In the In
terror the weather in some places is ex.
ceedingly sultry. The population of the
country might be about 3S,000,000 Of
souls. Tue population Of Jeddo has de-
creased, owing principally TO the reversal
of the ancient decree By the Tycoon re-
quiring the great diamios to retain q
large representation Of their followers at
the national capital; and then there have
been some fearful fires, burning down
whole acres Of houses, and destroying an
immense number Of lives
The ceilings, partitions, doors and win
dows Of Japanese houses are made Of pa
per. The true japanese house is open
front aud rear, at the rear more particu.
larry, and parterres of the most exquisite
flowers are trained around the humblest
dwellings.
The Tycoon is the great temporal rul.
er Of Japan he is COMMANDMENTS Chiei
of the army aud navy; he governs the
treasury, coins all the current money OF
the realm, regulates the supreme, civil
and judicial business, and attends 70 In.
Vulnerable other matters. The accounts
We hear nov from Japan about tho Mika.
do being deprived Of his share in the du-
al governmcnt-the spiritual element
are difficult 10 rely upon, because japan
csc affairs arc mystery thrice mystiied,
aud impossible TO be fully aud clearly un-
dcrstood and appreciated by foreigners
There is good deal Of disscnsion among
the diamios on the subject Of trading
with the outside world. Some Of them
favor throwing open all the ports, while
there are others who would forever ad.
here to the old aud obstinate policy of
sealing up the entire seaboard. This
very feeling on this subject was The source
Of the troubles which sprung up in Japan
in 1868. A strong party insisted upon
the immediate closing up of all the ports
The buildings of the British Legation at
Jcddo, which had just been completed,
were burned down large numbers Of an
gry excited men swarmcd around those
ports where foreigners were congregated,
threatening TO trample in the dust, men,
women and children Of the barbarian
race, but the wise aud temperate action
of the Tycoon a!laycd the excitement and
restored order.
The distinctions in Japan between peo-
pic and officials are very great. Caste is
not tho same as that which is known in
India but the barrier is almost wholly
impossible between the common people
and the nobility. All persons aud officials
of rank wear two swords old men, veal
thy and retired merchants, wear one
sword. The short sword is the peculiar
weapon for defending personal honor
Ladies of rank alec carry small sword
or dagger for self-defensc or selfimmola-
tson. like their lords, who perform the
harikari (the happy dispatch) when GER
tain forms of disgrace overtake them.
The people are more dignifed, intelli-
gent, self-reliant, generous and hospitable
than any other Eastern or Indian people.
The fashions of the Japanese never
change fastidiousness in dress is not
prevalent, and nudity is not uncommon,
The transportation of burdens through
the interior is done By coolies, who ira
verse the Empire from ono end to the
other. The temples Of religion are, in
some instances, of great magnifcence, and
are situated amid scenes of the most ex-
quisite beauty. f afR
The ingenuity Of the Japanese gives
them claim to be called the yellow Yankees
of the East. For models Of GOODNESS and
patience they excel, and in politeness
they are ahead of the French. The masses
of the women are low in stature, and
more like slaves Of burden than help
meets of their lords Some of them in
the higher ranks are very finely formed,
and with teeth of pearly whiteness. The
The moment, however, that they marry,
their teeth are put in mournihg-dyed
blacker than the blackcst ebony. It is
livery likely custom intended to draw a
palpable distinction between the married
and unmarried, and thus running away
with another mans wife becomes a very
difficult and dangerous operation for a
known bachelor. Tobacco is smoked by
all classes-eveu by women. The COM
mon people are neither very rich nor very
poor. AS q nation, the Japanese have
made more progress in eight years than
the Chinese in fifty. The Chinese do not
understand the steam engine; the Japan
ese are quite at home at it. The Chinese