Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1903-09-24


filed with water All enclosed oy
large high walls to Keep the peo-
pie from seeing the palace.
The mode of travelling through
the country and streets is by
Jinrikishas. These are drawn BY
men and some OF them go very
fast. Most OF the houses are
small and their roofs are made oil
tile or slate. There are no doors
or windows in the house. but a
sliding panel is used. No furni-
ture can be seen AMI upon enter
ing the house you would be re-
queSted to remove your shoes
and leave them at the door.
have often wondered why no one
would steal the shoes, but there
has never been one case of that
sort. The floors are so very
clean and contain such a high
polish that one can see himself
from the reflection. They sleep
on mats and sit on the floor.
The people are very polite and
when you enter their homes or
shops. they bow several times 10
the floor and suck their breath
through their teeth to show you
that they are greatly honored by
your visit.
The hotels in Japan are run on
the European plan and cost from
5 to 8 dollars per day, about $3.50
to $500 u. S. currency.
The shoes for the most part are
made of wood. The men and
women both wear long gowns,
with big sleeves and tie them on
with long sashes.
The school proposition now oc-
cupies a great portion of the in
terest of the Japanese people.
There are a great many Ameri-
can schools with American teach
ers. The Imperial University at
Tokyo is immense.
One thing that one notices 8
pecially in Japan is their cleanli-
ness. The floors shine like poll
ished silver and not a speck of
dirt can be seen. Most of the
Japanese eat-with chop-sticks.
Their food consists of rice, pick
les, and tea.
The most beautiful spot in ia
pan is at Nikko, 1000 feet above
sea level. Snow can be seen in
April and May near by and the
scenery Is grand. A stream runs
down from the mountain and last
year it washed away the sacred
bridge and killed thousands OF
people.
No one was ever allowed to
cross over this sacred bridge ex-
cept the Emperor and his Iamily.
1t was made of red lacquer and
cost thousands of dollars. The
most beautiful temples are found
at Nikko and pilgrims make a
Journey every year from all parts
OF Japan to worship the gods
there. The religion is Budda a.ad
the people have been made poor
giving money.
At Kamakura is one OF the no.
ted sights in Japan. This a
bronze statute 80 feet high. To
give you some idea of the size,
two men can sit on the thumb
with ease. The eyes are of gold
and measure three feet.
The fastest trains in Japan run
! about24 miles an hour. The day
coaches are all built according to
European style, but the sleeping
cars are OF American make and
are very comfortable. The road
bed is good but the track is mar
row guage. One feature | S
pecially noted along the route is
the amount OF tunnel cut through
the mountains and instead of one
tunnel for two tracks, in every
instance there were two cut,
hence causing a great amount Of
unnecessary engineering.
| spent three weeks in the land
of flowers and sailed from Kobe
the first of June.
After a five days voyage, | ar
rived IN Shanghai, the most pros
porous city in the far East. NV
stay was only two days but that
was enough for me to fall COM
Ipletely in love with the place.
Bubbling Wells Road, one of the
streets, is the prettiest drive |
ever saw. One day and d half
out from Shanghai, we noticed
that the ocean was becoming.
muddy, this being caused by the
Yangtse Kiang river. Shanghai
is 10 miles up this river and is
reached by small boats. / took
a great deal OF pleasure in study
ing the character of the Chinese
in one of their cities. The Chi
nese are not so bad, | have more
respect for them now than ever
before. They are honest and
can be relied on. After a six
days sail we arrived in Manila.
and thus ended a voyage filled
with pleasure and study.
w. T. RoANE.
Notice fn Rri.ioe Ruridarx