From the North British Review. JAPAN AND THE JAPANESE.* WE are indebted to the elaborate | information as to the country and its inwork of the Dutch physician, Englebert habitants, were even more formidable at Kaempfer, for the first reliable information regarding Japan and Japanese. When Kampfer visited Japan, the Dutch EastIndia Company enjoyed a monopoly of its commerce, and were in high favor with both rulers and people. "This offspring of Japhet," says the good physician quaintly, "enjoys, more than any other nation, the blessing of Noah, to live in the tents of Shem, and to have Canaan for their servant. God hath so blessed their valor and conduct, that they enlarged their trade, conquests, and possessions, throughout Asia, to the very extremities of the East, and there hath never been wanting among them a succession of prudent and able men, who have promoted their interest and welfare to the utmost of their capacity." The obstacles in the way of obtaining correct that time than they now are. But the "prudence and ability" lauded by their historian, overcame these. "The difficulties," he wrote, "are very great, but not altogether insuperable. They may be overcome by proper management, even notwithstanding all the precautions that the Japanese Government have taken to the contrary. The Japanese, a prudent and valiant nation, are not so easily bound by an oath taken to such gods or spirits as are worshiped by many, and unknown to most. If they do comply with it, it is more for fear of punishment, which would inevitably attend them, if betrayed. Besides, their pride and warlike humor being set aside, they are civil, as polite and curious a nation as any in the world, naturally inclined to commerce and familiarity with foreigners, and desirous, to excess, to be informed of their histories, * Personal Narrative of a Voyage to Japan, Kamt-arts, and sciences. There is no other way schatka, Siberia, Tartary, and various parts of the Coast of China; in H.M.S. Barracouta. By J. M. TRONSON, R. N. With Charts and Views. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1858. A Cruise in Japanese Waters. By Captain OsBORN, R.N. Edinburgh: William Blackwood & Sons. 1859. Notes on Japan. By LAURENCE OLIPHANT, F.R.GS. (Read in Section E, British Association for the Advancement of Science, Aberdeen, 16th September, 1859.) The History of Japan; Giving an account of that Empire; Of its Temples, Palaces, Castles, and other Buildings; Of its Metals, Minerals, TreesPlants, Animals, Birds, and Fishes: Of the Chronology and Succession of the Emperors, Ecclesiastical and Secular; Of the Original Descent, Religious Customs, and Manufactures of the Natives, and of their Trade and Commerce with the Dutch and Chinese. Together with a Description of the Kingdom of Siam. Written in High Dutch. By ENGELBERTUS KEMPFER, M.D., Physician to the Dutch Embassy to the Emperor's Court: and Translated from his Original Manuscript, never before printed. By J. G. SCHENCHZER, F.R.S., and a Member of the Collego of Physicians, London. London: 1728, 2 vols. folio. This work was published by subscription, under the patronage of the Royal Society, and the Ancient and Present State and Government of bears the imprimatur of Hans Sloane, the Presi dent. to gain their friendship, and to win them over to our interest, but a willingness to comply with their desire, a liberality to please their avaricious inclinations, and a submissive conduct to flatter their vanity. It was by this means I worked myself into such friendship and familiarity with our interpreters, and the officers of our island, as I believe none before me can boast of. Liberally assisting, as I did, with my advice and medicines, with what information I was able to give them in astronomy and mathematics, and with a cordial and plentiful supply of European liquors, I could also, in my turn, freely put to them what questions I pleased about the affairs of their country, whether relating to their government, in civil or ecclesiastical affairs, to the customs of the natives, to the natural and political history, and there was none that ever refused to give me all the information he could, even when we were alone, in such things which they are otherwise strictly charged to keep secret." The means thus had recourse to, while illustrative of the | however, less interesting on this account. habits of the Dutch in all their inter- The writers look at the country from course with the natives, from the moment they set foot upon Japanese soil till now, were not such as we might have expected from one who, in his preface, could piously talk of the "Sons of Japhet dwelling in the tents of Shem." We are, however, most willing to wink at the awkward confessions in Master Kampfer's preface, and to add our wreath of gratitude to the many that hang around the Dutchman's memory, whenever we get fairly into his most substantial, trustworthy, and useful work. Like that of most of the old voyagers, who have told the tale of their wanderings, Kampfer's narrative testifies to such a laborious conscientiousness in gathering and in relating information, as sets it in strong contrast with the sketchy volumes of most recent travelers. There is a massiveness about it which fully makes up for its want of ornament. It is as unlike in style, and in the multitude of its facts, to modern "voyages," as the square-built, pavilion-roofed mansionhouse, which, as it rests trustingly on broad solid foundations, is suggestive of lasting comfort and strength, is to a spruce villa in a fashionable watering-place or suburb, whose foundations are on the surface, and whose walls present as many pointed gables as there are days in the month. In the one we could find a home; in the other a place for a week in summer. How seldom do the lovers of travel-talk return to recent books for amusement and information! How often such pages as those of Kampfer have been lovingly perused by the same eyes, and lingered over with an affection like that which we cherish for dear old friends! The first thing that will occur to the reader of the recent works on Japan, if we regard them in the light of Kompfer's volumes, is, that the country of the two emperors, with its men distrustful of foreigners, yet "curious to excess" as to all their arts and sciences, and its women over-lavish of their charms, continues to this day unchanged in all respects from what it was when the inquiring eyes of the Dutch physician watched its characteristics among the people of Nagasaki. Neither Mr. Osborn's able and dashing sketches, nor Mr. Tronson's fact-full work, admits us to much with which we were not already acquainted in the pages of Engelbert Kaempfer. Their volumes are not, other points of view. They go to their work under other motives; they embark in it more or less accomplished in present literature and science; and, above all, they write for us as men whose thoughts have been molded in the midst of more generous influences than those around Kampfer. As will be seen from the title page quoted in a note, Kampfer's work contains a description of Siam, a country over which, previous to his labors, much light had been shed by the writings of the Abbé de Choisy, Nicolas Gervais, and other Frenchmen. The Dutch physician's account contains much information which had been beyond the reach of the accomplished men who formed the French Em bassy to the Court of Siam, in 1684. But Dr. Kampfer devoted all his strength and resources to the description of Japan and the Japanese. His volumes are illustrated by engravings on wood, which, though rude and not very effective, especially when dealing with objects of natural history, give us somewhat more distinct views of the things referred to than we could have formed from the letter-press. He enters minutely into the boundaries of the empire, mentions the characteristics of its sea-board, and names its principal islands. It turns out, however, that not much help can be got by modern travelers from Kampfer's description; and it may ultimately be found that the native maps, from which he got his information, had been drawn up for the special behoof of foreigners, and may be only as trustworthy as the descriptions of the first Napoleon's marches and countermarches, his commissariat and his men, which were duly recorded in the Moniteur for the information of Britain. His speculations on the origin of the Japanese, and the abundant details which he gives of their superstitions and traditions, are full of interest, as suggestive of one point and another which directs our attention to the historical portions of the Bible. Striking off from a common center, it might have been expected that the wanderers to the east and the west, to the north and the south, would carry with them the history of the past, up to the time when they were separated from each other. It is true, that the traditions which put us in mind of the Scripture account of Eden, of the Deluge, of the sons of Noah, and the like, are often seen looming | taken care of when they fall sick. with them. Dr. Kampfer enters fully into the natural history and industrial resources of Japan. Among the metals, he enumerates gold, silver, iron, copper, tin; and among its minerals, coal, sulphur, antimony, agate, etc. With forest-trees, shrubs, flowers, and grains, it is well supplied. Like most other countries, it possesses not only a rich imaginative zoology, but a true one also, equally rich. He enumerates itt "gorgons, hydras, and chimæras dire," gives drawings of them, which would almost force one to the painful historical alternative, either that we have borrowed the most picturesque of our heraldic devices from the Japanese, or that they have borrowed them from us! Among the real animals, the dog had, in his day, a happy time of it another evidence of remote affinities with the West, as every spoiled poodle might testify! "Since the now reigning emperor came to the throne," wrote Kaempfer, in 1691, "there are more dogs bred in Japan than perhaps in any one country whatever, and than there were before, even in this empire. They have their masters, indeed, but lie about the streets, and are very troublesome to passengers and travelers. Every street must, by special command of the emperor, keep a certain number of these animals, and provide them with victuals. There are huts built in every street, where they are Those that die must be carried up to the tops of mountains and hills, as the usual buryingplaces, and very decently interred. Nobody may, under severe penalties, insult or abuse them; and to kill them is a capital crime, whatever mischief they do. This extraordinary care for the preservation of the dog-kind is the effect of a superstitious fancy of the now reigning emperor, who was born in the sign of the Dog, (the reader is desired to take notice, that the Dog is one of the twelve celestial signs of the Japanese,) and hath for this reason so great an esteem for this animal, as the great Roman emperor Augustus Cæsar is reported in histories to have had for the ram. The natives tell a pleasant tale on this head. A Japanese, as he was carrying up the dead carcass of a dog to the top of a mountain, in order to its burial, grew impatient, grumbled, cursed the emperor's birthday and whimsical commands. His companion, though sensible of the justice of his complaints, bid him hold his tongue and be quiet, and instead of cursing and swearing, return thanks to the gods that the emperor was not born in the sign of the horse, because, in that case, the load would have been much heavier." It were peculiarly pleasant to tarry over the pages of worthy Dr. Kampfer, but it is time to deal with the volumes named above. We are indebted to members of the Royal Navy for two of the contributions to our knowledge of Japan, now under notice. Mr. Tronson's work is not confined to descriptions of Japan and the Japanese. China, the Russian settlements on the Amoor, the coasts of Siberia, and Kamtschatka, equally with the richly picturesque islands which make up the kingdom of Japan, have special attention devoted to them. Few works of travel have come under our notice which bear such a decided testimony to the ability of their authors as this does to Mr. Tronson's. Without any attempts at fine writing, the style is always vigor. ous and clear. His volume is full of useful information regarding the shores along which he cruised, and this is communicated in such a way as never to be felt tedious. The Botany, Mineralogy, and Zoology of the points at which the Barracouta touched, are described in a manner which bears witness to the varied scientific attainments of the author. We wish "Early on the morning of the 8th the ships weighed anchor, and proceeded to the middle harbor, which is prettily situated, and within sight of the city of Nagasaki, and of the Dutch ded with numerous islets, thrown up at random by some volcanic action: they are covered by the pine, camphor-tree, and luxuriant camellia. All the islets, with one or two exceptions, were fortified; and some rejoiced in three rows of guns, placed one over the other-the upper tier so high as to be perfectly harmless in repelling an invading force. In the distance we settlement. The surface of the water was stud to call special attention to this, as it is a feature not frequently met with in the works of recent voyagers. Nevertheless, it is that for which most people look, and which, even to non-scientific readers, is ever interesting, and forms a good background for pictures of men and manners. We like Mr. Tronson's volume for another reason there is nothing of that constant aiming at being sailor-like, which we so often meet with in the of pages authors who write R.N. after their names. could see the city, which has a southern aspect, Jack, under discipline, well-informed, and is backed by a range of mountains. Cultiaccustomed by training to exercise self-vation of every accessible spot of land seemed control, and educated to check impulse to be the order of the day. Beautiful fields by a habit of reflection, is a much more were covered with rich crops, now turning yellovable and companionable individual low, the useful batata, (Batata Convolvulus,) than those model midshipmen and mates, Zea Mays, turnips, and radishes; the pine, cycaptains and commodores, whom the press, and yew, were seen in clusters, groves, Naval novelists have done so much to im- bamboo adorned the valleys. Owing to the and plantations; and the long and graceful mortalize, men whose companionship afloat steepness of the hills, and the frequent rains in would never fail to call up the wish of Gon- spring, the land is cultivated in terraces, which, zalo:* "How would I give a thousand from a distance, have a pretty appearance; and furlongs of sea for an acre of barren ground; neat tea-gardens and houses are seen in each long heath, brown furze, any thing." sheltered spot."—P. 7. "On the 17th of September, 1854," says Mr. Tronson, "Sir James Sterling's squadron, consisting of H.M. ships, Winchester, 50, flag; Encounter, screwsteamer, 14; Styx, paddle-wheel, 6; and Barracouta, paddle-wheel, 6 guns, sailed from the Yang-tez-o-kiang, for Japan." The squadron had been waiting for some time for the arrival of the Jean D'Arc, with the French Admiral on board, it having been determined to make a united hostile visit to the Russian territories on the Coasts of Tartary, Siberia, and Kamtschatka. Through, as it was believed, the treachery of a Chinese pilot, the Jean D'Arc had run aground, and having received considerable damage, she had to put in Shanghai for repairs. The year would have been too far advanced to visit the Russian settlements in the north had H.M. ships waited for the French Admiral. In these circumstances a visit to Japan was determined on. On the afternoon of the same day they sighted Kiusiu, one of the principal islands of Japan. Having reached the Bay of Pappenberg, (the outer anchorage of Nagasaki,) they were visited by Japanese officials, who questioned them on the object of their visit and their intended stay, and ordered them to anchor at a distance from the shore. *The Tempest, Act I. The Japanese are a highly intelligent and industrious people."Content with their own laws, institutions, and natural productions," they seem to feel that other nations could not add to their resources, and are shy and reserved in their intercourse with foreigners. But to these characteristics they add great inquisitiveness. This is illustrated once and again in Mr. Tronson's narrative, and also in Captain Osborn's sketches, as we shall have occasion to remark. "By degrees," says our author, "the timidity of the natives wore off, and we had frequent visits from officers, some on duty, others from curiosity, which they in vain endeavor to repress. The machinery of the Barracouta appeared to puzzle them. They asked permission to take drawings of the various cylinders, pistons, cranks, etc.; and through the courtesy of Mr. Boulton, the chief engineer, they were enabled to obtain plans, which gave them infinite delight." Here is a peep at the two great classes into which the Japanese population is generally divided: "There is a marked contrast between the working class and officials; the former, of fair average hight, are athletic and healthy-lookingfellows; the upper part of the body being muscular and well-developed, and, from continual exercise, bronzed by constant exposure to the sun and every variety of weather. They are pure specimens of the Mongol race, with high cheek-bones, small oblique eyes, jet-black hair, and scanty beards. The crown of the head is shorn, and the hair, gathered from the back and sides, is formed into a short tail, which, being drawn forwards, is depressed and fastened over the shorn part. They wear a slight turban, which is tied into a knot over the forehead. The rest of the dress is rather primitive: a simple girdle of blue cotton around the waist, with a cross-piece attached, passing between the legs; and a pair of footless stockings of blue and white cotton, extended from the ankle to within a couple of inches of the knees, complete the attire. In rainy weather a loose cloak, made from the leaves of the bamboo, and a hat, from the stems of the same plant, serve to keep out some of the rain. They are a friendly and good-humored-looking class. "The officials with whom we came in contact were reserved at first, but very polite and courteous in their bearing; they salute strangers on approaching or retiring with a low bow, and an exclamation of ō-hi-oh! which is a usual salutation, without much meaning. They are thin, pale, and emaciated in appearance, as if from the excessive use of tobacco and indolent habits, as they seldom take any exercise; but their eyes are bright and intelligent. They vary their dress according to the season; and in the present autumn the dress is peculiarly suited to the climate a loose thin robe of dark material, made from wool and silk is fastened over a loose summit afforded a place for athletic sports. I recognized many familiar plants, which are carefully cultivated in greenhouses at home: camellia japonica, azalea, rhododendron, many species of fig-tree, the cypress, and cedar; bindweeds of many varieties, acacias, the rose and briar, the humble coltsfoot and trefoil, and thirteen species of ferns; also the bamboo, and cruciform and ambelliferous plants: in fact, it formed a small botanical garden, and created an eager desire to see something more of Japan. Here also was food for the geologist and naturalist; pieces of pumice on the beach, and grumous masses of trap-rock thrown up in various directions, told of the origin of the island; various shells, from the most minute to the large royal crab, invited the conchologist to learn something of the shelly inhabitants of the waters. The thrush and goldfinch intermingle their notes, occasionally interrupted by the very unmusical crow, which keeps up, from early dawn, a most discordant strain. Where the birds roost at night I know not; but on their appearance in the morning, they bring a supply of small red berries, which they drop on the decks; these, when bruised, have a delightful perfume, and are, according to the authority of M. Gasgovitch, mountain-pepper-Piper Montana."-P. 13. On the 4th of October, Admiral Stirling was admitted to a conference with the pair of trowsers, of similar material, but lighter governor of Nagasaki; and an agreement in color. On the left side the swords are thrust was come to regarding a basis for a treaty between Great Britain and Japan. Much through the girdle; and on the right depend a copper ink-bottle and pen-holder, and the ever-preparation had been made on shore, in needful pipe and tobacco-pouch. A pair of slip-order to hide all that was possible to hide pers, generally made from rice-straw, are put of the state of the country from the off and on at pleasure, when on board ship, or British. Both American and Russian in the Government boats. An official mark is agents had before had dealings with the governor, who, no doubt, had been enlightened on British annexations in general, and, as was afterwards found, had got a not very favorable view of the hostility of the Allies to Russia. Thus Mr. Tronson tells us that: stamped on the back of the robe; and if the wearer happens to be a grandee, his own armorial bearings are also imprinted on the dress."-P. 11. The Japanese authorities were anxious to keep the members of the squadron as long as possible unacquainted with the country, expecting, perhaps, to wear out their patience by delay, and thus get rid of them altogether. If they were actuated by such motives, they mistook their men. Admiral Sterling informed them, that if a speedy answer from the imperial government did not reach him soon, he would proceed at once to the capital. While waiting, permission was granted to the officers and men of the squadron to land on the small island Nazumasima, which was honored with a new name on the occasion-Little Britain. "It is less than half a mile in circumference, one of the smallest in the port that is inhabited, nearly covered with fir. An open glade on the stood that England was a very small country in "A plain-spoken official said, that he underthe western seas, strong by sea, and that the natives lived by plundering the ships of peaceable nations, and compelling all to pay tribute. We took considerable pains to enlighten our ig norant friend, and to explain by maps the outlines and courses of the British empire, enumerating the various peoples acknowledging the land's mission was to proclaim peace and goodsway of Queen Victoria; and adding, that Engwill towards all, to defend the right and protect the weak, to promote civilization over the globe, and to relieve the oppressed. He remarked, that all we said was very good, but why go to war with Russia; England and France against one power? I said that we did not wish to go to war with Russia, but that Turkey, being a weak power and a weak ally, it was necessary |