Smyrna times., 1884-04-30
For the Smyrna Times.
Letter from Miss Ella F. Swim
neY, M. D.


steamer-the MdgOyG Marn-we real
lied instantly that we were no longer
to sail under the American flag. We
had advanced but few steps when we
noticed number of Japanese officials
making their low saLGams to one anoth-
er as they met, bending almost to the
floor, then bowling less and less, when
suddenly they would commence the
performance over again, repeating the
same several times. Everything was
foreign, our own nationality being in |
the minority, even the stewardess |
could speak but few English words. |
The steamer is large and fine. The en-
tire line was sold few years ago to the
Japanese, now "The Mitsu Bishi Mail
Steamship Co." Their sign, three dia-
monds united at their points, is seen
everywhere upon the dishes, table
linen, silver and articles of furniture.
With pleasant and novel surroundings
within the boat, and u beautiful view
without, as we steamed down Yeddo
Bay, our afternoon passed rapidly away.
The following morning we discov-
cred. that we were out on the ocean
again, as we sailed sOuthweard with
the boundless sea at our left and the
Niphon shores continually at our
right.
Nearly the entire forenoon in our
rear was visible the lofty Fusyama,
snow-white mountain of the Japanese.
In the afternoon Captain Walker var
led from his usual course in order to
give his passengers an additional pleas
ure. He ran directly towards the
shore and passing through narrow
strait entered into still waters behind
an island. Here was a picture quite
Summer-like, with the sun beaming
down on the quiet scene and no chill
ing winds to interfere. There was a
strip Of land ON either side of variable
width covered almost continuously
with villages, beyond which rose lofty
mountains where every available space
to their very SUBMITS was cultivated
in green and fourishing patches, the
intervening places being too rough or
covered with heavy foliage. With a
description of the places and the peo-
plea little world by itself-a pleasant
hour was enjoyed, when turning to the
East again, we made an exit through
another narrow strait, all dotted with
tiny islands, and put out to sea once
more. The following morning (Sab-
BATH we were anchored and Fastening
on deck we enjoyed fine view of the
city of Kobe and the adjoining native
town Of HiogO. As the valley was
wide and slOped gradually to the
mountains the farthest buildings were
elevated and the whole city lay open
to view, so that the handsome residen.
ces, churches, missions and public
buildings were pointed out by name.
The American Consul to Japan, Gen
eral VanBuren, being passenger, di
rected the attention of our party to 9
little white spot scarcely to be seen, Oh
= the very highest mountain, "The Tenn
pie of the Moon" He said it wa.
large, round, with dome and purely
white, is almost inaccessible, yet Jap
anese love to make frequent pilgrim
ages there for worship, each ascen
giving them much favor with the god
dess. The journey upward, it is said
is but first begun, when the marrow
pathway leads by waterfall removed
in this country for its volume ant
beauty. The waters descend down tn
J, mountain side until they make this last
long leap. About ten years ago
drouth visited this part of Japan @
!, such severity that this body of waite
was diminished to trifling stream
m when the bare rocks beneath were Wis
d ible, upon which characters were dis
covered, indicating that similar ca
- lamity had occurred ninety years bG
fore.
At noon some of our Toxic party II
turned from their visit on shore, wit
re enthusiastic descriptions of the "Ten
pie of the White Horse" which the
is is had seen. AS my great desire was
he see temple, availed myself of th
49, opportunity of accompanying q fe
he that were going, there being four of I
=" besides an officer who kindly increase
ne our number.
le- Passing down the long steps on IL
at. outside of the steamer, we endea'
ored to enter the sampan which was
lst frail and tossed about that the row,
ass was obliged to bring it up to the stel
ng, separately for each of us, when the OF
al waiting would strive to step in at I'll
Sc. right moment, and thus each succeedC
a in entering, while none were so unfo
- tunate as to jump into the wave
Having lived these weeks so his
above the water the little sampan al
ourselves appeared to be sunk belle
10 the surface of the bay. Taking rikish
we rode through wide streets for pc
haps twenty squares, when we came
q temple. Ascending the steps of Il
If entrance we passed under the archwi
into n wide, open space, with gre,
grass on either side and dwellings b
yond, then through another entran
into a second enclosure. Here the ce
trail object Of attraction was {;
granite shaft with an artificial la
about its base, encircled by an ir,
and railing. 1t appeared to be foreign
on the place and out of harmony with
ans ans surroundings. This monument, 0
guides told us, was in memory of
not discover, as the engraved chara
ters were in Japanese. Another ga
led into the inclosure proper and '
! tin In stood before the temple itself, it was
i'd. the centre of beautiful grounds, VIII
to the left was large artificial LAX
4 with capes, islands and tiny bridges.
There were five or six steps in fro
of the temple leading up to an op
g. portico, the first step being about thr
feet high to prevent intrusion. T
lOlulHB uOOrS SLOOu tJdT revealing
,r handsome screen, beyond which Q
'H' sight could not penetrate to behold t
by mystery of the idol enshrined, VIII
- gazingupon this heather temple and
beautiful park surroundingit, adorn
with rare trees, shrubbery and wal
lined with flowers, with the der
dnl- grove beyond, many of the vehems
gnS5 denunciations against idolatry in I
Scriptures occur to our mind, castin,
!, gloom upon what might otherw
ell be beautiful in the scene about
Our feelings of sadness were grea
! Ray nc, increased, mingled with pity, on seei
1usi. a native of fine bearing enter throu
sex, the gateway and solemnly approa
'I@s par. the temple, when, pulling q rope
rang o large bell hanging above, to
- tify the idol of his presence as a W