mences. after midnight, the clock strikes eight, the | burnt down. There was every reason next hour seven, at sunrise six, then five, to believe that they were wilfully set on four, and at noon again nine. One hour fire, but the perpetrators of the crime after mid-day eight, two hours after mid-day could not be discovered. Occurrences seven, at sunset six, then five, and finally of this kind, he was assured, are by no four. At midnight the new day commeans uncommon, although incendiaries The hours are struck in the folare by the law of Japan condemned to a lowing manner: first, one stroke; in a mimute and a half, a second stroke, and im- terrible punishment. mediately a third. These three warning strokes announce that the hour is about to be struck. In the space of a minute and a half after, the striking of the hour begins The strokes succeed each other at intervals of fifteen secouds, except the two last, which follow more rapidly, as if to notify that the hour is struck. Though bigotted to their own religion, the Japanese allow ample toleration to various sects, besides permitting the public profession of the Kurile religion; but they are quite intolerant against Christianity, on account of the troubles it has occasioned among them, conse quently the laws are extremely rigorous against teachers of the Christian faith. The Catholic priests, who formerly lived in Japan, and enjoyed every possible freedom, preached the Christian faith, and converted a great number of the natives; but, at last, the progress of the new religion gave rise to a dreadful civil war. For this reason, after the complete extirpation of the Christians, the following inscription was placed at the head of the stone tablets of laws, which are fixed up in all public places, and even in the streets :-" "Whoever knows any individual who has taught Christianity, and can convict him thereof, shall receive a reward of five hundred silver pieces."-There is, likewise, a law which prohibits masters from hiring servants, until they receive from them a written assurance of their not being Christians. ID Naugasaky, where Christianity had made the greatest progress, there is a staircase, on the steps of which are laid various ornaments and utensils of the Catholic church, and on the first step a crucifix. On new-year's day, all the inhabitants of Nangasaky are obliged to ascend these steps; and, as a proof that they are not Christians, trample on the articles. The interpreter assured us, that many Christians who live at Nangasaky comply with this regulation from interested motives. During Captain Golownin's residence in Japan, two warehouses filled with goods, and shortly after a house, all beTonging to the same merchant, were The offender on being conducted to the place of execution, which is usually without the walls of the city, is stript and tied to a stake, round which, at a short distance, piles of lighted wood are placed. The criminal is thus slowly burnt to death, and endures the most unspeakable torture. On the flames being extinguished, a tablet, on which are inscribed his name, and an account of the crime for which he suffered, is nailed to the stake, and his body is abandoned as a prey to the wild beasts and birds. Wilful setting fire to a building is, according to the laws of Japan, the crime next in enormity to parricide. In cases of fire, assistance is promptly and efficiently given on such occasions. Both officers and soldiers wear a particular dress, which we had now an opportunity of seeing. It exactly resembles their military uniform; consisting of coats of mail, sleeve cases, &c. But the whole is composed of light varnished leather, so that this armour is not burthensome to the wearer, and cannot be injured by the sparks which issue from the fire. On the coat of mail the rank and office of the wearer are described. To extinguish a fire is regarded a most glorious achievement among the Japanese. When a fire breaks out in the capital, where there are numerous corps of troops, the commander who first proceeds to extinguish it, fixes his standard near the spot, and it is deemed exceedingly offensive if another officer lends his assistance without being invited by him who has, by his early arrival, obtained possession of the ground. In former times, occurrences of this nature frequently gave rise to duels between the princes and grandees, and sometimes battles, in which their respective adherents engaged : even now, serious contentions often arise when one officer shews an inclination to deprive another of the honour of having extin guished a fire. Many other interesting particulars concerning the Japanese are introduced in this interesting work, which we could with pleasure have extracted, had our limits permitted. Notwithstanding the disadvantages under which Captain Golownin necessarily laboured, from his captivity, he has collected a great number of curious facts relative to that comparatively unknown people; and the manner in which he has related his imprisonment is such as cannot but awaken the deepest sympathy. Account of a Voyage of Discovery to the West Coast of Corea, and the Great Loo Choo Island. By Capt. Basil Hall, R. N., F.R. S. &c. &c. With charts and coloured engravings. 4to. £2. 2s. Murray, London. 1818. landed on one of these islands; but On the 14th they saw the great Loo THIS Work forms an elegant and interesting companion and supplement to Mr. Ellis's Narrative of the late Em-strong on the lee-side of the crater.bassy to China, and Mr. M'Leod's Account of a Voyage in the Alceste to the Yellow Sea; of which our last volume contains ample notices.* In drawing up his Narrative from Journals written Here they met with a most hospitable at the time, Captain Hall acknowledges reception. As we have already given an himself largely indebted to the Notes of account of Captain Maxwell's expedient Lieutenant Clifford, R. N. who obtained in order to obtain a residence here for permission to accompany him; and hav- some time, we shall devote the remainding opportunities of observation which er of this article to the selection of such Captain Hall's official duties necessarily particulars as Mr. M'Leod could not reA denied him, Lieutenant C. was thus enlate in his very amusing Narrative. abled to record many interesting occurfriendly intercourse having soon been rences of the voyage. Not the least established, they were visited by a chief important of this Gentleman's commuof some consequence, to whom they gave nications, is, a Vocabulary of the Lana handsome reception, and in return guage spoken at Loo Choo; on the were invited to a feast on shore. On collection of which he bestowed the the 28th Captain Hall and a party set greatest pains. This will be of incal-out to examine Reef Island, which lay culable value to future voyagers who about six miles from the spot where the may have occasion to touch at this ships were anchored. island. We extract this part of the narrative, as it contains some curious facts respecting the nature of coral reefs. On leaving the embassador (Lord Amherst) and his suite in China, the Alceste frigate, Captain Maxwell, and the Lyra sloop of war, which had accompanied the embassy, proceeded to-ly wards the Coast of Corea. On the 1st of September, 1816, they discovered a cluster of islands, to which Captain Maxwell gave the name of Sir James Hall's Group, in compliment to the President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. These islands lie in longitude 124° 46′ E. and 37° 50′ N. A party See Lit. Pan. N. S. Vol. VII. pp. 215, et seq.; 292, et seq.; 551, et seq. The examination of a coral reef during the different stages of one tide, is particularinteresting. When the tide has left it for some time, it becomes dry, and appears to be a compact rock, exceedingly hard and ragged; but as the tide rises, and the waves begin to wash over it, the coral worms protrude themselves from holes which were before invisible. These animals are of a great variety of shapes and sizes, aud in such prodigious numbers, that, in a short time, the whole surface of the rock appears to be alive and in motion. The most common worm is in the form of a star, with arms from four to six inches long, which are moved about with a rapid motion, in all directions, probably to catch food. Others are so sluggish, that they may be mistaken for pieces of the rock, and are generally of a dark colour, and from four to five inches long, and two or three round. When the coral is broken, about high water mark, it is a solid hard stone, but if any part of it be detached at a spot which the tide reaches every day, it is found to be full of worms of different lengths and colours,some being as fine as a thread, and several feet long, of a bright yellow, and sometimes of a blue colour: others resemble snails, and some are not unlike lobsters in shape, but soft, and not above two inches long* The growth of coral appears to cease when the worm is no longer exposed to the washing of the sea. Thus, a reef rises in the form of a cauliflower, till its top has gained the level of the highest tides, above which the worm has no power to advance, and the reef of course no longer extends itself upwards. The other parts in succession reach the surface, and there stop, forming in time a level field, with steep sides all round. The reef, however, continually increases, and being prevented from growing higher, extends itself laterally in all directions. But this growth being as rapid at the upper edge as it is lower down, the steepness of the face of the reef is still preserved. These are the circumstances which render coral reefs so danger ous in navigation; for, in the first place, they are seldom seen above the water; and, in the next, their sides are so steep, that a ship's bows may strike against the rock before any change of soundings has given warning of the danger. The island at high water is formed into three parts, which at low water are joined by reefs, the whole being about two and a half or three miles from east to west, and tolerably clear of rocks on the south side ; were covered with reeds, and thatched over with the leaf of the wild pine, which: grows on all the coral islands. The fireplace was at one end on a raised part of the floor, and the other end appeared to be the sleeping place. It was conjectured, that this wretched place could only be meant as a temporary residence of fishermen, whose nets we saw lying about; but the number of water jars and cooking utensils which we found in and about it, gave it the appearance of a fixed habitation. It was almost dark when we quitted the island, and the tide carrying us out of our proper course, we missed the ships and, grounded on the reefs near the town; but as the tide was flowing we easily got off, and by coasting along, soon gained the anchorage. Every possible advantage was taken to acquire a knowledge of the language spoken by the inhabitants of Loo Choo, several of whom were equally desirous of becoming acquainted with English. Mr. Hall mentions two natives in particular, who studied it with great assiduity and with considerable success. One (he says) is called Madera, the other Anya. They carry note books in imitation of Mr. Clifford, in which they record in learn. They are both keen fellows, and their own characters every word they are always amongst the strangers. the respect occasionally paid to them, it is suspected that their rank is higher than they give out, and that their object in pretending to be people of ordinary rank, is to ob From tain a more free intercourse with all classes on board the ships. Madera, by his livelimade himself a great favourite; he adopts ness and his propriety of manners, has our customs with a sort of intuitive readiness, sits down to table, uses a knife and fork, converses, and walks with us, in but on the north it is guarded by a semi-short, does every thing that we do, quite as circle of coral extending upwards of a mile effort or study. He is further recommenda matter of course, without any apparent from the shore. On the centre island ised to us by the free way in which he comonly one hat, which, as there was reason to believe it to be the actual abode of the inhabitants, it may be allowable to describe. The walls were sunk under ground, so that only the roof appeared from without, the inside was fifteen feet by six the walls of neatly squared stones, being two feet high, and the roof in the middle about six or seven high, formed of a ridge pole supported in the centre by a forked stick; the rafters of rough branches • A large collection, which was at this time made of these Zoophytes, was unfortunately lost in the Alceste. municates every thing relating to his country; so that as he advances in English, and we in Loo-choo, he may be the means of giving us much information. These two chiefs, for such was their actual rank, soon endeared themselves to the whole of the two ships' crews; Mádera in particular, by his good sense, ingenuity, and affable manners, was regarded by them almost as a brother. Both officers and crews quitted this hospitable island with regret. Of the interviews of the natives with the English, Captain Hall has given several pleasing accounts; but as they do not essentially vary from Mr. McLeod's Narrative, noticed in our last volume, excepting that they are more copious, we shall omit them, and present our readers with the following particulars respecting the manners, &c. of the islanders of Loo Choo. Polygamy is not allowed in Loo Choo as in China, and the king, it appears is the only person permitted by law to have concubines: they invariably spoke with horror of the Chinese practice, which allows a plurality of wives, and were much gratified on learning that the English customs in this respect were similar to those of Loo-choo. The women are not treated so well as we were led to expect from the mildness of character in the men, and their liberality of thinking in general. The upper classes of women are confined a good deal to their houses, and the lower orders perform much of the hard work of husbandry. We saw them at a distance, in great numbers, carrying loads on their heads. Mádera says that the women are not treated with much indulgence, being even restricted from using fans; and that when they are met out of doors by the men, they take no notice of one another, whatever may be the degree of relationship or intimacy subsisting between them. The perseverance with which they kept the women from our sight is curious, and leads us to conjecture that the general practice of the island is to seclude the women at all times. Of their literature, no satisfactory information could be procured. It appears that they have few books in their own language, the greater number on the island being Chinese. Young men of rank are sometimes sent to China to be educated. We saw no arms of any kind, and the natives always declared that they had none. Their behaviour on seeing a musket fired certainly implied an ignorance of fire-arms. In a cottage at the north end of the island, we saw a spear which had the appearance of a warlike weapon, but we had every reason to believe that this was used for the sole purpose of catching fish, having seen others not very dissimilar actually employed in this way. They looked at our swords and cutlasses, and at the Malay creeses and spears, with equal surprise, being apparently as little acquainted with the one as with the other. The chief carried little case knives in the folds of their robes, or in the girdle, and the lower orders had a larger knife. but these were always of some immediate practical utility, and were not worn nied having any knowledge of war, either for defence nor as ornaments. They deby experience or by tradition. We never saw any punishment inflicted at Loo choo: a tap with the fan, or an angry look, was the severest chastisement ever resorted to, as far as we could discover. In giving orders, the chiefs were mild though firm, and the people always obeyed with cheerfulness. There seemed to be great respect and confidence on the one hand, and much consideration and kind feeling on the other. In this particular, more than in any other that fell under our notice, Loo-choo differs from China, for in the latter country we saw none of this generous and friendly understanding between the upper and lower classes. During the intercourse of the English with these people, it is recorded to their honour, that not a single instance of theft occurred; though many hundreds were daily admitted to the temple where the Alceste's stores were deposited, and were allowed to examine whatever they pleased. Although our voyagers saw no musical instruments of any kind, yet the natives were aware of their use. Almost all of them sing; and the English heard several very sweet airs, chiefly plaintive. The dress of these interesting islanders is described as being simple and becoming. Their loose robe was generally made of cotton, and of a great variety of colours. The robe of a grown up person was never flowered or printed over with figures, being generally of a uniform colour, though instances occurred of striped cloths being worn by the chiefs. This robe opened in front, but the edges overlapped, and were concealed by the folds, so as to render it difficult to say whether or not the robe was continued all round; the sleeves were about three feet wide: round the middle was bound a belt or girdle about four or five inches wide, always of a different.co lour from the dress, and in general richly ornamented with wrought silk and gold flowers. The folds of the robe overhang the belt, but not so much as to hide it: the whole of the dress folds easily, and has a The graceful and picturesque appearance. garments worn by the children were often gaudily printed with flowers. In rainy or cold weather, a sort of great coat was worn by the chiefs only, of thick blue cloth, buttoning in front over the robe, and tighter both in body and sleeves than the other.— This cloth resembled the coarse cloth used in China; and it looked like woollen manufacture, and may possibly have been originally brought from England. The sandals worn by all ranks were exactly the same; they were formed of straw wrought into a firm mat to fit the sole of the foot, smooth towards the foot, and ragged underneath : a stiff smooth band of straw, about as agricultural purposes. Their horses are small and slight, and are much used for riding, of which exercise the natives are very fond. They appear, however, to be entire strangers to carts or other wheel-carriages. Hogs, goats, and poultry, with rice, and great abundance of vegetables, constitute the food of the inhabitants. Their mode of dressing the ground is neat, and resembles the Chinese, particu. thick as one's little finger, passes from that larly in manuring and irrigating it. This part of the sandal immediately under the cultivated: they have, besides, tobacco, is most attended to where the sugar-cane is ancle and over the lower part of the instep, so as to join the sandal at the opposite side; wheat, rice, Indian corn, millet, sweet pothis is connected with the foremost part of tatoes, brinjals, and many other vegetables. the sandal by a short small straw cord The fields, which are nicely squared, have which comes between the great toe and the convenient walks on the raised banks runnext one. The upper classes wore stock-ig round each. Along the sides of the ings of white cotton, not unlike our half stockings, except that they button at the outside, and have a place like the finger of a glove for the great toe. hills, and round the villages, the bamboo and rattan grow to a considerable size. The pine is the most conspicuous tree on the island, growing to a great height and built with planks several feet wide; the size, which we infer from seeing canoes Their hair is of a jet black, and is kept glossy by juice expressed from a leaf.There is no variety in the fashion of dress-trees, however, near the temple at Napaing it; it is pulled tight up all round, and kiang were not above ninety feet high, and is formed at top into a compact knot, so as from three to four in girt. The banyan to conceal the crown of the head, which is tree of India was seen at several places ; the finest one overhung the small temple at Napakiang, which circumstance led to the enquiry whether, as in India, this tree is held sacred, but we could gain no information on this subject. Of their manufactures it is difficult to speak with certainty. By their own account the silks which they wear are Chinese, but the cotton cloths are made on this and the neighbouring islands; the printed patterns of these are not without elegance. We saw no weaving looms, but as we were only in a few houses, this is not surprising: the webs are thirty-six feet long, and fourteen inches broad. Tobacco-pipes and faus are made at Loo choo; as well as the sepulchral vases, of which there is a manufactory at Napakiang, from whence they are exported to Oonting, and other parts of the island. Some of the pouches of the Chiefs were made of cloth, which they say comes from China; it is exactly like our broad cloth. We tried in vain to learn what shaved; through the knot are thrust two metal pins, one of which has a square point and flowered head consisting of six leaves or divisions: the other pin has one end sharp, and the other shaped like a Scoop: the length of these pins is from four to six inches. We did not see the Prince's, as he remained covered during all the time of his visit; but the Chief of high rank who visited the Alceste on the 23rd of September, had the flowered end of one pin studded with precious stones. The higher orders wear, on state occasions, what they called a "hatchee matchee," which is a kind of turban, apparently made by winding a broad band round a cylinder, in such a way, that a small segment of each fold is shewn at every turn, in front above, aud behind below; this is effected by giving a slight diagonal direction to each fold. The lower orders occasionally tie a coloured cloth or bandkerchief round the head; this they call "sadjee;" next the body they wear a thin cot-goods they send to China in exchange for ton dress. The men wear no ornaments through their flesh, nor are they tattooed: we saw, indeed, some fishermen who had fish spears marked on their arms, but this does not prevail generally. The cattle on this island are of a small black breed, and exclusively used for VOL. VIII. No. 44, Lit. Pan. N. S. May 1. silks: perhaps sulphur forms a part, which these islands are said to produce, as well as tin. From the number of vessels constantly sailing out and in, it appears that they must have some trade, but our enquiries on this and pursued, led to nothing satisfactory, owing many other topics, though sedulously probably rather to our ignorance of the I |