. Narrative of the Earl of Elgin's mission to China and Japan in the years 1857, '58, '59 . whose mats were all neatly arrangedround it. The lower deck was empty, with theexception of a few stores and water-casks. Under a high poop astern was the captains entered it, and found two or three naval dignitariessquatted upon the floor drinking tea; one of these weafterwards discovered to be the Admiral-in-Chief of theImperial navy. He was appointed one of the Commis-sioners to treat with Lord Elgin, and proved to be amost intelligent person. We had no idea that theplain-looking group befor
. Narrative of the Earl of Elgin's mission to China and Japan in the years 1857, '58, '59 . whose mats were all neatly arrangedround it. The lower deck was empty, with theexception of a few stores and water-casks. Under a high poop astern was the captains entered it, and found two or three naval dignitariessquatted upon the floor drinking tea; one of these weafterwards discovered to be the Admiral-in-Chief of theImperial navy. He was appointed one of the Commis-sioners to treat with Lord Elgin, and proved to be amost intelligent person. We had no idea that theplain-looking group before us contained so important apersonage; and in answer to a polite invitation to jointheir party, we twisted our legs under us, receivedfrom them pipes containing homoeopathic doses oftobacco in exchange for our cigars, and refreshedourselves with some delicious tea. Unfortunately, wewere compelled to confine our observations to smack-ing our lips and puffing out smoke, for we werewithout an interpreter. We did, indeed, ultimately,by the exercise of great intelligence on both sides, get. JAPANESE JUNKS. 101 SO far as to learn the Japanese numerals up to ten, andteach them the English ; but the intellectual effort wastoo great to be sustained ; and we parted with feelingsof mutual relief, and the warmest expressions of good-will, as conveyed in our mother tongue. The cabinin which we had been entertained was devoid offurniture, as rooms in Japan always are; but the matswere soft, and there was an air of comfort and clean-liness about the apartment. It was built apparentlyof fir-wood, the carpentering of perfect workmanship. We now made for the left-hand point of the left-hand fort, taking advantage of the opportunity tosound as we sailed slowly along. We found the fortsconstructed of huge blocks of stone, surmounted byguns of large calibre, and staked round with knowledge of fortification has been dis-played both in their construction and extend
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookpublisheredinburghwblackwood, bookyear1859
