dant in many parts of their country. On puncturing the tree the gum
oozes out, of a light color, and of the consistence of cream, but on exposure
to the air grows thicker and blacker. I t is so transparent, that when laid
unmixed on wood, the grain and every mark on the wood may be seen
through it. They obviate this, however, where it is desirable, by placing
beneath the varnish a dark ground, one element in the composition of which
is the fine sludge caught in the trough under a grindstone. They also use
for the purpose minutely pulverized charcoal, and sometimes leaf gold ground
very fine. They then ornament the varnish with figures and flowers of gold
and silver. They make, and thus varnish, screens, desks, oaskets, cabinets,
and other articles, exceedingly beautiful, and of which specimens may from
time to time be seen in Europe and this country. I t is said, however, that
the best samples never are sent out of the Kingdom.
Glass.—They know how to make this article, and can manufacture it now
for any purpose, both colored and uncolored. Formerly they did not know
how to make the flat pane for window glass; and probably what they make is
an inferior article, as they still purchase thick mirror glass from the Dutch
to grind into lenses.
Porcelain.—This they make, and some say in greater perfection than the
Chinese can. At any rate, specimens we have seen of Japanese porcelain
are very delicate and beautiful; though some writers tell us, that, owing to
the exhaustion of the best clay, they cannot now manufacture such as they
once could.
Paper.^0Of this they make an abundance, as well for writing and print
ing, as for tapestry, handkerchiefs, packing cloths for goods, &c. I t is of
different qualities, and some of it is as soft and flexible as our cotton cloth.
Indeed, that used for handkerchiefs might be mistaken for cloth, so far as
toughness and flexibility are concerned. The material of which it is made
is the bark of the mulberry, (morus papyrifera,) and the process is described
as follows: In December, after the tree has shed its leaves; they#cut off the
branches about three feet in length, and tie them up in bundles. They are
then boiled in a ley of ashes in a covered kettle, till the bark is so shrunk
that half an inch of the wood may be seen projecting at either end of the
branch. When they have become cool, the bark is stripped off and soaked
in water three or four hours until it becomes soft, when the fine black skin
is scraped off with a knife. The coarse bark is then separated from the
fine; the new branches make the finest paper. The bark is then boiled
again in fresh ley, continually stirred with a stiek, and fresh water from time
to time is added. I t is then put in a sieve and taken to a brook, and here
the bark is incessantly stirred until it becomes a fine pulp. I t is then thrown
into water and separates in the form of meal. This is put into a small vessel
with a decoction of rice and a species of Hibiscus, and stirred until it
has attained a tolerable consistence. I t is then poured into a larger vessel,
from whence it is taken out and put in the form of sheets on mats or layers
of grass straw; these sheets are laid one upon another with straw between,
and pressed to force the water out. After this they are spread upon boards
in the sun, dried, cut, and gathered into bundles for sale. This paper will
better endure folding, and last longer than ours.
Woven fabrics.—They make silk, the best of which is superior to that
of China. The best silks are woven by criminals of high rank, who are
confined upon a small, rooky, unproductive island, deprived of their property,
and made to support themselves by their labor. The exportation of
these silks, it is said, is prohibited.
They have but small skill in producing cotton fabrics, though such are
made. For many purposes to which we apply cloth of cotton, they use the
coarse spongy paper to which we have alluded. They require woollen cloths,
for the winters are cold; but, we believe, they make none. Indeed, they
have no sheep or goats, and therefore lack materials from which to make
woollen cloths.
Leather.—They convert the skins of certain animals into this article; but,
as we have stated on a previous page, all those who have anything to do with
the making or vending of leather are outcasts from all the rest of the population
and universally proscribed. They never apply the article as we do,
to making shoes, or other coverings for the feet. They hardly ever wear
shoes or slippers that are not made of plaited straw. Thunberg says the
shoes are always the shabbiest part of the dress of the Japanese. As they
are of straw, they consequently last but a little time. But they are made in
immense numbers, cost but a trifle, and may be bought in every town and
village in the Empire. The pedestrian, therefore, throws away the old pair
by the road side, and buys new ones as he goes along; while the more provident
man takes two or three pairs with him on starting. Immense numbers
of these discarded shoes may be found on the sides of all the roads. In
wet weather they wear under the shoe a wooden clog, which is attached to
the foot by ties of plaited straw. Dignitaries sometimes wear slippers made
of fine rattan slips neatly plaited.
Agriculture.—Japan is very mountainous, as we have already stated;
but with the exception of that portion of the ground covered by the roads,
and by the woods left to supply timber and charcoal, nearly every foot of
ground, to the very tops of the mountains, is cultivated. Of animals to assist
in culture they have the horse, ox, and a large species of buffalo, which they
train to draw carts and carry heavy goods on the back. They plough with
both the ox and cow. Of milk and butter they make no use. When they
cannot use cattle to plough, as on the steep sides of hills, men are substituted
; and sometimes the plough is laid aside, and all the labor in preparing
the earth is done by hand. Generally, their soil is rather poor; but by
means of the immense labor they bestow upon it, by irrigation, and esper>