NARRATIVE OF THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. SAMARANG, DURING THE YEARS 1843-46; EMPLOYED SURVEYING THE ISLANDS OF THE EASTERN ARCHIPELAGO ; ACCOMPANIED BY A BRIEF VOCABULARY OF THE PRINCIPAL LANGUAGES. Published under the Authority of the Lords Commissioners BY CAPTAIN SIR EDWARD BELCHER, R.N., C.B., F.R.A.S., F.G.S., &c. COMMANDER OF THE EXPEDITION. WITH NOTES ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLANDS, BY ARTHUR ADAMS, ASSISTANT-SURGEON, R.N. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: REEVE, BENHAM, AND REEVE, KING WILLIAM STREET, STRAND. CHAPTER XI. JAPAN AND LOO-CHOO. Approach Nangasaki-Escorted by numerous guard-boats-Permission to land-Observations effected-Deputation of the Chiefs to the Ship-Numerous visitors-Japanese customs and habits-Legal suicide-Dress of superior class-Swords, Boats, &c.—Fortifications of Nangasaki-Batteries of the Cavallos-Approach the Ship Interesting interview - Reflections on Japan and the Japanese-Extracts from the Voyage of the Morrison'-Leave Nangasaki-Gig swamped and loss of valuable InstrumentsArrival at Loo-Choo-Excursion into the Interior-City of Sheudi -Napa-Pootsoong-Entertained by the chief MandarinsRamble through the town-Japanese Ship-building-Collegiate institutions-Want of cleanliness and attention to dress-DietProduce of the market-Presentation of a curious document denouncing the system of Surveying. On the 1st of August, we took our departure for Japan, steering a course for the Gotto Islands, which we passed on the night of the 5th August, and then shaped our course direct for Nangasaki, with the hope that the Authorities of Japan might be able to afford us supplies of fresh provisions, until I could ascertain from the court whether any chance existed of my being able to land, or whether they would hold out any prospect of sup 2 APPROACH NANGASAKI. [1845. plies, should I find it either necessary, or politic, to repeat my visit the ensuing season. Our progress, however, was retarded by calm and variables in the morning, and it was not until 8 o'clock that a favourable breeze sprang up, carrying us slowly along the land, and enabling us leisurely to contemplate the scenery before us. The forbidding aspect of the sea features were agreeably relieved by the successful efforts of the cultivators of the soil, who carried their terraced gardens up the sides of, apparently, the most barren hills, presenting the appearance of steps to pyramids: from whence they derive water for the irrigation of these gardens, is yet problematical. As we continued to approach the Port of Nangasaki, the common fishing and trading vessels were succeeded by the gay official, or guard boats, despatched to reconnoitre so unusual a visitant as an European ship of war, and increasing so rapidly in numbers, as to afford the exhibition of a Regatta, each boat being of beautiful model, elegantly painted, and equipped with light and picturesque canvas, occasionally varied by alternate stripes of white and blue, as well as plain, and no two exhibiting the same flags, each bearing the arms of its office or chief to whom it belonged. The breeze continuing to freshen we soon out-sailed these vessels, but one rather in the style of a Pratique, or health boat, motioning a wish to communicate, our pace was reduced and she came alongside; the officer would not, however, come on board. He presented a small box upon the end of a staff, in which I found a letter, worded in Dutch as well as French, requesting me to "anchor near |