The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-11-18

nation with fixed Japanese ideas and
customs There are many factories whose
tall chimneys denote a city of consider
able commercial Importance, as it is in
deed one of the principal ports of Japan.
THE INLAND SEA.
AT O'Clock p. M, orders we're re-
ceived to proceed at once to Nagasaki for
transfer to another ship bound for Taku,
China. The journey from Kabe is made
through the Inland Sea and the Sea of
Suo, distance of about 400 miles, cut
ting through the southern part OF Japan.
1t would be difficult to find anywhere
else on earth a scenery more changing
and enhancing than that which is in
cluded in this route. Every mile presents
complete scenic picture fresh and
startling. At points along the route the
sea is twenty or more miles wide, and
again a stone might be thrown ashore on
either side of the ship. There are thou
sand islands, rugged and menacing, seem
ing to have been the creation of some an
CRY volcanic upheaval in the ages that
are gone. The islands are all covered
with dense foliage and most of the taller
peaks are capped with feecy Clouds
while here and there are dark caves and
tunnels cut by typhoons in their mad
careers for centuries long since passed
into oblivion. Little, prosperous villages
lie among the cosy hooks, and the waters
are thronged with fishing boats. 1t is
said that 00,000,000) ten million people
live on this Inland Sea in their boats.
They are always in the boats, catch the
fish, sleep there, marry there, children
are born there and remain there until
Al
and they never know any other home.
With it all they are a happy, intelligent
Industrious and prosperous people. They
have few wants, which are easily sup
plied-they seem to be we'll -governed and
are contented These 100000 600 of people,
massed upon an area of only 900
square miles (about three times the size
of North Cardinal by their skill, pluck,
energy and intelligence comprise an en-
pire that is recognized as one of the
''powers" of the world.
NAGASAKI
Making the trip from Kobe in about
thirty hours we came to anchor in the
harbor of Nagasaki, our first destination
point on September eth, and prepared to
take our maiden outing on shore At
this place we are to await the arrival
of General C. F. Humphrey, our Chief
Quartermaster, Division of China, who is
to come on the Sherman from Washing
ton, accompanied by several clerks in the
department.
1t did not take us long after getting
shore-leave to signal the universal Sam
pau" (small boat and pull for the
shore" These boats are wide and safe.
They are long at the bow and have a
kind of light cabin amidships, and the
whole outfit looks like an armfull of pine
boards simply thrown together, and
nailed as they fell without much regard
as to what kind of shape they took. The
boatman is a Jap-he is naked from the
| thighs down, wears a string around his
| hips, has no covering for his head, is
| strong as an OK, and propels his boat by
| a single scull which is made in two pieces
| bound together so as to give it spring
ness. He makes good time and smiles
when he puts you ashore and collects ten
| cents for the fare.
| Nagasaki has about so, 900 population
| and is even a prettier city than Kobe.
| The mountains are terraced and covered
| with handsome residences almost to the
| tops. The Buddhist Temple is erected
! upon the side of one of the mountains
and is reached by five co terraces and
| stairways and from this point is obtained
! one of the most beautiful views of the
| city. There are a great many good hotels
| including three English houses. Prices
| in the Japanese hotels are $50 day and
| the English from SO to $15 a day, while
| accommodations are satisfactory in either
| place. There are a good number of for
eigners stopping at the Nagasak Hotel,
| French, Germans, Russians and Italians.
| They all speak English and are very
sociable. There are also here a number
| of refuge missionaries from China. and
wives of ambassadors who left Pekin
when the gates of the city were opened
| by the allied forces. Prices at the hotels
are in Japanese currency, which is just
| half the value of American money.
THE JINRICKISHA.
Of course the first thing to be done by
| a visitor upon reaching the shore is to
| charter a jinrickisha (the only prevailing
| means of conveyance), and undertake to
| see the town. There are very few horses
| in Japan. They do not thrive here. We
| saw only four in Nagasak, and these
| were used for bearing packs. We saw
, only two horses during the stay al Maya
! saki There are no street cars here and
| never will De, as the streets are very
| narrow. most of the main business streets
| being only about twelve feet wide.
The jinrickisha, a comfortable little We
| htcle very much like q baby-cart 1t is
| drawn by a man, who takes his place with
| in the shafts. He strikes long, swinging
| trot and makesabout as good time as the
| average horse in the State. The jim :
| rickisha man is a small, very strong and
| good natured fellow, and strives to make
| you enjoy the trip. Most of them speak
some English and thus they are exceed
ingly helpful in sightseeing and in trad
ing in the shops. They leave the jim
rickisha outside the door and follow you
through the store, taking good care Of
all your bundles that are purchased, and
they never lose a package. The primary
sensation, when travelling in a jinrick-
sha, is peculiar. You feel conspicuous
and imagine that every person you meet
is laughing at you. When you get so
that you don't mind this the impression
begins to creep over you that if the man
CHI OF ha n In