Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-09-08
YOKOHAMA.

When the American fleet commanded by
Commodore Perry sailed up the Bay OF Ye-
do. in 1853, Yokohama was an insignificant
fishing village of possibly thousand souls.
Its male inhabitants gained livelihood
by sweeping the sea with their nets, or by
assisting the women in the culture of the
rice-swamps that surrounded the place on
every side. The village, situated midway
between the mouth of the bay and Yedo,
the Military Capital of the Empire, was
chosen as the spot for concluding the trea-
ty between japan and the United States.
By the articles of convention which were
exchanged on the Sth of March, 1854, Ha
kodate, inYezo, and Shimoda, in IdZu,
were opened to American trade and COM
merce. In 1858, by new treaty negotia-
ted by the Hon. Townsend Harris, Nagas-
aki. on the Island of Kinsin, and Kanaga-
wa, three miles across the bay from Yoko-
hama and sixteen miles from Yedo, were
added to the number of open ports. In
stead, however, Of admitting foreign COM
merce to Kanagawa, according to the terms
of the treaty, the japanese chose to make
Yokohama the future port, and Immediate
ly began there the construction OF granite
piers, a custom-house, and dwellings and
storehouses for the foreign merchants.
For some time there was much dispute
between merchants and Ministers as to
which point should be adopted as the place
of residence; but finally the strife was set
tied in favor of Yokohama, and thither con-
gregated the whole body of foreign diplo-
mats and traders. The town was irregu-
larly laid-out, and in the beginning grew
but slowly. In 1866 a fire consumed the
greater part of it, and upon the old ashes
was built city having a greatly-improved
. aspect, both materially and morally.
Yokohama, at the present time, has a
population Of about $4,000. OF this num-
ber, only about 1000 are foreign residents,
and from 1000 to 5000 are temporary in
habitants, composed of travellers, and Off
GERS and men belonging to the navy and
the merchant-marine. The Chinese popu-
lation of Yokohama is estimated at about
1000, and in all Japan at about $500.
They are either money-changers and brok-
ers, or clerks and artisan. Gas class, ="
says Mr.. Grifis, on whose statements we
base this article, ''they form the most in
dustrious nationality in Japan. They have
their temple, cemetery, guilds, and benev-
olent association; but no Consul or Manda-
rim to protect or to guard them. The sight
of the fat, well-dressed, cleanly Chinese,
so well-oiled in his disposition and physi-
que, so defantly comfortable in his dress,
forces a contrast between him and the jap
anese."
From thirty to fifty craft of various
kinds, and flying the flags of many foreign
nations, are usually at anchor in the spa
cious harbor Of Yokohama. The town it
self is compactly built of low wooden
houses, s,-the greater part two-storied, and
the remainder of one story, forming the
bungalow" of the Orient. The foreign
settlement lies at the left, on plain about
one mile square. the native town extends to
the right, covering an equal space; and en-
circling the whole is range of hills denom-
mated "The Bluff. Along the shore OF
the bay runs broad, well-paved street,
skirting the foreign settlement, and bor-
dered with dwellings and hotels fronting
the water. The avenue on which stand the
British and American Consulates is sci
with broad beds Of evergreens and camelll
as, outside of the narrow sidewalks. Iht
streets in this portion of the city are gas
lighted, and so clean that, even IN Wel
weather, the pedestrian may find pleasant
walking in the carriage-way.
Main street, the Broadway Of Yokohama
is lined with stone-taced stores, banks, no
tells and restaurants, with plate-glass win
dows, and brilliant display Of all conceiv
able articles of merchandise. BESIDE tn
Legations, says Mr.. Griffis, 'tare the fin
American hospital, the General and Brit
ish hospitals, and the public gardens. Oh
summer-evenings, one Of the bands from th
fag-ships stationed in the harbor plays il
these gardens; while flower, beast, anC
bird-shows, and various sports and amuse
nIents, fireworks, etc., are furnished by th
most indefatigable proprietor that ever ca
tered to public taste. Beyond the foreigl
concession of land-that is, outside the lin
its Of foreign DWELLINGS, the race-course
an ample space of ground, leveled, fenced
and furnished with buildings and specta
i tors stands. The races are held during
three days in spring and autumn, followed
invariably BY Black Monday, when bet
are paid. An incredible amount Of excite
ment, truly British, is got-up over Orien
tai horsehesh."
Missionaries Of various sects are Jealous
ly laboring to Christianize the native popu
lation Of Yokohama and churches wher
the Episcopal, Catholic, Union Protestant
and other congregations worship according
to their respective rituals, raise their splre
heavenward. The English newspapers pub
| lisbed in the city are the Japan Herald, tn
Japan Mail, daily and weekly; the JapGl
Gazette, daily; the Far East, semi-month
/ ly periodical of twelve pages; and the Japal
Punch, clever monthly, initiating in nj
mean manner the sprightly fun of its Lon
don prototype. A French paper, II Echt
du Japan, is issued daily.
The Bluff overlooking the city afford
beautiful sites for residences, which are be
ing rapidly appropriated. In the after
noon, relates our informant, when the bus
mess Of the day is over and the dinner-hou
is still beyond, ''the visitor on the Bluf
sees very fine specimens Of horse-tiesh
good turn-outs, and plenty OF pedestrian
and equestrian humanity out for fresh air
The trim door-yards, lawns, gardens, fen
ces, and hedges help to make picture 0
unexpected beauty. The villas and dwell
lngs are not high, being bungalows OF on
story, or houses Of two stories. Thougl
I not remarkable as architectural triumDhs