The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-07-26
OUR CENTENNIAL LETTER.
Tho Japanese and their Display--The Cor.
man Commission--Cnr Complication
NInurltius, Etc.

THE JAPANEsE.
While 1 may have spoken OF the
"method of the madness " in the Japan.
ese prices for their articles, cannot
withhold from them the praise due their
energy and enterprise, their confidence
in the Exhibition, and their happy TO-
cility in their accommodations 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 general
expenses of her exhibitors and $40, 10000
for government collection. The gov
eminent also pays the personal expenses
of ar exhibitors as may wish to accom-
pany their exhibits. There are $50 ex-
hibitors. The principal portion OF the
articles a, Q from the provinces of Higo,
Toxic, Kiyto, Huiga, Omi and Yoko-
hama. The fan, so peculiarly a Japan
ESQ design, was invented in the reign OF
the Emperor Tenji, A. D. 66S, by ma
tive of Tamba, he taking his idea from
the wings of bat, called Kaua-hori,
which was the name given the fan.
Ihe "Japs" have some beautiful
specimens of swords. Until lately, the
wearing of one was considered an evi.
dence Of gentiity. A late decree for
bids the wearing OF them. With the
Japanese the sword is Of divine origin,
as it was handed by Amateraszu-on-
kami, the heavenly ancestress OF the &C.
tual dynasty, to one of her descendants,
together with 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 an
cestors in all purity, and OF distinguish
ing clearly the good and the bad, then
look in this mirror; govern thy country
as mild, as is comparable to this soft,
rounding stone, and when any people
disturb the peace of thy subjects chas-
tise them with this sword and force
them into submission. The scabbards
O! the swords are generally made Of
magnolia wood handsomely ornamented,
often in fine repousse work. The carv-
ing, inlaid and gilded work OF this in
genious nation is wonderful. They have
splendid collection of bronze work.
Their silks are rich and durable, but
rather faring for American taste.
REFLECTIONS ON THE GERMAN ooMNIs-
6ION
Some busybody has assailed the in
tegrity of the German commission. The
German minister at Washington says
the statement that he charged some
members of the German commission to
the Philadelphia Exhibition with cor
rupt practices, and requested their re-
moval, is entirely without foundation
that he has made no such charges that
there have been no corrupt practices
and he has not asked for the removal OF
any of them. I am glad of this, as our
German friends occupy too important q
position to have it assailed by itinerant
newsmongers, or Wperous, irresponsible
maligners. The Germans are calcu-
lating race of people they are honest
and industrious and they will not steal.
CAR COMPLICATIONS.
There are many lines of street cal
travel, and it is possible that to simplify
them may be of service to those who
will be compelled to use them in their
varied trips over the different routes to
the Centennial grounds. N. B.-H you
are so situated, that you are not on a
main line to the grounds, buy an e1-
change ticket, cost nine cents, thus
saving twenty-five per cent. each trip.
If YOU are within reach take the Market
street line-I think it the most OK,
peditious. In taking car ask the con-
ductor-"Do you go direct to the
grounds 2" or you may take car that
will carry you part of the way-where
you will change, taking a through
crowded car. It is easy to ask, and
conductors are always polite-thls will
save you time and annoyance; on the
Market street line take yellow car. The
cars at periods of the day, say from
eight to eleven A. H., are crowded, II
fact packed between those hours, o,
earlier you can have no difficulty in be-
ing comfortably seated from half pasl
four to six P. NJ. the packing again oc
ours a little patience, and you can afte1
that hour ride without difficulty.
Lies in the Indian ocean, between fifty
seven deg. seventeen min. and fifty
seven deg. forty-six min. longitude, an6
nineteen deg. fifty eight min: and TWEEN
ty deg. thirty-two min. south latitude
it is four hundred miles east of NADIA
gascar, and comprises an area of 67t
square miles. The Mauritius were dis
covered by the Portuguese in 1907. The
first settlement was by the Dutch II
1898, who named it Mauritius in honol
of their Prince Maurice. They aban
doned it. In ITO the French took pos
session. It was afterward captured by
the British in 1910, who, by the treaty o.
Paris in 1914, had their title confirmed
This important island to the British
economy sends, through her commits
sioners, thirteen samples OF sugar, anc
photographs of thirty six types OF the
inhabitants, Chinese, Indians, Malagost
and natives of Mozambique, coffee, va
nilla, fifty specimens of medicinal plants
basket work, preserved fruits, and Mau
ritius work from the Mauritius botanica
garden.
THE SUNDAY QUESTION.
The president of the Centennial com
mission has received $4,000 communi
cations approving of the closing of tn
Exhibition on Sunday-some Of these
are signed by 5000 persons. The col
of the matter can have as many, opln
ions are divided, and as the time of th'
reassembling of the commission draw
near the subject is being agitated, will
much examinations and recriminations
among friends of the different leaders
who assume to figure as apostles Of re-
form on the one hand, Or Of liberal O.
latitudinal ideas on the other,' from m.
standpoint of opinion. Compromise
may be made, but the Exhibition vii
not be opened on Sunday during th'
; present administration-to which senti
ment hearty AMEN will go mp from
one class, and a bosh from the other
All cannot be made happy-it is impos
sible. j. b.
An Absentminded Benedict.
An exchange prints the following: Z
prominent business man, whose NAM
we will call Yates for short, had lived al
old bachelor, but finally yielded to th'