The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-06-27
[spEcrAL coRREspoNpENcE.l |

SPECIAL CoRREsPoNDENCE.l
NAGAsAKI, japan. n.--Wilh its myIiads
OF islands that are washed by the waters
of the Oriental seas, stretching for
leugues along the Northeastern Asiastic
coaet. the Kingdom of Japan lies on the
remntest bounds of the East, 1t is the
land of the Rising Sun. beyond which
reaches out the broad sweep of the Pa
clfic. 1t comprises four great islands,
with irregular shore lines, skirtIng one
another, hung with innumerable isles,
ike gems upon its garments, and by rea
son of its long separation from the world
awakens the keenest interest. A land of
mountains of volcanic origin, of rich
and fertile valleys, with magnificent har-
bors and beautiful cities, and With pro.
gressive and interesting people, Japan
NAV well challenge the attention of the
traveler.to whom its pOrts,s long closed
to the world, have been thrown open al
last. The Japanese are industrious and
temperate, DUAL in number to twC-thlrds
of the population Of our own country,
and dwell in seventy thousand cities and
towns, than whom more stfal lie ana
hospitable people cannot be found any
where, although the victims of the grow
ing evils introduced by the new cIvilizt
ticn from beyond the seas.
We entered the portals of this won
derful land ut Nagasaki, very import
ant port, on the sUuthernnIost island, af
ter a short run from Corta. The hlrbor,
fronting he West is one of the most
beautiful bodies of water that the navi-
gator is likely to find anywhere. With
in its enclsure it appears entirely land
locked, and is about two leagues IN
length. 1t is surrounded by halls, somc
of which are fifteen hundred feet high
which are broken int long ridges and
deep valleys, and in places rise in ter
races abOunding III vegetation. The
| city stretches along the Northern side OF
the bay mile or more, and contains
seventy thousand inhabitants. b. hlnd
the town on the hills are seen various
temples devoted TO the worship OF the
sun goddess, which is a fern of the old
national religion, as well as the pagOdas
of Buddhism which in modern times
came from China. On the Sou hern
front Of the native city lie the European
stttlemeuls, with the ConSulates on the
hilly ground in the rear, Continuing
many beautiful residences, club houses
and public buildings. rne bay is cover
ed with the shlTpng Of the world, with
men of-war, JAPANESE junks and
myrlads of covered boa's, forming a
charming and picturesque scene.
AS soon as a vessel comes to anchor, i
g surrounded with native sam-pans,
each anxious to be engaged to ply be
tween the ship and the shore. Most of
them are clean and comfortable boa S,
with a covered deck for passengers capa.
BILE of carrying four persons, any one OF
which may be hired tor sixty cents d
day, Upon arrival ON shore the jim
rick-sha men are about aS annoying a.
American hackmen, and their scramble
does not cea, until the services of one
has been secured, when the others sub
side and depart in peace. The streets OF
the city are clean ard well paved, III
which the common conveyance is the
| lin rick -sha, a two-wheeled carriage foI
one pat senger, drawn by a man who
places himself between the shafts and
trots along at a lively pace, and may be
secured for forty cents day. The
walks about the city are pleasant, but in
common with all the thOroughtares they
seem to lead 10 a kind of tea-hOuse
known as Fukugas, where in cool rooms
aud in easy chairs one may find delight
| fll rest, and re served with tea and re
freshmen's, waited upon by English
speaking native girls.
| The tea-houses are the most noted fea.
lures of Japanese city, and are very
attractive establishments, in which tea
is the usual beverage offered TO patrons
although foreign drinks are found in
| T. 81 tn V,ln - h.
highest national type there is no furni-
ture, but everything is neat and clean.
The floors are covered with mating
with a thick layer of braided straw un-
derneath. The rooms are separated
from one another by light sliding frames
covered with paper. AT the entrance
all patrons are required to remove their
shoes, an act that is easily accomplished
by the natives, who wear sandals and
whose stockings resemble pair of mittS
with a place for the big toe, but not sc
simple a matter for us, although equally
| imperative. There are ea-houses, how
ever, run on the semi European plan, in
which shoes may be worn if properly
lcleaned. Little cushions for seats are
| provided, and an hibachi. which is a
metal-lined box open at the top contain
ing burning charcoal, is placed in the
center of the room. About this the
guests are seated, attended by pretty
japanese girls. II tea is ordered, it il
made from water heated on the hibachi
and is served in miniature cups. 1t i:
not strong, but has an agreeable taste
and makes very refreshing drink Ii
less pretertious establishments the bev
erage is brought to one in tea-pots hold
ing about pint. The native saki "a weah
liquor distilled from rice, as well al
many kinds of eatables and small pipe:
of tobacco, may be obtained.