The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-04-26
CROSSING THE PACIFIC.

TOT SeNtTdi ddgS dIteF leaving fiOHplulu
our thoughts were occupied with the many
pleasant recolloctions of the Hawai-
ian islands. We had letter of
Introduction TO Captain Rnder, of
the steamship Begic. and every
courtesy possible on ship was given us.
Each day was fun of pleasure and inter-
est: about midway the Pacific VIC crossed
the lS0th meridian where a day is lost to
all who travel westward. so we had the UNI
usual experience of retiring Wednesday
night and waking Friday morning
The rest OF the journey to Japan was
given 10 the delights of reading and study
ing about the fair land were soon to
see. \ Chinese steerage passenger died
on the voyage. which brings to mind the de-
votion all subjects have for the Celestial
Empire. and their great desire to b. buried
in their native land. When immigrants ar
rive in san Francisco they join a society
which pledges It's members to return the
bodies of all those who die in America to
China for burial this last rite being
sacred part OF their religion. In fulhllng
this obligatioA To save expense the bodies
arr marked fish bones" and go as ordi-
nary freight.
Ofientimcs a Chinaman who Is about to
de IS pat on a steamer and started for
home by this society. as it is less expensive
10 buy stcerago ticket than TO have the
bodies emhalmed. should the person die on
board his body is not thrown over but a
collection taken up among his fellow pas
scnEers 10 pay the expense of cmbalming
his hody. and thus il Is carried on to China.
We were twelve days from Honolulu to
Yokohama. and what a thrln of delight
came over rs as we came IN sight of
FuJiyama, Japans sacred mouu.ain. This
Is a solitary snow peak l2.00 feet high.
now an extinct volcano. which smiles
down on the rolling country below as a
guardian angel As we came into harbor
hundreds of sampans crowded around our
steamer and the Japs mounted rope lad
ders 10 the deck like brownies. The first
view was not strikngly foreign as the
barhor was tilled with ships of all nations.
among which was an American man of
war. and III" bund IS built up with hand
some modern houses. But once ashore
found ourselves among people which in
point Of charm ana originality proved all
we had heard Of them.
Jinrikishas instead OF cabs are the nv ans
of transportation, and comfortable little
vehicles they are. The name inrikisha
means drawn carriage, and We soon found
that Jap coolie is as good as a horse any
day. for they 80 SO fast and make no dust
The vehicle. looking very much ike a two
wheeled baby carriage. was invented by an
@AttA Att NAto " t1 tttNtAAtt- III JtkHtls ne
found the native palanquin exceedingly un-
comtortbale. aud now the .rikisha" has
been adopted an over the east.
When Commodore Perry arrived in Yo-
kOhama IN 1854 ID was an insignificant fish
Ing village. but was opened as a treaty
port. and since then has become the princi-
pal commercial port of Japan. Little in
tcrests the sightseer outsid" the shops but
they with their choice collections Of all
that Is beautiful In japanese art occupy
ones atteutiou for days.
Many excursions can bo made in the
neighhorhood which afford most pictur-
esque landscapes We have made several
Of these. one TO Kamakura. where there
is a colossal bronze statue Of Buddha, and
another u Euoshina. "a charming iitJle
seaside + sort. To both places We went In
tarikishas and 4, is wonderful what good
time Tire coolies made pulling Us. II is
great fun to ride in these little carriages.
and I wodld like to bring one home. We
have had our pictures taken sitting in
them dressed in japanese COSTUME, 50 our
frlt uds can see just now We travel
The railroad journey To- Nikko is a long
one. hut through beautiful rolling country
almost every foot of which is under cul-
uNttiou. The rice fields. waving SO grace
fully ia ihe soft brccze. extend eVerywh, re
aud il is no uncommon sight TO soc hum
dreds Of women working. their babies TIED
% their backs and huge straw umbrella
hat protection both from the sun and rain.
The weather makes no difference TO the
working peuple. III they have their heads
covered they ave AN right.
Nhio IS tile city of temples the sacred
city of Japan, to which emperor and pco-
Pie make 8 yearly pilgrimage. a. worship
at the Sariues OF deceased great men WHO
are buri There. J have been reading
very Interesting article about the RI l.gsons
al f4tgf8