Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-07-26
g.s 6tXETTE& VIRGINIA ADVERTISER,


Rev. DIR. J. ?. Newman, late Chaplain Of
the United States Senate, and pastor of the
N,yorolitan NJ. +. Church, Washington,
started about two months since to travel around
the world Beginning at New York, he
and Mrs. Newman went to San Francisco by
riyoad, and there embarked on The steamship
japan and arrived at Yokohama on the 10Th
.: June. We are permitted to publish the fol-
loving extract from private letter, written By
Dr. Newman to Thomas kelSo, esq, OF this
city and dated at yokohama June2 1873 -
BthtMorc -lmericdn
We have been in Japan about ten days, and
more beautiful country is not on all the globe
There are noble plains Of many miles III extent;
there are charming valleys covered with
growing rice, pleasant to the eye there are
grand mountaius, which touch the clouds.
Fuszama is Il, 900 feet high, and is the sa-
cred mountain of the japanese. The rich soil Is
carefully cultivated, and yields Two crops year.
Rice is the great staple but wheat, corn, garden
vegetables many kiuds of fruit, tea and raw silk
art produced iu considerable quantities okoha-
ua. where we now are, is half European and hall
Japanese; but Jcddo, which is the seat OF
government, is thoroughly Japanese. II cov-
rr> many miles, and its temples and palaces are
very grand The people are industrious, aud
i, the gin-rich-a sha, which is two-wheeled
baby wagon. large enough for man to ride In,
and is drawn by native called Coohe, and
YOU would smile to see Us 10 one OF those car
liages going about as fast as one OF your street
car, 90 But you will be more Interested IN
the great changes which have taken place OF
late. and which indicate the advancement OF
the Japanese to better civilization. Some
Of thee changes are apparently trivial, yet to
cue here they have a deep significance. flt.
teen years ago Japan was a walled city, and
that wall touched the clouds. Non-lntercourSe
with outside natous was the rule. Secluslon
for themselves and exclusion for foreigners was
the political maxim of the Empire, but to-day
AL Europe aud Aluerica are searched for law
ycr> school teachers, physicians, engineers,
mechanics and artists, and such are entreated
to come TO Japan, with the promise of large
pecuuiary rewards. An American is at the
head OF the educational interests Of Japan,
witha salary OF $4,000. An Englishman is
the superintendent Of railways aud telegraphs
at salary OF $50 900 year. AD American is
Commissioner Of Agriculture, aud another is
legal adviser 10 the State Department OF the
Empire
Between Yokohama and Jeddo is the rive:
Logo beyond which, not four years ago, an
N1Otlcai foreigner was not permitted to pass;
tut now he can travel safely through the whole
Empire. The calendar of Christian lands has
been adopted; the divisions OF time into weeks
is accepted; hence the Sabbath is forced upon
the attention of the people, who will soon learn
that it is more than day ofrest-that 1t is the
day on which Christ rose from the dead
Christmas is a religious festival with all the
Europeans here, and is holiday with all the
japanese In their employ. 10 avoid its being
recognized as Christs birthday, the Govern
ment has commanded the people to observe it
as the birthday Of she first japanese Emperor,
who was born on some other day ln the calen-
dar Of the world.
1t has been the custom in Japan for many
centuries for the men to shave the fore part of
thcH heads, aud to allow the hair to grow long
on the sides aud back part of the head, which
was dressed like a woman's hair, but the gov
mcnt has recommended that the men wear
their hair after the style of the Europeans.
Sensible recommendation
Until within year the Mikad0 was dc emed
too sacred to be sccn by the common people;
tut now he shows himseltto bis subjects as
would any European sovereign. Nor are the
people required TO PROSTATE themselves on
their faces when he passes; but, instead, they
bow gracefully to his Majesty. But the grandest
OF all the facts is religious liberation. Not
Year ago alorg all the highways were posted IN
terdlctions against Christianity; but, BY order
o the Government, these have been removed,
ana Christianity is left free to develop her sell,
sl>taulDg and conuuering poWer.-DeO GrutldS!
NoNDRoUS EFFECTS OF INDIAN TGRNlp!! J!
Washington county, Ind. has "a wonderful
!a>us nat,n;c in the person of boy not yet
'hfce Years OF age. From gentleman who re-
Gently visited the house of the father OF the
boy, and saw him with his own eyes we learn
'"e following particulars: James Williams,
"cIl'tod farmer. who res dcs twelve miles
east by south Of Salem, has boy who will be
aircc Years old on the llth Of October next.
he child is very healthy, and we'll formed in
every respect, except his weight is seventy five
lTun't> httle above the average. When
ABOUT one Year of age this child began to de-
seVp rapidly, and now presents the appear
"lcc OF man. Upon the face are long black
~hhk@rS and moustache of remarkably thrifty
s'o"'h and hneness of texture The back and
S%'Sast % oil the child are covered with silken black
"'It m 'rom two to three inches in length.
rnne ,ne cmld has good health and is very intel
m- '.,":' The face wears as thoughtful 40 ex-
.,'" ,.:,1 as that OF 4 man Of mature years, aud
l"i"al quite handsome, were 1t not that the
,r,,,.: Pun out rather too much, thereby de-
S'.'l"s from It's beauty. Our Informant says
1rI H''er saw such wonderful sight in his life,
f" Taa states that those who live near MIR. Viii
nn ,nu,s and see the child almost daily yet look
"'J1 'he little one III perfect amazement. u
,,, IL making inquiry as to how this freak of ma
>a .'. was accounted for, the mother OF the child
,I'So I' mat when he was in his first year he got
n''u OF an Indian turnip and eat it up. This
IIse!aoc Is very powerful astringent, and the
t"!>lcan IN attendance at the time is said to
aNe nave worked whole day to counteract its in-
Ituence From this time the child commenced
Ilg development now accomplished, and to this
tuo'an turnip is attributed the result above
Inscribed =! As we are not skilled in materia
ncaca we do lot give an opinion, although
W''at ludlau turuip had to do with this case
We canuot conceive The parents of the child,
We learn, were to have exhibited it at Salem
Yesterday Wash. Republican.