National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-30

Mr. De LONG, late Minister TO Japan, has been
entertaining the people Of San Francisco with q
lecture or rather talk, respecting that country,
in which he stated many things OF interest mark
ing the progress of the Japanese toward the
higher plane of European and American civlliEs-
ton. The size Of the territory is greater than We
generally suppose being equal in area to the
three great States of New York, Pennsylvania
and Missouri, and having a sea-coast line includ-
Ing islands, greater than that Of the United
States. 1t is rich in minerals. Copper coal iron,
gold and silver mines all exist and may soon be
extensively worked. The Burning mountain, {"
near Yeddo, is held sacred by the natives, who
throw coins into the mouth Of the crater to ap-
pease the wrath of the heather gods. These offer.
iDgs are often taken away BY the less devout
foreigners. The Japanese are improving their
stock and fruits by importation, chiefly from the
United States. The people, who formerly inclined
to a vegetable diet, are rapidly acquiring an ap-
petite for the flesh Of animals. As their grazing
facilities are ample, this qualification Of taste
may not be difhcult. The country promises to be-
come a good market for California horses and
cattle The ordinary limit of travel for foreigners
Is twenty-five miles into the interior from those
ports open BY treaty to foreigners. AS foreign
Minister, however, the1ecturer was permitted to
travel more extensively. The ancient religion OF
the japanese was the SintOo faith,
which teaches charity to the poor, clean
illness Of person and purity of spirit
iliRl devotion and great fidelity Of servants.
The BuddhiSt religion was introduced many
centuries ago from China, and was the prevailing
faith under the Tycoon. Many magnificent
temples were erected, and adorned with costly
ornaments. The aboTigines we're "AinOs" or
hairy men, few specimens Of whom may be still
found in the Jesse or Kurile islands. They have
wealthy, black, flowing boards, res ,hing below
the waist. Tradition says that the present race
Of Japanese came mysteriously from Heaven to
Nsgasaki in boat, and grew in strength and
multiplied, till gradually they drove the Amos
into obscurity, as We have the Indian. Previous
to- the arrival OF Commodore Perry in japan with
formidable feet all foreigners were most rigor-
ously excluded from the country, and the people
were so exasperated at the Tycoon for entering
into that treaty, for opening the ports and per-
hitting trade with foreigners, that they deposed
him and restored the authority Of the Mlkado upon
the issue Of the expulsion Of foreigners. But the
formidable display Of strength exhibited by the
Americans English and French deferred them
from enforcing their policy, and in a few years
the Mikado became in turn the fastest friend Of
the foreigner and Of progress. Mr.. belong gives
q most amusing account Of his first presen otion
TO the MikadO in person. He was at first Informed
that he could not be admitted into the sacred
presence OF the royal governor. But upon per-
sisting that he could accede 70 nothing short IT
what his Government was in the habit of accord
ing to foreign Ministers, and was willing to ac-
cord to q representative OF the MikadO in this
country, be was finally allowed to present the let
ter OF the President TO the Mikado with his own
hands. Now, that ruler dresses In the European
fashion and goes forth to revie his troop sur
rounded by his staff and eroWd:of foreign visit
oTs in the most unconcerned way possible. Japan
has made rapid strides toward civilization durirg
the last quarter Of a century, AMI the grandest
events are predicted for her IN the near future.