New-York tribune., 1876-08-08
NLT PUBLICATIONS.
rnr A,IHAnO,S EMpIRE.

,,,cr;.l University of Toxic. las accumulated TIE |
,oo.or;al. for ,ts cou.position during residence !
of nearly three years in Japan, ana '"u'n
longer familiarity with some ot TIE DcS' spo'-
mems OF the native population Who h1u i'
- ~ This country FOL the purpose OF
e6p.ation Having taken chargc oi theiF III
,trrction for a considerable period Of time he was
ivsA iv high Japanese arthcrity 20 visit That EN-
nra and organize a scientific schooi or the American
nripcire with tne position of professor o. tine phls
cal sciences. He arrived in japan ab0ut the on" o
December 1870, and remained till the illa'c VI
July 1871 During the whole Of tins time h' en-
Ioyed the society Of cultivated scholars ar''''S
nriests a1tiouaries and students, both in the pro
yisional and national capitals. lis etters ol i'V
duction 10 prominent i'll the Japanese uoNelH
ment gave him oppOrtunities for research ana opSer
walton not often accorded to foreigners. lie was
witness OF the wonderful changes that took place IN
the wears ls72-4. and was conversant with all
classes of society from the palace to the howell
The matter of .the work is distributed into two
books the first embracing comprehensive history
of Japan from the year eco i. {. TO A. d. 1873; the
second devoted to narrative OF the author 5 per
sonal exnerieuces observations. and studies during
his residence in the country. The historical portion
is elaborate ample in detail, lucid IN statement ana
betraying dilgeut study of the most important
authorities Oh the subject. OF more popular char
ph'S'
Japanese life at the present day, with the impress
sions he received from an eXtende6interconrse WITH
all classes of the people. His first sight of Japan
was in mid Gvintcr. As he looked out upon the iald
from the windows of his sta,c-room, ne found the
beach dotted with thatched huts and white store
houses. The bay crowded with ishcrihehs
boats. whose occupants were in the long,
loose Japanese dress, their scaps Shaven III
tie middle with skin of a dirty copper
color and the projecting cue or tOp-knot lhough
different in dress and condition from their gay
coautryncn who lavish money and studT hard in the
United States their general appearance and physi-
ocuon,v were the same. AS tho ship moves on and
the splendid panorama is unfOlGed, the cruinpicd
backs of many ranges of mountains rise IN tie dis
tauce overlooking plains OF high cuItlVa'loh' ana
spotted with pOpulOuS villages. The vessel soon
arrives at Yokohama, a little fishing station
and now stately city, the busting metropolis o!
the foreigners in Japan. steamers from hakodat!
Shanghai and Hong Kong, and the regular mali
steamers from southampton and IIscliles lie al
anchor in the harbor. From thirty to forty
vessels are usually in port. hcet of iron
clads and other ships display the En-
glish, French, German American. or japanese nag
fearful amount OF powder is wasted m mutual
saluteS. The town compactly bait OF low houses.
with tiled roofs The foreign settlement is LAID ont
on plain about mile square. the japanese town
spreads out another mile more to the right.
Beyond the plains semicjrcle OF hills Is covered
with scores of handsome villas and dwelling
of all sizes and varieties of architecture. Along the
water front Of the settlement runs wei!-paved
street protected by Il stout wall of stone masonry,
and adorned with private dwellings, gardens, acd
hotels There are no docks for the shipping, but there
are the English and French brcalIWaters, solid
structures of stone. projecting into the boy On
coming to anchor, tie steamer Is surrounded by
crowd of small boats, among which the
United states mail-bo&t Is conspicuous, daring
toward shore, with It's precious freight. Inc coai
lighters are crowded with dirty coolies with exceed
ingly scanty clothing. An American lady with good
eyesight supposed them 10 be clad in tight leather
colured garments. On a second view wondering at
the Ierf.ct At OF the dgess she found it 10 be only
that of Adam and Eve before the fall. The native
boats are driving hrs. trade N oranges aud various
articles of diet beloved only bY the ASacS Huge dfy
persinnons and s;d a fascinating Japanese bevcl-
age bTcwed from fcrncrtcd rlcc, find ready sale.
VI The stTcc.s of Yokohama are well paved ana nave
good curi,stoues. Rows OF iron lanp-posts, with
lanterns and burners in excellent order, tel cisects
well lighted with gas al night. Along the principal
avenue, the sidewalks Tor several blocks are
planted with cvtIgrecns and flowers In MaiH-st..
the Broadway of Yokohama, you pass fine stores
with stone fronts, banks, hotels, and restaurants
The magnificent show windows and abundance OF
pate-gass suggest solid wealth within. The variety
of feminine payaphernalia is wonder TO behold.
CraftsmeH OF the finer arts also grow rich IN IOkO-
hama Several jewelers. ply a brisk trade in their
tempting wares. Thousands Of watches are sold
yearly TO the egaese G0rfc of japan. BARRIERS poles
salute ms Oh several streets and one may he shaved
in French, English, or japanese. Tasteful albums
of japanese costGme and scenery are displayed in
the Photographic establishments. FIrstcass eating
saloons await the calls Of hungry crowds
The auction arc well filled with ra-
tive and foreign purchasers. The confectioltis
bait the dainty pala,e with their toothsome Gates
On every corner are the signs Of lawyers. doctors,
and dentists. The streets are gay with splendid car
riagcs and farmers, pilgrims, and new comers from
the provinces stand aId gaze at the strange speca-
Gle. French Catholic and Russian Greek priests III
their cassocks, nuns in their black robes, we'll
dressed Chinese. Jews from every quarter OF the
earth, French soldiers II blue, aud British soldiers
in red, everybody talking in different language,
help to give the scene cosmopolitan character.
The street occupied by the hongs, or great bust
ness establishments. exhibits another aspect. In
japan the distinction between merchant and
shopkeepcr is vital. great gulf socially and com-
merciailv, is placed between the two castles. The
street in which the hongs arc situated is gloomy
compared with the lively Main Street. Most Of the
buildings are Of stone, mauy Of them fIe-proof
From the windows of the stOreEOuses where the tea
is dried issues the fragrant Of the new crop
which is prepared for packing and export by native
girls aud women, Most of the largest hOngs are
owned by merchants who were among the first
come,s 10 Japan Many of them are branches Of
houses in China. From five to twenty young men
form their clerical staff backed by small army Of
cat;va noriarS cooIieg hackers. bOatmCn, aud so