Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-31
NO.26.


In purchasing articles great pains should
be taken in examining that no indelicate
representations are upon them. The natu-
raj sense of modesty of the Japanese is
in striking variance with all our instlnc-
tive ideas. On the walls of their homes.
on their ornaments, and even common
household utensils, there are often draw
ings whose nature may not even be limited
at, but which would not be tolerated IN a
civilized country. A certain Bishop OF the
Church of England recently purchased q
number of curiosities in Japan without
scrutinizing them with sufficient care and
sent them home. They were stopped by
the Custom House authorities in London,
ON the score of indecency, to the amuse-
ment of his friends and his own intense
modification, and some wag published IN
the papers laughable account of the at
fair, under the heading of Clerical Absence
of Mind" The worst part of the joke was
that some of the rarest and most costly OF
the articles were intended as expressions
of regard to ladies in the diocese.
When Japanese lady appears upon the
street in moderate weather, it is with an
open vest which exposes part of the bosom.
Her feet and ankles are also bare, but are
always beautifully clean and white. In
winter leggins are worn up to the knee,
and heavy cloak is wrapped around the
body, and is surmounted by q hood like
an opera cloak, which covers the head
and leaves only portion of the face yisi
BILE. In this costume they look like the
hooded and cowled monks Of the middle
ages.
The quick intelligence and brig ght yivac-
ity of these people commanded our con-
slant admiration. They embrace the idea
with the rapidity OF lightning; the blood
bounds along their veins, and their intui-
tions are like an electric flash. In exam
lining any new thing their curiosity becomes
eagerness, they cannot rest until its points
are understood, and then their conclusions
are drawn instantly. There Is no trouble
in conversing with a Japanese, even if you
do not understand word of the language.
His quick appreciation reads your gestures
and signs at once, and scarcely has a
thought arisen in your mind but he is mas
ter of it. He takes your meaning before
you think it possible, and as soon as you
are aware of your own intention, you find
he has already compassed it. 1t is the
same in their intercourse with each
other-a glance, a few words rapidly ut
tered, and swift gesture, then . burst OF
laughter or merriment. When strangers
meet there are elaborate salutations, much
dignity for the time, but their mercurial
temperament will not admit of protracted
stolidity, and distant politeness soon gives
place to happy familiarity.
Young girls are SO quick and sprightly
in their movements that they scarce seem
to touch the earth as they bound along.
With them affection becomes passion,
Which is lavished upon its object with the
unchecked fervor and fiery glow of the
Orient. There are number Of Chinese
in the town of Yokohama, who have locat-
ed there within few years for business,
and there is ample opportunity to compare
their temperament with that of the Jap
anese. The former are slow of apprehen-
sion, stoical, apathetic, cold-blooded and
selfish. The Japanese, on the contary
are active, genial, and lively. The con-
versation is animated, and is interspersed
with sparkling sallies Of wit and repartee.
They have an intense appreciation of hu
NOR. Their admiration finds vent in their
constant CALCULATIONS of wonder and sur
prise, and their daily intercourse is mark
ed by unbounded liberality and hospitali-
| ty. They are of warm, passionate ma
ture, which would bespeak Southern
origin. Among the higher classes the
men eagerly resent an injury, and the
purple blood which suffuses the cheeks of
the women is deluge of fire. They bear
but little semblance to the Chinese to any
one familiar with the appearance of both
peoples their natural disposition is entirely
different and their spoken language en-
tirely dissimilar. The Chinese language
is used in Japan the same as the Latin is
with us, to embody technical terms, but is
understood only by the learned.