Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-22
LETTER FROM JAPAN.
BEAUTY OF TIE C0UNTRY-vISIT 10 THE GRRA
ii OIL OF JAPAN-A BRIGHT NARRATIVE.


BEATTY OF TIE coUNrRY-vIsIr TO THE GREAT
ii OIL OF JAPAN-A BRIGHT NARRATIVE.
Miss Carrie T. Alexander, who in october last
LETT this city for Yokohama Japan, to engage
IN the foreign missionary work. has arrived
sa1ely at her destination. The following
extracts from letter to her mother In Alexan-
0Tia and ner sisters In this city will no doubt
be or interest:
"Our voyage closed as 1t began, on perfectly
delightful day, although as whole 1t must be
considered it the next to the worst he had ever
made. There might be heavier gales, but not
weather more continuously bad. l had no
myself, in spite Of the banging about that l, In
common with the other eight weights" (l0J
pounds.) received. Excursions of the most
unprecedented kind across the cabin floor
were not 1nfrequent, and once While dressing
In my room Was thrown at full length into
my berth, and just as suddenly tossed out
again across the room on to the lounge. A few
such experiences are really valuable at sea;
they afford both variety to life and topics of
conversation. Oar last days were our busiest.
Birthday books and autograph albums were
surely be read In every quarter of the glOoe
even IL we do not merit such distinction. Most
people, think. regret the breaking up OF the
quiet, irresponsible life one leads on board a
steamer. at least our party did, and heard
similar expressions OF feeling among the very
experienced travellers.
We made the outer nght-ship about a. M,
and think can claim the distinction of being
the only passenger who saw It, Our captain,
fortunately for us, was man Of appreclative
aQll!y. and as the prospect was for fair
weather, he delayed the steamer during the
night In order to give us opportunity to enjoy
fully the approach to this wonderfully lovely
country. AT about half past I'VE O'Clock the
gong sounded and 1t was not long before We
were all out IN our shore clothes, n ecstasy d:
the scene that was opening before us i wish
! could give you an adequate description OF its
beauty. can hardly say grandeur, for although
FuslEama IS more than 10000 feet in height aud
the atmosphere it seemed to be close to the
shore. Its snowy summit contrasued with the
foliage OF the trees that cover the near hills
gave II almost an unnatural appearance.
Gradually we were able to take In complete
picturesqueness OF the indented Shores WOO led
down to the water edge, except where thin
t1lmy cloud OF smoke rose To tell OF the early
breakfast OF village OF fishing people, as
foreground, and the wonderful snowy cone
found its r1ghtful place in our admiration.
Then every one became intent upon seeing 1t
touched by the nrst rays of the yet unrisen
sun. Already the sky above us was reddening,
ana ABOVE the mountain lay part of a belt OF the
loveliest pale blue. Very soon the SHOWS OF
tuslyama took on misty pale blue tint, which
and the crimson light spread and deepened. A
few seconds later the mountain was glowing
first pink and then golden In the morning light
1ars OF the oage was
l could only stand and wish for you all TO en-
JOY II with me. We moved Slowly up the BEAU
tlful bay or Yeddo. cast anchor at half-past
seven, and then our first experience Of foreign
life began. All around US lay the ships of other
nations, and the water was alive with native
boats, manned by the half-clad japanese. The
ing, and the brown skins seemed In perfect
harmony with everything else. After y hasty
breakfast We prepared TO go ashore, and must
confess to iittIe sinking OF heart at the pros
nEnFO NH xrrhtc
after ALL was part OF America.
Mr.. Knox aud Mr.. Ballagh met us at the
steamer, and all our missionary friends met us
with such hearty and kindly welcome that
my dread OF strangers was diSsipated at once,
and soon we were on our way to our new home
without care for either our baggage or our
selves. Mrs. Hepburn was waiting to invite us
to dinner. AT an early hour We awaited our
selves OF the opportunity Of a good nights
sleep or terra nTma, and were happily obliViOuS
till some time past the usual breakfast hour. At
ten O'Clock we were welcomed In Our visit to the
mission school. We also visited the industrial
exhibition, returning just In time for dinner
and TO see Miss Olmsled back to the City OF
Peking. We had a delightful row In native
boat TO the steamer.
THE BOSS IDOL OF JAPAN
According to an arrangement made while at
the school the next day was fixed upon as
Japan,-Da1 Butt, at Ka-ma-ku.ri. The place is
A2miles distant and the journey mustbe made In
1irr1ki- sha. Our party grew In size so that when
OF eighteen rtht Shds. You may imagine the
sensation we made along the streets OF the city.
we left Mr.. knoX's gate at about eight O'Clock
bright day, but we provided ourselves with UNI
brellaS and blankets as protection from ratn
and were GLAD that we did later in the day.
Our way LED US FIRST through the native town,
and then across picturesquely arched bridge
out into the open country. Then, for the first
time, realized that 1t was the kind of country
had read about. Sunrise on Fusl could not DC
hoo hr,f hoA
placed the descriptions Of the general appear
ance OF Japan to the credit OF partial 1magl
nation. The ride to Kama Kura, however,
was one unoroken succession Of beautiful pic
lures. The great fields of rice, weighed down
with mature grain, covered every part OF the
numerous little valleys, and the hills OF such
claiming In wonder at them. were covered with
the most luxurlant growth. In many places
there were terraced down from considerable
height The Japanese are natural landscape
gardeners, and know where to choose the best
place for building as well. 80 that the matched
roofs ana picturesque bungalows were every
where an added charm. l cannot tell 1T all.
About halfway to Ka-ma-Kura We arrived at
mountains base, and the whole party got out
to walk up. On the summit which we reached
IN about forty minutes, We found ourselves on
TIE
.'PLA1Ns OF HEAVIER
This Is place where numbers of natives
come out almost every day simply to see the
views from either side OF the hill Our coolies
tor, and this Is saying good deal 1t Is impos-
sible to give any good idea OF the scene. Some
DAY ! hope to get an opportunity to try a
sketch.
The descent on the other side Of the mountain
was very abrupt, so much so that Il was not
pleasant to walk; so our coolies took charge of
US again, and we soon left the ferns and moses
behind us, and presently came to the salt
marshes OF an arm OF the bay that projected it.
self into q lovely valley, greener, IL possible
than any We had ever seen before.
THE APPROACH TO THE BIG IMAGE.
For two hours more we wound through sue
cessi0n OF similar valleys, most of them occu.
pied by native villagers, and at last found our
selves at q tea-houSe, where we left Mr. Knox
with the lunch baskets.
Another half hour we were at the entrance
CT an immense grove, where the great image
stands In solitary state. It was approached
through q long avenue Of cypress trees, and
looked very imposing and heathenlsh at q dis
lance. The nearer acquaintance took away
from this even, and 1t became a ''Show." We
Sat upon great Buddha's thumbs, and visited
one shrine In his chest, another In his head,
and sang the doXolOgy and offered prayer
while the guardian priest stood outside and
offered photographs for sale, and begged for
subscriptions to the fund that is being raised
TO build new temple. AS work OF art 1t
ought to be preserved.
The temple OF the god of war was close at
hand, so we overlooked the fact that a rain was
falling, and spent an hour looking at the SWORDS
and masqueS and sandals OF various heroes, who