The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-01-13

ton now gives BlDle lessons w o"0 0'e,!
day, and we may yet do the same for
the others. We hope God may yet
make them lights in their country, still
shut to the gospel except in four or i've
ports. They are very gentlemanly, and
as polite as Frenchmen. This is char
acteristic of their people, with the ex'
ception of the Lonins, (outlaws,) and
Samouri, two.sworded retainers of the
Daimios (feudal lords, who think it right
to sheathe their keen blades in foreign
flesh whenever a convenient opportunity
offers. They are probably superior to
the Chinese in the mechanical arts. In
these they have learned something from
the Dutch, and they acquire such knowl.
edge with wonderful facility. In bronze
castings, in Chinaware, paper-of which
| send specimen of one kind-and
lacquer work, they surpass the Chinese.
No people equal them in paper manufac-
tory and in some kinds of glass. Their
paper is manufactured from the fibres of
trees and rice sizing. The japanese, as
people, are educated-a common edu-
cation being more general than among
many other countries called "civilized. :"
But the Chinese, also, are an educated
people. Again, the japanese excel the
Chinese in the treatment of the female
sex. AS a nation they are also more
cleanly. But with all this, Captain
Doane, who is a man of fine sense and
great experience, thinks the Chinese the
superior race Intellectually, especially
as regards the lower orders of each coun.
try. So far as our own observation goes,
the Chinese employed as walters on the
ship, display an unexpected quickness in
learning, and some have fine faces for
Asiatics. But more personal acquain-
tance with Japanese and Chinese will be
necessary before we can form any just
estimate of their relative capacities
AS regards Japan, shall not say any
thing now. We reach it Wednesday or
Thursday, and then pass through the
Inland Sea, between the islands of Nj
phon on the north, and Sikok and Kiusiu
on the south. Here anticipate treat,
as Mr.. Inslee and others declare the
scenery to be unsurpassed. Should 1
not mail this till reaching Shanghai, I
will speak of Japan as regards scenery,
people, and politics, now much confused !;
for We hope to visit DR.. Hepburn and
get our information confirmed or cor
rected.
A few days after leaving San Fran
cisco, l met with an interesting case
among the Chinese. In New York I pur-
chased Chinese Testament. This !
brought out and asked one if he could read
it. He opened it and exclaimed, "Yasu'
(Jesus) "Testament" -" Shanghai, u
where it was published. l spoke to him
of Jesus, and learned by interrogating
him that "his father give Chinamer
books in Hong Kong catechist,
suppose. He also has brother who il
a member of the Church, and an inter
prefer. He was with Mr.. R. Lackler, g
German missionary, and was baptized
He has Old and New Testaments, giver
him by Mr.. Lackler when he left. HI
says he reads one page every night.
trust he is one gem taken from heather
ism to be yet more polished for his Lord
crown.
: But the ship presents also another
view, and one equally calculated to stil
us to action. We have in the steerag'
over six hundred Chinese returning home
They frequently go home to spend New
Year, Tin February and almost all g
| in the steerage. Even merchant who's
note is good in San Francisco for $50, 900
/ went over thus-for they always saw
money, and love the company of Chinese
Now, in going forward among these, the.
, may be found in companies, squatted Of
| the floor, to the number of twenty o
thirty such groups, gambling. They us
5 kind of domino, and are so fond o
e this game of chance that they will los
1 all their money, and sometimes, l learn
e stake their wives and children, or eve
r themselves, upon the casting of fe'
, dice. And I see so much betting anon
: the other passengers that l am impresse
C with the fact that the religion of Chris
n only will save these persons from thi
d ruinous game. But, as if this were ne
enough, you enter the smoking-room, @
d stand at the door-too crowded for an
s one but Cinnamon to enter-and ther
o you find large crowd with their pipe
G smoking opium, or lying in stupor aftt
/, four or five pipefuls have been smoke'
:" They use the crude gum opium, in tn
j. way: 1t is held in a little box. The
e take wire, and, twisting it around, co
n lect small piece, about the size of
,, pea, on it.; then hold this over spir
vt lamp till it boils and swells, when the
n roll it, and re-burn and re-roll it, an