The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-10-12
THE TRANSIT OF VENUS.
A Corps Of American Observers
Landed in Japan.
Incidents of the Voyage and
Scenes on Shore.
NAaAsAKL, japan. Sent,


We left San Francisco July 49, on the Pacific
mail steamer Alaska, and, alter most delightful
voyage OF tweny-three days, saw land the
morning OF August 81. We arose early, and, with
the rising OF the sum- could distinguish the outline
OF the japanese volcano Fusiama In the course
OF an hour the complete outline OF the land and
the details OF the surface became visible Fusiama
the morning haze having disappeared, rose up TO
great height and beautiful object it
was. co not wonder that II has
been made an object OF worship and alteration by
the Japanese. The Cape King hight was now
PISSED and we entered the Bay OF Jeddo In the
excitement our breakfast was almost forgotten
and we were all employed examining the land
with our glasses. The wind, al. at once. began to
plow severely and continued increasing, careen.
ing the snip over on her side and delaying her
progress considerably. 1t was the only severe
wind we had experienced during our voyage and
the Captain pronounced 1t to be the remains or
typhoon 1t proved TO be so, for Nagasaki suffered
from typnoon the same date.
SCENES INsHORE.
We now approached quite near to the land and
discovered beautiful little village nestled on the
sea shore at the foot OF precipitous hill. 1t was
Ephrain. japanese fishing village, rather an odd
name for Japanese town. The land now in sight
was beautifully green and rich in foliage, and our
hearts bounded with delight and gratitude because
/ OF reaching terra nrma once more. Wenow passed
another lighthouse on the south. 1t is beaut-
fully situated on high bluff the midst OF green
| woods, and the hill sides are terraced and rich in
crops OF rice. The square white building with its
| heavy tent-shaped roo, below which on the beach
is fishing village, In front OF which were several
junks at anchor, formed very picturesque view.
AS we passed, the Japanese flag was h0lsted and
! We returned the salute.
| A large Dutch frigate now passed us, standing
4 u IA N..tnpn r,Inr
| Japanese junks now became quite numerous; these
vessels though not having the graceful outline OF
carry a large square sail, Q ten made Of bamboo
| have straight SIDES and are considerable higher
at both ends than IN the middle; they are OF the
and paint IS seldom wasted on them. The rowing
| boats are OF very similar construction though
smaller, and are propelled by long sweeps when
are permanently attached to the gunwaes and
used with scnlling motion. AZ the time
on anu they were tossed about unmer ciiully aud
/ often hidden rom our sight by the waves, vet
Aey he
line, OF . gondoia.
| We were now but very few miles from the city
! OF Yokohama, though an intervening point Of
land hid the city Itself. On this point were Sit
the residences Of foreign oniciais The whole
! spot was beautifully green, the white tops
tops the ana al p1ssssass nsS s ns
class OF men. Rounding the point, Yokohama,
situated in o concavity OF the land, appeared to
our sight, and IRON q distance 1t did not have
foreign an appearance as expected. We slowly
GUS shipping OF ail nationaities and finally at
tached TO our buoy Japanese cities have no wharves
or piers, and all SHIPS anchor some distance from
the shore. understand that the reason is because
IN typhoon the ships would be very much injured
more room and s freedom Tor action Our SHIP was
Immediately surrounded by 1eet OF "saupans.n
that 70, snail open boats, manned BY natives,
| "A MAYS IN nT n
girdie ana straw hat, yet did not feel the least
embarrassed, which was more than could safely
say vi some OF our passengers.
! These boats were rapidly propelled In the strong
! WIND by two men; the sweeps, which were quite
| long they used with dexterily.
This class OF the people appeared to be very
muscular and IN fine physical condition, and IN
seen, VINO were debllitated ana cadaverous look
ing set.
GETTING TO LAND.
One OF the officers OF our ship came and informed
us That this was the only means OF transportation
to the shore; this quite astonished US and
some distance IRON US, to entrust ourselves
to such boat IN the heavy sea. The waves
alternately rising in the air, and coming down
and siapping the water, dashed the spray over
! HUNTING UP LODGING
| was, OF course the unfortunate individual Sc
lec.ed by our Chief Professor Hall, to go ashore
others were doing the same, and as the hotel
was undoubtedly limited IN extent hes
sas nS ayer longer Tor but my 0ss sasy up de-
scenae ~ me gangway, and shontlng 's'nto.
as Inc otners did' taougn not understanding what
ing favorable opportunity jumped on board and
hastily seized seat for support. The voyage was
spray. ! was landed at place when was evi-
IDENTITY the usual landing place, Tor here the boats
sardines In box, heads and tails. As got out
OF the BOAT one OF the boatmen followed me, crying
boo" and gestlcuating violently. / asked
| IN.
integible boo" A gentleman standing near,
VINO was evidently English, Judging rom his Lord
Dundreary SIDE whlskers, explained and told me
that 1900" was japanese coin OF the value of
twenty five cents; SO the matter was soon settled
means OF transportation to the hotel was in
jluriksha. l would describe 1t as TWO wheeled
pes Se yf an iD y
by coolie dressed In .'bear skin" In the night
time they Illuminate the darkness with varie-
gated paper lantern The "men hOrses' keep up
q steady dog tr0t for miles and are capable or
great endurance. It Is an easy and pleasant way
good springs, and the roads, being hard earth. are
trodden down and quite smooth, SO there is very
CITY EXPERIENCES AT EARLY DAWN.
the s,ghts II appeared o'ar as II was IN
the manners. HABITS ana customs seem to be just
the reverse Of ours. This particularly noticed in
draw the plane towards them. instead OF pushing
It, as WEI the teeth OF their saws are set contrary
w OuTs. IL was very new 10 me, Us 4 SITOueu
along the streets to ind myself mixed up with
crowd OF blue shrOuded persons mounted on
wooden shoes; The shoes are usually pieces Of
wood the size OF the bottom OF the
foot raised upon two blocks OF wood;
they are fastened like sandals. They are about
four inches high and are always removed at the
threshold before entering o house. The houses
are wooden and the rooL which Is tent shaped and
massive, Is usually the most ornamented part OF
the building. The interior usually consists OF
one large room, which can be divided into several
apartments Dy means OF paper screens. Paper in
japan Is used for making everything, lanterns,
signs, fans, handKercheIs &C., they are very last
ing and the paper used Is very tenacious and Is
torn with difficulty.
EVENING REFREsHMENT.
In the evening we all chartered jiurikshas and
went to Japanese tea garden. where we had an
elaborate supper. IL consisted OF gfblets OF all
kinds, and .saki" rice whiskeyl, boiling not was
freely circulated. The taste Is very peculiar and
quite unpleasant to our palate. We removed our
shoes on entering and reclined on our elbow In
true Japanese style, becoming naturalized for the
time being
DISASTROUS FIRE IN WILLIAMSBURG.