The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1876-07-15
CENTENNIAL LETI'ER.
The yapures.--4n dppeat to Congress
Mdu,it ms--4rf Catalogue Miscellany.


THE JAPANESE.
PHILADELPHIA, July 1.-While may
have spoken of the = method of the mad
ness" in the Japanese prices for their
articles | cannot withhold from them the
praise due their energy and enterprise,
their confidence in the exhibition, and
theft happy facility in their accommodate
tions to American manners and tastes.
The japanese have invested heavily in
the exhibition, and deserve credit for
their sympathy. The government of
Japan appropriated 100000 for the gen
eral expenses of her exhibitors and S7O,-
600 for a government collection. The
government also pays the personal expen-
ses of all exhibitors as may wish to
accompany their exhibits. The principal
portion of the articles are from the
PROVINCES of Higo, Toxic, Kisto, Huiga,
Omi and Yokohama. The fan, SO pecul-
iarly japanese design. was invented in
the reign of the emperor Tenji, A. ID.
Cos, by native of Tamba, he taking his
Kaua-hori, which was the name given
the fan.
The ",Japs" have some beautiful
specimens of swords Until lately, the
wearing of one was considered an evidence
of gentility. A late decree forbjds the
wearing of them With the Japanese
the sw , is of Divine origin, as it was
handed by Amateraszu- On-kami, the
heavenly ancestressof the actual dynasty,
to one of her descendants, together with
a mirror and a rounded stone, similar to
those worn in former times as amulets.
"When," said the divine Amateraszu,
"thou art in want of contemplating the
spirit of thy ancestors in all purity, and
of distinguishing clearly the good and
the bad, then look in this mirror; gov
ern the country as mild, as is comparable
to this soft, rounding stone, and when
any people disturb the peace of thy sub
iects chastise them with this sword and
force them into submission" The scab-
bards of the swords are generally made
ofmagnoliaIwood handsomely or:amented
often in fine repousse work. The carving,
inlaid and giIded work of this ingenious
nation is wonderful. They have splen-
did collection of bronze work. Their
silks are rich and durable, but rather
faring for Am erican taste.
AN APPEAL To CONGRESS.
Among the features of the exhibition
which seems to be the most eagerly
sought for. is the catalogue. Yet, there
are some who will not accept its perfect
ness, and while the mass swear by it, a
few swear at it. / remember some years
ago, in Memphis, Tennessee, a gentleman
was candidate for a public position 1t
was few months after the terrible
scourge, whose ravages led the country
with generous and overlooking hands, to
aid the distressed of that plague-ridden
city. Among his promises, he said, " If
you elect me, 1 will pave the Streets
will establish reform, and if l am not
aided by the board of aldermen, I'll APP
peal to the north for funds" One of
the gentlemen, whose articles were not
entered, remarked to professor Gardner,
satisfied and would appeal to General
told him he could demur to so sensible
a proposition. He did so. General
Goshorn declined to interfere. The
gentleman then said, cpl appeal TO
congress" the reporters. This one
responded to the appeal, by his ultima
tum-send round basket of the best,
or I'll say that Professor Gardner is
the most finished scholar and elegant
gentleman, and is doing wonders in his
complicated role, all of which is the
truth. The basket of Aguadenta has
not arrived, hence our opinion of the
professor is maintained. What congress
will do fer all those who are dissatisfied
with the management of the exhibition
l am unable to say.
MAURITUs
Lies i'm the Indian Ocean, between 81
II and SO 49, longitude and 1872 So and
2Oo 80 south latitude; it is four hun.
dred miles east of Madagascar, and com
prises an area of six hundred and seven
ty-ssuare miles. The Mauritius were
discovered by the Portuguese in 1907
The first settlement was by the Dutch
i'm 1898, who named it Mauritius in
honor of their Prince Maurice. They
abandoned it. In ITO the French took
possession 1t was afterwards captured
by the British in 1910, who by the
treaty of Paris in 1914, had their title
confirmed. This important island to the
British economy, sends through hel
commissioners, thirteen samples of SUI
gar, and photographs of thirty-six types
of the inhabitants, Chinese, Indians
Malagosh and natives of Mozambique
coffee, vanilla, fifty specimens of medi
cinal plants, basket work, preserved
fruits, and Mauritius work from the Mau
ritius botanical garden.
THE ART CATALOGUE.
A great deal of complaint has beer
made by visitors to the art galleries-o
their not being able to find this or tina,
work. This was owing to the confusion
and hurry incidental to the preparation
for the opening. | am now pleased tt
say that the new revised catalogue is il
| T
tleman of culture and taste, whose Euro
pean experience and energy, assisted by
the accomplished Miss Emily Sartain
ture or work of art will bear the name
of the owner and artist. The jamb o
each door entering into apartments will
be intelligibly inscribed: so that the ar
gallery will be easily comprehcndcd.
am indebted to the police chief of Thu
department, Mr.. Townsend, for valuable
information.
In this connection l am gratified t.
state, that in each department | an
furnished every facility for obtaining in
formation, which courtesy is appreciated
as it is valuable aid in forming the
composition of my correspondence. Tht
centennial management have displayed
remarkable zeal in their efforts to enter
tain the press, and their correspondent
are granted privileges which will prov,
invaluable as aids in accomplishing The
desire of at least your correspondent, &:
full yet concise description of the work
ings of this wonderful work of the 19tl
: century.
The president of the centennial com
mission has received twenty-five thou
sand communications approving of tn,
closing of the exhibition on Sunday
some of these are signed by five thousant