The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-03-07
Yeddo, japan.
Extract from letter from Mrs Randolph to tn

Extract from letter from Mrs Randolph to the
Missionary:
"Mr. aud Mrs. Ballagh and myself went from
Yokohama to Yeddo on the cars in one hour and a
half Although it had been four and half years
siuce had been on train, it seemed very natural
but the scene upon orr arrival at Yeddo. was
novel in the extreme. stood still until the stream
OF japanese, in their clankiug wooden shoes, had
all passed me. A great company of them look
very queer. The streets are filled with jin.rick
shas so all one has to d. is to step in, and let
man pull you wherever you wish to 20. The dis
taDces are so great 10 Yeddo il is wonder how q
single man can pull so far. In little while we
came to considerable hill, which we had to walk
up-then few steps more brought US to the house
OF Mr.. Geo. Hamilton, teacher for the Jananese
government. He once lived in Louisville, Ky.
was glad 10 see genuine japanese house, such as
he lives in. 1t looks like toy house covered with
thin white paper. IL was so sunny and peaceful
and sweet and clean shall not soon forget its
reSut look, and this right in the heart Of the grea
capital Of Japan. Two sides of this little dwelling
cousi of W ndow sashes that slide backward and
forward, with this thin white paper pasted over
them. No glass. The partitions are merely Jap
anese paper screens that slide back and forth 10 the
same way. So japanese house can be literally
folded together, or In such way as to expose all
the rooms TO view. A Uery narrow verandah ex
tends around the dwelling. o. the outer edge
are two grooves, to acc mno1ste the wooden 8 i'd
ing doors, in which the little house is encased al
| night fall.
| visited the normal school lately established by
the Empress. The building is foreign, and very
large. Four hundred boarders of the higher class
es are now there, taught entirely by Japanese
There is but one foreigner in the buidipg--a kind
of director or something Of the kind. The Japa
nese are very jealous about letting the foreigner
have too much to do. They want to get all the
good possible from foreign nations and are willing
TO bear with the foreigner until they get it {; bu
Just as soon as they can stand on their own feet
they have no more use for him. 1t will be no sur
prise to the foreigners when they are thrust out
They have lost in Hatakiama an Influential friend
He belonged to the Imperial bousehold--was con
nected with family of great influence in Japan
spent eight years in Europe aud Anerlcs-pro
fessed Christianity in America, but am sorry tt
say, was not so decided Christian to profess
bis faith in Japan. Indeed | am told here thai
| but one Japanese of those who professed religion
in America aud received baptism has been knowr
to acknowledge Jesus in Japan Nothing bu
| frowns and prosecutions would await them, anC
their moral courage fails.
But to return to Hatakama. He had consump
ton. Last spring he conceived the idea that trlI
to America would cure him, and nothing would d.
! but he must 90. Ut. MoCartee was his physician
for few weeks before he started aud knew ful
we'll that he would never get back alive. he wen
Lived to start home again on the Picking" anC
died few DAYS before the vessel landed on his ma
tive shore Friends talked and prayed with him
think, upou the steamer, lady sang hymn
for him. He expressed pleasure, but has left NJ
record Of his faith in Christ. His funeral which
was real pageant, took place in Yeddo, on Mon
dav helped to make wreaths for the easket
Ga Sunday, Mrs. MaOarice took me in her jim
riok-sha to church, fully four miles away. Th
missionaries at Yeddo have been assigned to por
tion of the city lying on the water very low
called " ske jee." There they have union servic
every Sabbath morning.
The Japanese are so clearly Their floors ar
covered with mating which is soft to the tread
really cushions upon which they sleep at night. Th
bare floor is always clean enough to sit upon. Their
is never dust upon anything.