Year: 1860

"A japanese Dlspatcn HOmcs


Although, says the Philadelphia Inquirer,
our Washington correspondent has been
unable thus far to obtain any copies of the
Japanese dispatches to their government a
gentleman of this city has been fortunate
enough to obtain the sight of friendly let
ter of one of the commissioners to an ac-
quaintance in Niphon. Under promise to
conceal the name of the writer, he has been
authorised to publish it, and has kindly
placed it in our hands. We insert it be-
low:


FROM THE SACRED CITY OF WASHINGTON.
Most Esteemed Hakodadi We have
been invited to visit next in order, the great
city of Philadelphia, or, ''the place conse-
Grated to national affection" the capital of
the province which is the birth place of the
American Tycoon. Our reception, we are
informed, will be attended with the most
august ceremonies that the city ever offers
to its distinguished guests. The Council
men, after examining our credentials, have
decided to place us on footing with 1.-The
most favored foreign Fire Companies.
The details of our reception by the Ameri-
can Tycoon, you have in my former letter.
He is called, not Tycoon, but "President,"
sometimes, however, by strange analogy
of language, "old coon." l at first tho't
this an attempt to pronounce our Japanese
phrase but am assured that it is strictly i'd
iomatic, and implies astutencss and age. 1t
certainly seemed applicable to the head of
the nation who received us.


We find it very difficult to comply with
the demands of our sovereign, forbidding
us to touch the women of this country
Not from any disposition on our part to dis
obey. but from their dosiro to oe;no ,.s by
our hands. They are apparently allowed
nere the greatest freedom, but it is only in
appearance.


Every woman, married or single, is fast
ened in cage of bamboo or flexible steel,
extending from the waist to the feet. This
seems to be so arranged as to give them no
uneasincss, but they are ever much ashamed
of it, and conceal it under so many cover
ings, that it renders their appearance quite
ludicrous. They are unrestricted as to the
upper part of their persons, which they are
permitted to expose as much as they wish
This they seem to avail themselves of, and
on all occasions of high ceremony wear very
low dresses. As in all barbarous nations,
they slit their ears and suspend from them
ornaments of gold and silver They also
paint and powder themselves and after
greasing their hair, twist it into fantastic
shapes, and fasten it up with long pins and
combs. Some of them would be fine look
ing if they did not disfgure themselves by
the hideors aild vulgar custom of wearing
eyebrows and keeping their teeth white.
BE assured, therefore, that we are in no
danger of being captivatcd by their appear
ance; we feel nothing but regret that the
barbarous and absurd custom of man sho'd
thus destroy the charms which cultivation
and refinement would so much improve
Nothing strikes us so much as the want
Of respect these barbarians show even to
their highest dignitaries they never hesi-
tate to spit before them, and it requires
considerable activity to prevent being spit
upon at all times. The custom Of wearing
one sword, it seems, originated from this
cause, rs 1t enables you to avoid with greater
facility the saliva of your neighbor. Chew
ing tobacco is much priced, it seems, from
the saliva it produces, which is preserved
when possible, in handsome vases of por-
celain, and placed in prominent positions
None of the inhabitants do reverence by
crawling on their bellies, except after the
election of the new Tycoon, when those in
search Of Office come to the central city and
perform that ceremony. Those who arc
fortunate enough to meet with honor from
the Tycoon, seldom walk uprightly during
their whole term of Office. The unfortunate
applicants become at once censors or spies
upon the others, and their silence has to be
bought at a high price. All public servants
have their price, which rises or falls accor-
ding to the necessities of the Tycoon. But
I shall reserve my reflections on political
topics till have another opportunity to ad-
dress you. Until then, rest in peace.