from the Swiss Republic, was a passenger with me from Hakodadi to Shanghae. He had with him several volumes of coloured sketches of the birds, reptiles, insects, and flowers of Japan, the work of Dr. Kurimoto Tzuiken, the chief physician of the Tycoon, and the most learned naturalist of Japan, When Dr. Lindan exhibited these sketches to us we were amazed. Not only is every hair and feather delineated, and the colouring rich and various, but the attitudes and actions of the birds and insects are full of nature and spirit. The silver hues of the insects' wings are so given that they glisten to the eye. The flowers seem prepared for microscopic observation. I am wrong in saying that these are the work of Dr. Kurimoto alone. They were begun by his grandfather, continued by his father, and completed by himself. Of the tea and silk culture we see nothing on the seaboard. But the rice fields, the wheat fields, and the fields of the rape seed are everywhere before the eye. Of the birds I can only say that they are numerous and noisy, and that the Japanese pheasant is the most exquisite thing I ever set eyes on. Japan is the most fruitful in evergreens of any land I have ever seen or heard of. At Nagasaki and Kanagawa, and in short distances from them, I found, in abundance, the white pine, the pitch pine, the ground pine, a delicate creeping pine, cedars of various kinds, a tree resembling the hemlock, the arbor vitæ, species of fir and spruce, the juniper, the savin, the yew tree, the holly, and the cryptomia, japonica, and box trees. The oak and the laurel are common. Hedges are made of the box and the civit. Camelias of every size and hue abound, and the double flowering cherry and peach. The English ivy and the climbing box grow everywhere, and the dense foliage, the creeping plants, and the hedges give a delightful air to the scenery, more home-like and reposing than the richest luxuriance of the tropics. Missionaries, strictly speaking, there are none. Since the utter extermination of Christianity in blood and fire, in the seventeenth century, missionaries have been prohibited. By the late treaties they allow foreigners to build churches and practice their worship within the limits assigned for their residence; but they tolerate no preaching or teaching to the natives, nor the circulation of religious books. Two Roman Catholic clergymen, the Abbe Girard and the Abbe Wernet, are residing in Japan, sent by the society "Les Missions Etrangeres," but confine themselves to learning the language and religious habits of the people, to the removing of prejudices, and the gaining of personal influence, in the hope of better days. Two of Bishop Boon's clergy, for the American Episcopal Church Mission at Shanghae, are at Nagasaki, and there are two missionaries of the Dutch Reformed Church of the United States. All these confine themselves within the limits I have named, and so strictly that they do not explain their faith even to a Japanese who comes voluntarily for inquiry, knowing that such an act might imperil the Japanese and end their own residence here, or render it useless. The people at home must not delude themselves into the belief that any strictly missionary work is doing or can be done in Japan. No clergymen are of any service here but scholars and gentlemen,-men who can master the language and literature of Japan, get an insight into the genius of its institutions, gain personal influence, remove prejudice, and prepare the way for the future. Now that the Japanese embassy has returned home, having relanded at Yeddo on our Lord Mayor's day, a sketch of the company composing it shall conclude these gleanings, and for this we will make use of an account of them at Honolulu, the first place they visited after leaving Japan. The remarks of the Commercial Advertiser, in which we find the following, appear very apposite, and in the event of such an embassy coming to our Court, will convey a tolerable idea of what we may expect, an event which the yet closed fruitful volume of time may have in store for us. This embassy consists of two ambassadors plenipotentiary, who are nobles or princes of the highest rank. With these are two others of nearly equal rank, a censor and a vice-governor. The duty of these latter officers is to act as spies, or reporters of the conduct of the ambassadors and others employed in the commission, and also to report anything that may pass under their observation. The number com prising the embassy may be considered to be very large, consisting, as it does, of seventy-two persons, viz., two ambassadors, one censor, one vice-governor, sixteen under officers and secretaries, and fifty-two servants or soldiers, viz. : 1. Ambassador-Simme-Bujen-no-kami. 2. Ambassador-Muragake-Awage-no-kami. 3. Chief Censor (or spy)-Ogure-Bungo-no-kami. 4. Vice-Governor-Morita Okataro. Officers of the 1st rank belonging to the Ambassadors-Naruse Gensiro, Skahara Jhugoro. Officers of the 1st rank belonging to the Censor-Hetaka Keisaburo, Osakabe Tetstaro. Under Officers belonging to the Ambassadors-Matsmoto Sannojio, Yosida Sagosaimou. Under Officers of the Vice-Governor-Masudu Sunjuro, Tuge Hosingoro. Under Officers of the Censor-Kuri-sima-hico-hatsiro, Sewo-sawaScogero. Officer and Chief Interpreter-Namura Gohatsiro. It must be remembered that the Japanese, as well as the Chinese dignitaries, think that high rank demands a large retinue. The same ideas prevail with our native nobility, as well as with most semi-civil ized people. Before starting, the Japanese were assured that a train of servants would be annoying in travelling through the United States. But they were unable to comprehend the argument, and demanded that they should be allowed to travel according to their custom. Whatever we may think of this people, comparing them with ourselves, they are by no means ignorant, and those who compose this embassy and who are probably a fair representation of their countrymen, appear to be educated and communicative, and compare well with foreigners. Their costumes are novel to us, it is true, but they are skilful and intelligent for all that. A steam propeller of 300 tons, is being constructed by the Japanese, similar to that recently presented to them by the Dutch, and in which Captain Brooke, late of the Fennimore Cooper, took passage for San Francisco, for which port he had left before the Powhatan sailed from Japan. This circumstance shows that the arts among them are well advanced, and that they are capable of doing what foreigners can do, if rightly directed. We have met some of these officials on several occasions, and have found them very pleasant and exceedingly inquisitive. In fact, this appears to be their most noticeable trait, extreme curiosity, and a desire to see and examine everything. One of the ambassadors, accompanied by the censor, an interpreter, and eight or ten others, visited our printing rooms, and examined the presses, &c. Then in the book store they were much amused with the large and neatly printed books, as well as the pictures, and many curious objects in the stationary line. Proceeding into the post office, they were shown the style of letters passing to foreign countries and the various stamps used, and when informed that any letters they might wish to send to Japan would be forwarded via Hongkong, procured some stamps and promised to write. An artist also accompanied the above, who appeared intently observant of everything. Before entering, we found he had sketched the outline of the arched gateway before the post office. We requested the privilege of looking over his sketchbook, which he cheerfully allowed. His sketches consist mostly of outline etching. In his book we found parts of the steamer's machinery, scenes on deck, individual portraits, outlines of the islands, and our harbour. The portrait of old Kamehameha the Great, hanging in the Hall of Representatives, has been transferred to his book. There we found, too, Kinney's hay cart and horse all in motion, also a loaded dray. In the printing office he sketched a compositor setting type, with the stand, case, &c.,-all done in one minute. But one of the finest of his pictures was that of "serving grog" on board the Powhatan. Here he represents a group of fifteen or twenty tars, each with a cup, some drinking, some dipping into the container, some smacking their lips,-the expressions perfectly natural and life-like. Frank Leslie or Harper would give a day's receipts of their illustrated papers for this artist's sketchbook. Next he visited Howland's ambrotype rooms, where he was requested to sit for his portrait. This he declined, saying that when he had shaved, and put on another suit NO. 3.-VOL. Xxx. 8 of clothes, he would return and sit for it. Looking over the pictures which were lying on the table, he spied the likeness of Mr. Kern, artist on board the Fennimore Cooper. This he instantly recognized, and was perfectly delighted to find that that gentleman had been here. He had met him in Japan, and became acquainted with him. If our Japanese visitors are so taken up with the ordinary sights of Honolulu, what will become of them when they witness the splendid views and sights of Broadway? Immediately on the arrival of the Powhatan, the French Hotel was engaged for the use of the embassy, and during the afternoon of Monday they came on shore. His Majesty the King, with that public spirit and hospitality for which he is so well known, immediately engaged the vacant Dudoit premises, and fitted them up, furnishing them with the best furniture that could be obtained, for the use of the ambassadors, during their stay here. The Queen's carriage and horses appear also to have been placed at their disposal, as we have seen the ambassadors riding about in it. This special attention to these Japanese dignitaries on the part of our sovereign, is certainly praiseworthy, and can only leave on the minds of these visitors the most pleasant recollections of Hawaii and her King. It must be a matter of pride to every American that his country has been the first to induce the Japanese to break through their ancient notions, and recognize the existence of nations of equal strength and importance. Except what they may have learned from returned Japanese and others, the rulers of Japan have hitherto been unable to comprehend that there are nations advanced far beyond them in every sphere of civilization. To dispel this ignorance, caused by the policy of exclusion pursued by that government, the visit of this embassy to the United States will do more than anything else. It is instructed to record and report, for the information of the Emperor, all that is seen. It is amply provided with secretaries, artists and draughtsmen to report everything, and illustrate their progress with views and sketches. It is easy to imagine how eagerly their return will be looked for by their countrymen, and with what intense interest the report of their expedition will be read. If published, as in other countries, the sensation it would produce would far eclipse that of either Dr. Kane's or Captain M'Clintock's voyage to the Arctic. But, as the policy of the Japanese government has been, from time immemorial, to keep the masses in profound ignorance of foreign countries, it is not likely that they will depart from it in this instance, but that the information will be kept only for the use of the go vernment. There can be no question but that the visit of this embassy will result favourably in opening Japan to foreign intercourse, though it may be years before it has that effect. It will be impossible for these ambassadors to return to their country without obtaining new ideas about foreigners, and perhaps reporting favourably of the knowledge, wealth, and skill of the American people, as compared with their own. And it is more than likely that they will recommend the re moval of every obstacle in the way af trade and travel with the United States, and perhaps Europe. This must rapidly increase the trade with that people, which is now springing up, and which meets with many obstacles. The empire of Japan has a population of 40,000,000,-one third larger than either the United States or England. To supply this population with the products of European manufacture, will in time create a trade as extensive, perhaps, as that now existing with China. The United States government pays the entire expense of the Japanese embassy, both in going to and returning from Washington. This will be no small item, but the fact that it is the first foreign embassy that has left Japan, and also that she is the only nation that has succeeded as yet in inducing the Japanese to send out a foreign embassy, will give her an honour which will more than compensate for any outlay required for it. EXTRACTS FROM A LECTURE ON THE LATE ROYAL VISIT,-Delivered before the Young Men's Christian Association and Literary Institute, Charlottetown, December 13th, 1860, by the President, Captain Orlebar, R.N. For the first time in the annals of our country, the heir apparent of the British crown, at the early age of eighteen, and as the first step in official life, has been called on by the Queen, and the voice of her subjects on this side of the Atlantic, to cross the wide ocean, to gratify the colonists by his welcome presence, and to inaugurate the completion of the great tubular bridge over the St. Lawrence, a gigantic structure, costing two millions sterling, and surpassing in grandeur and skill any work of art on this continent. A voyage of 2,000 miles across the Atlantic is not what it once was, especially when undertaken on board of a splendid first class screw line-of-battle ship; but it is not without its perils and its discomforts, and it is not likely that any other Queen but Queen Victoria would have parted with her eldest son for such a purpose, or conceded so much to the wishes of her subjects. After suitable preparations, the Prince and his suite embarked on board one of our noblest screw steam ships of war, the Hero, carrying eighty guns, and accompanied by a monster frigate, called the Ariadne, of great power and swiftness, and a despatch steamer, called the Flying Fish. Great care was taken to arrange beforehand the programme of the visit, so as to economise time; and it is remarkable that every appointment as to date and time, although extending over three months, was punctually kept; and thus in that short space of time, by the blessing of God, every one of the North American colonies has been |