The Sun. — 1861-09-30 (London, England)

OUTRAGE IN JAPAN.  We receive with the China mails the North China Herald, containing an account of the murderous attack made, on the night of the sth July, on the members of the British Legation at Japan. On the 4th inst. (July) the whole party, excepting Mr. de Wit (the Netherlands Consul-General), proceeded to Yedo, being met half-way at a place called Kavasaki, by the whole staff of the Legation—Mr. Oliphant (newly arrived Secretary of Legation), Mr. Russell (a nephew of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs), also just arrived in Japan, and other gentlemen—an easy occasion, had it been sought, to dispose at one coup of Ministers, consuls, and attaches. They were allowed, however, to reach Yedo in safety, and to secure an instalment of that rest which they doubtless needed after three and thirty consecutive days' journeying, But "one swallow does not make a spring," and one night's slumber is not sufficient to recruit a weary frame. Soon after dinner, I am told, on the evening of the sth, the chief rose from the table to retire, saying that the day just closing had been the most fatiguing of all (owing to the multitudinous affairs to be attended to), and he had so many hours to sleep to recover. The rest of the company also retired. They, however, shortly assembled again in the garden to admire the comet, which dispersing clouds exposed to view. Most fortunately was this so, for the dominion of sleep was thus postponed a little longer, tending, with other circumstances, to the preservation of their lives. Whilst they were so engaged a murderous band of ruffians, or heroes, (in whichever light they may be veiwed), was approaching its unconscious victims. In less than an hour thereafter those who were awake were disturbed by sounds as of wrangling and conflict, which mingled in the dreams of those who as Set but lightly slept. But they were sounds which did not admit of continued slumber— sounds whose terrific significance could not but open the drowsiest eyes. r The Legation is a straggling sort of bungalow, open to the garden at the back, and having passages leading through from stables, kitchens, and in fact any direction. At the front there is a large portico door, a feature of all temple architecture, but except to those who come in that particular direction no obstacle to free entrance or exit. A Japanese house consists of a roof supported upon beams and wooden posts, divided into rooms and passages by paper screens which slide in grooves between the posts. The transverse beams are generally at a height of about sft. Gin. from the floor. Such a building is the temple at Yedo occupied by the British Legation. The Minister's bedroom is at the rear corner looking out on the garden, and just beyond the dining and drawing rooms, which do so likewise. The other bedrooms are mostly on either side of a tortuous passage leading from the entrance door to the dining room. Just beyond the entrance door is a chamber of the priests, opening by a screen into the hall or main passage. Here Mr. Morrison's Chinese servant was sleeping. The noiso which aroused the sleepers and awakened all to the impending peril was a determined effort to burst open the main door, upon which (as described) the blows fell like a discharge of musketry. A legion seemed to be at the work. I should think, if there was time for any sensation, those who appreciated the reality of tho attack must have felt the cold hand of death—and such a death—upon them. Japanese assassins, reckless of their own lives, seldom leave their work unfinished, and here they were with clamour and yell within a few paces of their destined prey. While yet the door stood fast the Chinaman saw the screen of the priests' room slide open, and a man in complete armour, with sword in hand, come for• ward. He did not wait to see more, but with great