Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-06-21

mittec 10 reporting II express no opin.
ion as to the power or policy OF the
Government in this respect, they be.
licvc II to bo the duty of Congress tc
encourage by all practicable and avail
able means the construction of great
national highways by private capital
and enterprise, that theinterests, pros.
perity, and happiness Df the people
may be promoted.
INSIDE A JAPANESE HOUSE.
Many who visit the japanese build.
ing on the Centennial grounds with
curious interest will read with special
satisfaction the following from Apple.
toms Journal by William h. Griflits:
Ilived in Japanese house in Fukui
seven months, during which time be-
came well acquainted with the ins and
outs OF the old mansion, and its beha.
vior in seasons Of storm, typhoon and
earthquake. As all visitors TO the Cen.
tennial will see, and rs all may read
Of the outside, let me describe the in
terror of Japanese house.
Neatness and simplicity are the
characteristics Of the people in the
mikado's empire. Paint is rarely used
on tho woodwork, the delicate grain
and fragrance of the native woods be-
ing too highly appreciated. After a
months residence in japan one won
ders why we spoil 50 much beauty by
smearing it over with oil pigments.
In japanese house, parts Of the
woodwork are laquered. This sub.
stance, laid on as varnish, leaves q
hard, lustrous surface, difficult 10
scratch. Woe to him who touches or
approaches it when is is fresh "Lac-
quer poisoning" is q temporary purga-
tory of itch, rash and swelling Re-
spectacle ladies and gentlemen look
like prize fighters after the last round
for the championship. In aggravated
cases, the eyes close entirely and the
nose bursts into fiery bloom. The
misery lasts week or more but
some persons are never affected by the
sap.
The floor is laid with tdtdmi OF rice
straw, two inches thick, made into
mats six feet long, and bound by an
inch border Of black cloth. The face
OF the mat is OF fine smooth grass, like
that in our best mating Being so
closely laid. the hoor reminds ono OF
colossal chess.board. The Joints are
so tight that there are no draughts !;
and the air at the floor is of singu.
larly warm temperature. The ceilin;,
is Of thin boards Of wood, grained like
watered silk, crossed by black lacquer
cd strips Of wood, meerschaum, or col
ored bamboo. Plaster on the ceiling
is decidedly unpopular on account Of
earthquakes. The japanese are not
SO passionately fond Of knowledge as
to wish to see the law Of gravity illus.
tratcd at every chill of mother earth
by having their skulls cracked by fall
ing lime. On the walls, after prim.
ing OF common waste, the ornamented
or gilt paper is pasted. The ceiling
is rarely so covered.
Closets, chimneys, or sashed case
ments, were unknown until recently,
though cuddy-holes for small articles
are made and often exquisitely adorn-
ed. Cabinets and chests of drawers
have their place. In the Kitchen the
smoke wanders out at its own sweet
will Charcoal, which is used for
warmth, is smoheless and odorless.
One would suppose the use Of this fuel
to be dangerous, but, though | often
inquired, | never heard Of native
losing his life by il. The openness Of
the houses prevents ll-effects. Its use
for suicidal purposes is utterly un-
known. This phase of French civiliza-
ton is not yet in vogue in japan.
In summer Japanese house makes
a pleasant dwelling place in the cold
winter II Is simply abominable. North
of Osaka one needs fire six months in
the year; but the japanese have no
safe or convenient method Of warming
their houses, using only the hatdcki
(ire-bowD. My recollection Of Jap
anese houses in winter or rather of
my condition while in them, are of
cold that penetrated to the spinal mar.
row, and made my teeth chatter most
impolitelys while the contemplate bra
zier with its pitifu warmth served
only to make cold visible Though
uncomfortable TO q foreigner, these
houses are less so 10 Japanese. As
the cold weather increases, the natives
put on additional layers of clothing,
like skins TO an onion, until they have
as many as four, six, or even eight
thioknesses Of clothing. With their
padded long clothes combining the heat
Of their bodies, as they sit in their
kneeling fashion on the thick mats,
they need warmth on their hands,
which the handful Of Goals easily
yields. =
The kitchen is called ddi.dokoro
(great place), which sufficiently indi-
Gates why the children of the gods To-
cate the seat Of affections in tho stom-
ach. The chief piece Of furniture is
the furnace, made of earth or plaster,
with two cavities, for rice.boiler and
tea-kcttle. The fuel is split wood,
which ia much cheaper il Japan than
in China, where hot wateris regularly
sold in shops TO people too poor 10
have fire. As the japanese do every.
thing upside down, as we think, the
blade Of the AK for splitting wood is
sct at right angles TO the handle.
In lieu of bellows--an artificial
pair Of lungs to blow the fre--the
Japanese use Natures own, and q
bamboo tube carries the needed oxygen
from the mouth TO the FIRE. In addi
ton there are iron and brass cooking
pots with wooden covers. Charcoal n
used ior broiling when the birds, fish,
or bean-curd, are spittcd or laid on
gridirons A thick cutting board, and
flat-sided knif6 10 slice Vegetables, an
other dirk-likc one 10 slice raw fish,
and an cdgclcss sheet Of brass for bean.
curd, arc among the necessary imple-
ments. A rasp, or unperforated piece
Of iron, Is kept for grating purposes.
Tubs, pals Of all sizes, and dippers,
are made wholly Of bamboo or Of wood.
Tho tinwarc, now 80 common through.
out tho country, came into general use