The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-24

Gl Tie Town OF SOZu, when Is very
small comprising about one hundred
houses, We were not allowed to 90
ashore as this town was not open TO
commerce, and the people would not
come out to the ship.
TGerc are about 1902 islands IN
this sea the majority are small,
each island has one or more villages
upon it. rice and tea grow in
abundance.
passingin and out among these
islands the scenery is extremely pict
nresqs, the land is mountainous,
with green and fertile valleys, dotted
with little. Villages, presenting All ex-
tcnsiye field for an artist to labor
in; how regretted my inability to
sketch ': The islands in this sea have
not opened their ports to foreign
ers.
Large sailing vesaels do not pass
through this sea. as the channel is
narrow and the navigation very dan~
gcrous, While passing through
the Str ats of Simoneseki we could
hear THE people in the town talking.
the pa ssage being so narrow q good
jumper could escape ashore. After
passing through the straits sanpan
with one man in it, while trying to
cross our bows was run down and
sunk the life. buoys were dropped,
engines reversed and boats lowered:
before tie boat reached him he was
picked :, up by another Sanpan.
When lie was seen trying to cross
our bows, we shouted to him to turn
back, but he kept, persisteutly on.
We picked NJ. our life buoys hoisted
our boat up, and proceeded Or OR
course. During the fall heavy
storms prevail in this latitude, and
in one Of these storms we were
caught. Ia this storm we were
more fortunate than in the last as We
were near safe harbor, into which
we ran, and anchored lying there all
day and night, the next day we
started out again but had to return
to our anchorage, as the wind was
blowing furiously and a heavy sea
running.
We remained here three day riding
out the storm with two anchors down
and so fathoms of chain to each, We
were protected from the sea but not
! from the wind which would whistle
fnri,usls through our rigging, At
last the wind abated SO as to enable US
to proceed on our course, We weig he'd
anchor and stood out to sea,beavy
seas were running which would wash
/ our decks fore and aft. After rough
passage of ten hours, during which
the ship was rolling and pitching
heavily, wc sighted land ahead, and
| standing in it appeared we were about
to run ashore. until turning point
Of land we entered q channel be-
tween the mountains, steaming up
q winding passage for half hour we
came in sight, Of Nagasaki, Japan.
running close inshorc we anchored
and as usual were surrounded by
japanese iii their sanpans.-
The city is built at the foot Of 9
mountain. we'll laid cut and very
extensive, the population about $50,
900, q great many foreigners reside
here. Nagasaki presents 4 picture
of business activity, the harbor
being constantly full Of, vessels
touching here for cargoes, and re
pairs as there are two dry docks and
several machine shops opposite tile
city. Nagasakl is noted fer its
beautiful! tortoise shell, and silk
work mansLip, ali kinds Of articles
made Of tortoise shell, models OF
their houses, junks, sanpans, and jim
rickishas.
Beautiful birds, flowers, and Coats
of.:,rms of all nations, made Of silk
which can be purchased for S2.0C
and $500. 1t seems almost impossible
for them TO realize anything from
their sales as every thing is SO cheap
While we were here the japanese
celebrated holiday, during the day
they sent up day fireworks, ali kinds
i Of animals and birds.
Balloons and other objects were
seen floating through the air, and at
night we witnessed the finest disj lay
OF fireworks we haze seen, all the
iunks in the harbor were dressed with
colored lanterns from deck 10 truck
and SO continuous was the display
of 6rcworkS the iunks appeared