The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-04-06
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
THIS COLUMN is OPEN TO ALL.
fur The Cecil y i:iG
AN OLD SAILORS YARNS.


LODGING IN TEMPLE-PRIsoNERs OF
JAPANESE HosPITAIITY-Nov ACCOM-
MODATIoNS.
fear, Mr.. Editor, that these yarns will
be monotonuus to many of yonr readers,
because they are not embellished with some
miraculous adventure or notorious fish
story: but my object is to state what | saw
in Japan eighteen years ago before their
ports were open to the commerce of the
world.
AS we steamed along the western coast
OF the Island the famous mountain Fagaama
burst upon OUI view, with its eternal snow
cap summit. This mountain is held in
great venerati0n by the natives and is dis
played prominently in most of all their
ldcqueled work. 1t was once "a burning
volcano but exhausted its powers years
past. We found on our approach to the
harbor and city of 1eddo that there was
not depth of water for a ship like the
Niagara to approach within less than live
miles OF the city; consequently we had to
anchor that distance away, where We lay
for severa! days before the least notice was
taken of our arrival. Nor did the En-
of the highest 9igniCaries of the Empire
visited the ship to receive their report as
to the result of theil mission to the |. ;.
We were under the impression that the
Embassy was composed Of some Of the
first men OF the country, but when the
commission from the Tycoon arrived on
board the members OF he Embassy bowed
down before them and remained il that
position until mojicGed 10 StaGd erect.
After the report OF the Embassy had
been made, they accompanied the com
mission ON shore and invitations We're
granted 10 the officers 10 visit the great
city I.d!o. now Iuikn the London OF
Jarau,) but we Were Informed that the
Japanese had no public houses ior the &C
Commodatiou 0i strangers, pus they had
prepared for our use a hotel OF resting
place, one of their largest temples o! wor-
ship, located i'll the heart of the city. Per
mission vas therefore granted to The officers
"a visit the city, dividing them into three
squads, and the writer happened 10 be in
Guided III the first squad. Ne wG.c ordered
10 wear our uniform and side arms. AS
we landed We were received by large
number Of officials, each wearing two
swords, who conducted us 10 the Custom
House where we were taken charge of and
our number counted and officers appointed
to guard us to our quarters, OF eur Way to
which we were surrounded by thousands
of .Iaps, anxious So see what sort Of beings
the long expected Americans were. There
being 10 carriages, hacks OF street TAIL
road, we had to walk to the place prepared
for our reception, "a distance Vi abUnt two
miles, and as we passed through the mar
row streets, with the one ->tc!y houses on
each side, The ir:A4tes Hooked to the open
fronts TO gaze at lis. .IuSt in front of us
went body CT policemen, each carrying
a pointed staff, on which were hung several
iron rings, which they ,iingied together, as
a sign toi the crowd to clear the way for
u.s. this being the way the approach of
their own princes were announced, that the
common people might be prepared to bow
themselves to the earth until the nobility
passed, who are always carried upon the
shoulders Of men in sedan chairs.
The temple in which we were lodged was
surrounded by high walls, with massive
gateway leading therein, and as soon as
we were all inside the gates were closed .
and we we're practically prisoners and the .
officers who conducted us from the landing
turned Us over to another set who were to
take charge of us while on shore, giving Il
receipt for our safe delivery. We were
then shown into the building intended for
our accommodation which we found divided .
into small rooms by sliding partitions made /
of light frame work aud covered with
paper. The light was ad
mitted into the rooms by similar means,
for they had no glass. In these rooms
there was no furniture whatever; the floors
were covered with fine straw mating, on
which we were to sit, sleep, lounge and |
eat AT our pleasure. this being the custom
of the country. Night come on aud our
appetites peing sharpeneG by our long walk !
we asked for "cbnw chow >; This was