The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1883-06-28

GLIMPsEs OF TIE STRANGE THINGS IL THAT
FAR COiN IRI
We are permitted TO make extracts from a
private letter written to her relatives by Mrs.
Phincas Pcndlcton, formerly Mis-, Emily Perry.
Of this city. who accompanied her husband on
the voyage TO Kobe, Japan, in the ship Eliz-
abeth. Mrs. =. evidently proved good sailor,
for She says she enjoyed her life on the ocean
wave very much. They had pleasant weather
nearly all the time. The ship arrived al Kobe,
May ID. There were very few ships in port.
and only two American captains, and they
were not accompanied by their wives, 40 that
Mrs. Pcndlcton was quite alone. The ship will
probably 60 in ballast to Victoria, u. g.. for
coal to san Francisco. and proceed thence TO
England. We quote from the letter as follows:
And now what shall | tell you about this Gu
rous Japan that will most interest YOU? The
first day we went ashore | was more impressed
with the people than anything else. Such queer,
grotcsquc creatures todding along on their
wooden clogs. They look Just ~ they do on
the fan. for all the world, not Bit cxaggerat-
Cd Even the hard. red color on the checks is
lust aS they are painted on the fans. The babies
and children would make YOU scream right out
J don't get used 10 them one bit they are all -
boys and girls dressed in long. loose sacks,
reaching TO the heels. long wide sleeves. and a
broad sash tied around the waist. nearly NJ 10
the arm-pits. with an immense great bow on
the back. Their beads. many Of them, have a
round spot on the crown shaved perfectly bare:
round that Il ring Of thick hair, and then itd on
the front Of the head. Young girls have their
heads dressed III the most elaborate manner
over pads, and in loops and bows. like the wo-
men. None Of them have any other hcadrOvcr-
ing in the street. and ! look al The elaborate
structures III ailIHIcmcnt ~ 70 how they ever
do II. believe they all employ u bair-drcsscr.
and only have II done once a week. When they
sleep they rest their ncrks on little wooden
pillow. ABOUT an inch and u half wide. The
coolies who pull the inrikshans 20 with lust
as little covering rs the law allows. narrow
cloth tied round the waist, ana the thinncst Of
little sack-coats which ill with wind and blow
out like sail. so that as you ride along. Of ne
ccssity you study bare cgs and b.. 10 Your
hearts content. What = country for m artist
don't get used being pulled ya boy instead
Of horse II tires me for them ~ thc time
They keep mp steady trot mile after mile ~
If they bad no feeling whatever. but ! notice
when they stop they pant heavily for BREATH
and the pcrspiration j. pouring OF them
You may know that our old pastor. Mr.
Davis is@ missionary in Japan liz home j.
IN kob' and knowing that ! wa. coming. he
sent his card soon after Wc arrived. He ana
his family were just going to kloto 10 spend 4
week, to attend q conference Of missionaries.
ana had planned 10 t1k" trip 10 kiOtO, 20
We thought We would 90 while thcV were
thcr. we went saturday morning and return
c'l Monday AFTERNOON. having very nice time.
hiDlo j. Il large Guy, about fifty miles away. a
railroad runs there, ana Of al the beautiful
countries yoii ever went through, this bears Of
me pam lhllk. IT seemed ~ If every incb Of
ground was cultivated f. IT. utmost extent.
ana II looked IKE pcrIcH landscape gardening.
square, lrahglcN, circles, oblong, each lifting
into The other patches Of dark green contrast
ing win Light here a quantity Of the brightest
yellow IKE the blossom Of TIE mustard plant,
men square Of pure white, joining balf 40
acre OF brightest PINK - mile after mile W.
WouI" pas i'hr NJ Is iaf ~ We eye rouid
i'acll on 'ih.r sIdr. ana everything was IN
regular row. lI>t - lar apart MI each division
helng OF different color: Then Wr would pass
ihirkrlH Of bambo. ana AL sorts Of odd trees
WI'h temples ana houses scattered among them.
ne people ~ ne cars were a. much interested
III Us ~ we III lhrm. Inc women All slipped
Oh lhrir c0%H' cured thclr lcrl up under them
on me Ncai puiI"d onl long. slender pipe from