The Americans in Japan; an abridment of the Government narrative of the U.S. expedition to Japan under Commodore Perry. By R. Tomes

Chapter I

PAflB Motives Of Expedition — Commodore Perry sails in Steamer Mississippi — Arrival at Madeira— Funchal, its Streets, Houses, and Carriages— Productions of Madeira— Departure from Madeira— Course and winds — The Trades— The Harmattan — Crossing the Equator— Arrival at St. Helena— Description of the Island — Napoleon and Longwood — Jamestown— The People— A sharp Citizen — Departure from St. Helena— Arrival at Cape of Good Hope — Description of the Cape and its Inhabitants — Productions— Constantia Vineyards and "Wine— Caffres, Fingoes, and Bushmen— Hottentot "War — Departure from Cape Town — The Passage from the Cape— The Styx spoken, . 1

Chapter II

First sight of Mauritius — Description ofthe Island — Rains, Storms, and Hurricanes — Population— Paul and Virginia — The Mississippi sails for Ceylon — Arrives at Point de Galle — Description — Productions — Inhabitants— Climate — Magnificent Vegetation — Wild Animals — Abundance of Elephants — Hunting them — The various Religions of Ceylon — Phnr-Fcn -Clow -Chow- Yon- Hou — The Commodore makes his Acquaintance — Presents him with a Colt's Revolver— The Mississippi leaves Point de Galle — Passage through the Straits of Malacca — Rise and fell of the Tides there — Arrival at Singapore, 84 CHAPTER in. Singapore — History — Inhabitants— Prosperity— Sir Stanford Raffles — A Curious Mixture of Heathenism and Christianity— The hospitable "Whampoa — The Raiah of Singapore — Importance of Singapore— Supplies- Scarcity of Coal — "Wild Animals — Hungry Tigers — Human Tigers — Departure from Singapore — A Fleet of Fishing Boats — Sight of Land;— Arrival in Macao Roads — The Commodore proceeds to Hong-Kong— Description of Hong-Kong — Canton — An account of it — The Pirates — Return to Macao — Luxurious Quarters ■ —Macao, its decay— Beautiful Neighboring Country— Tanka Boat Girls- Cave of Camoens— TJie Commodore sails for Shanghai— Arrival there— De- CONTENTS. .AO_l Bcription of— Inhabitants— Foreign Residents— Immense Trade— Visit to the Taou-Tai— The Commodore transfers his Flag to tho Susquehanna— The Squadron, how composed— Sails for Lew Chew — Arrival at Napha, . 56 CHAPTEE IV.

First View of Lew Chew— Visit from the land— Gists of the Anthoritios refused—Conference with the Mayor of Napha— The Eegent of Lew Chew visits the Commodore — The Commodore reveals himself— Visit to the Shore —The Town of Napha— The Flight of Inhabitants— Costume of People— The Women— The Neighborhood of Napha— Eoads and Bridges — The Temple at Tumai — Americans' reception there — An Invitation to Dinner refused — The Dinner sent to the Ships — The Commodore insists upon visiting the Palace — Anxiety of the Regent, 91

CHAPTER V.

Exploration of Lew Chew — Size of Great Lew Chew — Extent of Exploration — Explorers setting out — Spies — The Pe-ching— Scenery— Picturesque Villages — Shyness of Inhabitants — Cungquas — Ruins of Castle — Phallic Emblems — Houses of Devil's Men — Return of Explorers — Setting out for Visit to the Palace at Sheudi — The Procession — The Cagoo — Commodore's Sedan —The Road— The Central Hill— Sheudi— The Gate ofthe City— Arrival at the Palace — The Queen Mother behind the Screen — Short Ceremonies at the Palace — The Regent's House — The Feast — Lew Chewan Cuisine — Lilliputian Bumpers of Sakee — Healths and Toasts Drank — Ichirazichi, the shrewd Interpreter — Eeturn to the Ships, 118

CHAPTER VI.

Commodore sails to the Bonin Islands — The Course and "Winds — A Death on Board — The Horrors of the old Chinaman's last moments — Effects of Opium — Arrival at Port Lloyd — The Visitors from the Island — John Bravo — The Bonin Islands— First Discovery — Captain Beechey's Usurpation — Formation of a Government — Geological Formation of Bonins — Strange Rocks — Natural Caves and Canals— Soil, Vegetation, and Productions— Fish and Turtle — The Pirate — Scarcity of Birds — Domestic Animals become wild — —Peel Island— Its Inhabitants— The Capabilities of the Island— The Commodore makes provision for Future "Wants— Passage back to Lew Chew- Arrival at Napha — Deposition of Regent — Supposed to have committed Suicide— The Hari-Kari— The new Regent— Feast to him on board the Commodore's Ship — The Lew Chewans enjoy the Wines — Return of the Guests to Shore 129

CHAPTER VII.

Anxiety to leave Lew Chew— Mustering of Forces for Expedition to Japan— The Squadron Sails— The Course and Winds— Oho-Sima— The Fourth of July— First Sight of Japanese Coast— The Promontory of Idzu— Entrance to the Bay of Tedo— The Bold Shores— Fleet of Japanese Boats— Mount C0NTENT8. V PAOE Fuzi— Anchorage of Squadron in the bight of Uraga— A Japanese Boat comes alongside — Its build — Crew — First Visit of Japanese Functionaries — The Japanese Interpreter speaks Dutch — The Seclusion of the Commodore — The Squadron, ordered to go to Nagasaki — Commodore refuses — Visit of Governor of Uraga — His Gigantic Card and Name — Kayamon Yezaimon — His Dress — Conference — Insists upon the Squadron going to Nagasaki— The Commodore reiterates his Resolute Refusal — Survey of the Bay — Op position to Surveyors — The Surveyors frighten away the Japanese—Pre paration on board the Steamers for the emergency of a Fight — The Japan ese Forts and Soldiers look Threatening — Long Conferences — A Day appointed at last for an Interview — Gorihama selected — Preparations for Interview — Landing of Commodore — Imposing Escort of Marines and Sail ors — The Golden Box with the Documents — Reception Ashore — The Hall of Reception — Toda-Idzu-no-Kami and Ido-Iwami-no-Kami, the two Impe rial Commissioners— The Delivery ofthe President's Letter— Return to the Ships — Visit of the Japanese Functionaries — Their Intelligent Curiosity— The Commodore transfers his Flag to the Mississippi— Sails up the Bay — View of Tedo— Exchange of small Presents— The Farewell Visit of Yezai mon and Tatsnoske — Their grief at Parting— Consolation in "Wine — Depart ure of Squadron— Results of first Visit to Japan, 148

CHAPTER VIII.

Leaving the Shores of Japan — Excited Curiosity of the People — The Islands off the Bay of Yedo — Naming them after the Ships — A Storm— Arrival at Lew Chew — Every thing had gone well during the Commodore's absence — Renewal of Negotiations with Authorities of Lew Chew — A Bazaar — Departure from Lew Chew — Meeting the Vandalia — Arrival at Hong-Kong — The Powhattan absent— Return of Powhattan— Refitment of Ships— The Commodore establishes himself at Macao— The Hospital — Sickness — The Unhealthfulnessof Macao— Healthfulness of Canton — The Causes — The Chinese great Gormandizers — Chinese Servants — Laborers' "Wages— Male Dressmakers, Ironers, and "Washers — The Short Feet— A Chinese Foot unbandaged— The Beggars, their Guilds and Public Institutions— Honesty to be bought — The Higher Classes — Suspicious Movements of the French and Russians — The Commodore determines to put to Sea — The Squadron sails to Lew Chew on Second Visit to Japan, 170

CHAPTER IX.

Change In Conduct ofthe Lew Chewans — Second Visit to the Palace— Exchanges of Coin — No Coins in Lew Chew — Exploration of the Island — Coal found — Geological Formation — Soil— Climate — Distribution of Land— Agriculture- Cultivation of Rice— Various Productions— Flora— Agricultural Machinery — Sugar Mills— Population of Lew Chew— Similarity between Lew Chewans and Japanese— Affinity of Language — Physical Characteristics— Dress — Women — Marriage — Divorce— Manners — Occupations — Arts — Literature — Cookery — Amusements — "War — Government — Religion — Burials — Tho Commodore's Purposes effected — Despatch of a part of the Squadron to Japan — The Commodore follows, VI CONTENTS . PAGB

CHAPTER X.

Arrival off the Mouth of the Bay of Yedo— Standing up the Bay— The Wintry Aspect ofthe Land— Ships Ashore— Relief— Honesty of the Japanese — The American Anchorage— Wintry Aspect of the Bay— A Visit from the Japanese Officials — The Commodore urged to return to Uraga — Refusal — Report " ofthe Death ofthe Emperor of Japan— Repeated Visits of Japanese Officials—The Commodore persists in his refusal to go to Uraga — Interview of Captain Adams with the Imperial Commissioner — A Visit from Yezaimon — Cause of his long absence explained — Sam Patch's Letter — Yokuhama appointed for the Conference— The Landing — Commissioners described — Answer to President's Letter delivered— The Treaty signed— Interchange of Presents— A Substantial Gift— The Wrestlers— The Railroad and Telegraph— The Delight of the Japanese, 215

CHAPTER XL

Celebration in honor of the Treaty — The American Feast — Splendid Preparations — The Conviviality of the Japanese Guests — The Jovial Mimi — Saki — Tbe Party on Deck — Carrying away Remnants of the Feast— The Negro Minstrels in Japan — The Japanese Feast— Spreading ofthe Banquet — Soup, Soup. Soup— The Japanese Talleyrand— The Commodore insists upon the Privilege of going Ashore — The Curiosity of Japanese — More Inquisitive than Communicative — The Common People Sociably Disposed — The Scrutiny of t'ne Spies — An Enterprising Chaplain — His Adventures — Graceful Charity of Japanese Officials — Sociability of Japanese— Women respected —Tea Parties and Gossip— The Commodore's walk Ashore— Visit to a town Official— His Wife and Family— Black Teeth ofthe Women— The old Lady and Baby of the House — Return of the Commodore — Busy Population — Dress — Death of a Marine— Burial Ashore— The Buddhist Priest— The Commodore determines to have a Glance at the Capital — Fright of Japanese Officials — Departure of the Commodore for Simoda, 341

CHAPTER XII.

Bimoda— Its Position— The Town, how built and laid out — Advanced Civilization—Shops and Dwelling Houses— The Exterior— Internal Arrangements— Lodging Houses — Announcement of Arrivals -Number of Houses and Population— Disproportion of Officials and Dignitaries— Immoral Practice of Simodans — Diet of People — Cultivation of Rice and Grain The Buddhist Temples — The Sculpture and Paintings — The Devil's Charity Boxes— Grave-yards— Tombs and Epitaphs— The Rio-zen-shi— The Mias The godlike Hashiman— The small Shrines — The Mariners' Temple The Support ofthe Church— Neighborhood of Simoda— Its Beauty and Cultivation — River Hongo — Japanese Rice-cleaner— Climate and Health of Simoda — The new Local Government, ••»..»..", 264

CHAPTER XIII.

The Officers frequent the Shore— The Interference of the Japanese The An- CONTENTS VII PAGE thoritles rebuked by tho Commodore— The Apology of the Japanese— A Strange Encounter — A Couple of Japanese Travellers -Their Visit to the Ships — Their account of themselves— Their boat adrift— Their Desire to Visit America — The two Japanese caught — Caged — Their Stoicism in Prison— Petition to the Commodore— The Supposed Fate of the "two Scholars from Yedo" — Trouble again with the Authorities — Arrival of Macedonian — A Death on board Ship— Trouble again with the Authorities -—An Apology insisted upon and given— Subsequent friendly Intercourse — Departure from Simoda — Passage to Hakodadi — Arrival in the Bay of Hakodadi— The Strait of Sangar— The Bay of Hakodadi, .... 289

CHAPTER XIV.

Hakodadi— The Harbor and Fisheries — The Position of the Town— Its Beauties — The Houses — Precautions against Fire — Fire-engines — Wards and Aldermen— Stillness of Town — Kagoes and Horsemen — Interior and Furniture of Houses — How the People sleep and eat — Tea and Sakee — Fish, Fish, and Fish— The better Houses— Their Adornments— The Buddhist Temples — The Shiogen-Zhi — Grave-yards — The Praying Post— Inscriptions— Mechanical Devotion — The Sintoo Temples — Musical Instruments of Worship — Roadside Idols — Forts and Military Defences— Neighborhood of Hakodadi — Occupations of People — Junk Building — Navigation Laws — Japanese Charts — Workers in Metal — Jewellers and Blacksmiths — Cabinet Ware — Silks and Brocades — Fine Arts in Japan — Knowledge of Perspective — Greek Art in Japan — Architecture — Literature — The Japanese great Readers— Printing and Book-making — Religion — Toleration of American Worship- Arrival of a Japanese Functionary, 814

CHAPTER XV.

A Japanese Document— Farewell Visit— Departure frem Hakodadi— Volcano of Oho -Sima— Arrival at Simoda— Arrival of the Commissioners— Conference — Question of Boundary— The Agreement — Supply of Japanese Coal- Sharp Dealing — Complaints and Apologies — A Stone for the Washington Monument— Two Japanese Dogs— Sam Patch Demanded—Refused by the Commodore— Sam Patch's History — Dan Ketch and his History — The Commodore transfers his Flag — Prepares to Depart — Closing Settlements with the Authorities at Simoda — Interesting Conversation with Yenoske — Crucifixion and Hari-Kari— Port Regulations— Departure of the Squadron from Simoda— The First Visit of Christians to Oho-Sima— Arrival at Napha — A Serions Occurrence — Investigation — A Lew Chewan Court and Trial — Verdict and Punishment — Treaty with Lew Chew — Departure from Napha — Arrival at Hong-Kong— The Commodore returns Home— Hauls down his Flag, 840

CHAPTER XVI.

Object of a Closing Chapter— The Voyage ofthe Southampton to Volcano Bay —Detention from Fog— Sight of the Coast— Entrance to the Bay— Olason CONTENTS. PAGTB Island— The Ainos— The Japanese Dignitary— Short Commons— The Ainos Described— Hairy Kuriles— Three Volcanoes in Eruption— Visit to Olason Island — Japanese Regard for American Dead — Voyage of Macedonian and Supply to Formosa— Survey of Coast— Contradictory Account of Ship wrecked Americans — Ruse of the Mandarin of Kelung — Abundance of Coal — The Supply takes in a Load — The Macedonian sails for Manilla — Typhoons and Marine Volcanoes— The Sil-li-ba-boos — Their strange Ad ventures and Destination — Voyage of Commander Adams — Proceeds to the United States with the Treaty — Returns to Japan with its Ratification- Startling Changes — Terrible Earthquake— Exchange of Ratification — Courtesy of Authorities,

CHAPTER I.

The acquisition of California brought the United States closer to Asia. This nearer approach naturally suggested the advantage of cultivating a more inti mate intercourse with Eastern nations. Among these was Japan, a country which, by the strange policy of its people, had been excluded for centuries from rela tionship with the rest of the world. Japan not only offered in its natural resources and the skilful industry of its inhabitants, which had been so highly extolled by travellers, an attraction to the commercial enterprise of the United States, but in its peculiar isolation a provocative of the proverbial in quisitiveness of Americans. Apart, too, from the interest which attached to Japan on its own account, attention was fixed upon that country in consequence of its lying directly in the course from California to China, and its reputed possession of coal, upon which the development of our intercourse with the Chinese and other Eastern nations, by means of steam-navigation, depended.

The obvious advantages of establishing friendly relations with the Japanese became naturally a sub ject of reflection and discussion with many. Among these, Commodore Perry was early distinguished for the warmth of his interest in the question of opening Japan to commercial intercourse ; and to him is due the credit of having proposed to the government the expedition, as to him belongs the honor ofthe successful result, which it is the purpose of this book to narrate. Commodore Perry's proposition having been favor ably received by the United States government, it was determined that a squadron should be despatched under his command, on the peaceful mission of en deavoring to open a friendly commercial intercourse with the Japanese. Great interest was evinced on the part of those in authority in the proposed expe dition, and orders were issued in regard to the num ber of vessels and their equipment, on a scale of lib erality proportionate to the object in view.

Twelve vessels were selected and ordered to be fitted for sea without delay. But though the intention of the Gov ernment was magnificent and the orders prompt, the execution lingered, and the result was comparatively humble. After a delay of nearly twelve months, Com modore Perry finally sailed from Norfolk on the 24th of November, 1842, with a single vessel, the steamer Mississippi.* On leaving the capes of the Chesapeake, the wind blew strong from the southward for ten days, when it changed to N. N. E., making a heavy wallowing sea, and finally hauled to the westward, blowing * Other vessels, however, were to be sent ont, and some already on the East India Station were to join the Expedition. ARRIVAL AT MADEIRA. 3 with great violence. The Mississippi, however, proved herself an excellent sea-boat, and succeeded in aver aging more than seven knots during the whole pas sage, notwithstanding that she was unusually deep in the water, and that eight only of the twelve furnaces were in use, with a small daily consumption of Cum berland coal amounting to twenty-six tons.

After crossing the Gulf Stream a south-western current of about a knot an hour was observed, and this continued until the steamer was within a thousand miles of Ma deira, when it ceased entirely. During the evening of December 11th, seventeen days after leaving Norfolk, land was made. This was Point Atristow, the northern extremity of the island of Madeira, and as the steamer approached and ran along the coast there was an interesting view of the country. The mountain tops rose boldly to the clouds, while down their irregular sides torrents of water poured headlong into the sea. In picturesque contrast with these grander features, were the sheltered nooks at the bottom of the ravines, which opened to small bays, where could be seen groups of villages and fleets of small coasting vessels, employed in transporting the produce of the country to the ship ping port of Funchal.

The Mississippi did not come to anchor until the evening of the 12th, when she brought up in thirty three fathoms of water. Funchal, which is the chief port of Madeira, lies on the southern side of the island, and has only an open roadstead. The anchorage here is rocky and uneven, and exceedingly unsafe in the winter season, so that vessels, when expecting a gale from S. E. around to W. S. W., generally put to sea and remain out until fine weather. The town of Funchal is situated upon a mountainous acclivity, and consists principally of a wide avenue extending along the sea-shore. From this main street numerous smaller ones stretch transversely and pass for some distance up the slope of the hill. The population of Funchal amounts to about twenty thousand people, with whom there is always a large mix ture of foreigners.

The acknowledged healthfulness of the climate has made it a great resort for invalids, the greater portion of whom are English. As the streets of the city are paved in such a manner as to forbid the use of wheel carriages, sedan chairs and hammocks were until very lately used, not only by invalids, but by all others. A substitute is however now adopted, which consists of the ordinary sledge Carriage on Sled. PRODUCTS OF MADEIRA. 5 used for conveying casks of wine and other heavy articles, surmounted by a gaily decked carriage-body and drawn by a yoke of oxen. This is now considered the fashionable equipage, and the Commodore, accompanied by his flag captain and his aid, made all his official visits in such a one. There are stands in the streets, as for the cabs and hackney-coaches with us, where these vehicles may be found with the oxen yoked and every thing in readiness for a drive.

The ox-carriage is by no means, however, the only fashionable mode of conveyance. Horseback riding is also in favor, and particularly with the ladies, who frequently present themselves, unattended either by a cavalier or a groom, but by a footman, who, keeping pace on foot with the easy gait of the horse, brushes away the flies and otherwise devotes himself to the ser vice of his mistress. For inland travelling the sure footed ass is much used, and is undoubtedly the best adapted for the rough and irregular mountainous roads of the country. Wine is the chief product of Madeira. When the island was however first settled by the Portuguese, 6ugar was cultivated, but this was discontinued after the islands of the West Indies were brought under culture, and the attention of the agriculturist was con centrated upon the production of wine.

The export of this has been large, and principally to England. The amount has been estimated as high as £500,000 per annum. The Mississippi, having taken on board nearly five hundred tons of coal, ten thousand gallons of water, and other necessary stores, weighed anchor on the evening of Wednesday, December 15th, and pro ceeded to sea, under steam, shaping her course to pass to the westward of Palma, one of the Canaries. This island was made at daylight on the morning of the 17th of December, and after reaching the lee of Hierro or Ferro, the south-westernmost of the group, the paddle-boards on each side of the vessel were removed, the fires extinguished, and the steamer left entirely dependent on her sails. So thick was the atmosphere in the neighborhood of the Canaries that Teneriffe was not seen at all, and but an indistinct view obtained of Gomera.

This was the more surprising because, as Baron Humboldt has remarked, although the peak of Teneriffe is seldom seen at a great distance in the warm, dry months of July and August, yet in January and February, when the sky is slightly clouded, and immediately before or after a heavy rain, it is seen at very extraordinary distances. This arises from the fact that when a certain quantity of water is uniformly diffused through the atmosphere the transparency of the latter is there by greatly increased. Ever since the Mississippi had left Norfolk, an ex traordinary swell had been observed coming from the north-west. This never intermitted for a moment until the ship was fairly within the trades, and even then its influence could be felt in the disturbance of the usually regular sea produced by the periodical winds, and by the production of a disagreeable cross movement of the waves.

It was difficult to account for this swell so long continued ; it was quite certain the ship had experienced no violence of wind sufficient THE TRADES. to produce it, in the region which she had traversed, and since the 18th (Dec.) the winds had been quite moderate. It was conjectured that there must have been, in the higher latitudes, a succession of north westerly gales, which had prevailed long enough to set in motion an ocean wave which was never sub dued until it came in contact with the steady, though more quiet, tropical swell. This swell, too, had possibly an effect in throwing farther south than usual the northern boundary of the trades. From the time of removing the paddles (Dec. 17), to the 20th, the wind continued from the southward and westward, contrary to the expectation of the Com modore, who had ordered the steamer's floats to be re moved, with the hope, as at the moment there was a moderate breeze from E. S. E., that the vessel would immediately have the benefit of the trade winds.

He was however disappointed, for it was not before three days afterward, and not until the Mississippi had reached latitude 25° 44' north, and longitude 20° 23' west, that the ship could be considered to have fairly en tered the trades. This is a point unusually far south for the northern boundary of these winds at this season, for it is not to be forgotten that the northern and southern boundaries of the zone of the trade winds are variable. The south-east has its northern boundary furthest to the north during our summer ; the north east is then weakest. In our winter this state of things is exactly reversed. In our autumn the zone of the trades reaches its greatest northern declination ; and in our spring it is at its utmost southern limit. During the 21st, 22d, and 23d of December, the wind continued from the northward and eastward ; about noon of the 23d, it inclined to the southward of east, hauling around at night, however, more to the north ; and on the 24th, when the ship was abreast of Brava and Fogo, it stood at E. N. E. The haze was so thick that nothing but a glimpse could be obtained of Fogo.

This haze is common to these latitudes, and is supposed by many to be caused by what is called the Harmattan. This is the name given to a wind which, passing over Africa, takes up in its sweep, as is believed, an impalpable dust and carries it far away to the westward. Strange stories are told of the effects of the Harmattan, which is said to check or cure various diseases, heal up the most inveterate ulcers, destroy cabinet work, break window glass, and stop the motions of a clock or a chronome ter. The effects of this wind are sufficiently remarkable in reality, without the aid of imagination to exaggerate them. They bear some resemblance to those of the Sirocco of the African desert, and of the Levanter of the Grecian Archipelago. The Harmattan begins about the middle of De cember and continues until the latter end of March.

Like the Sirocco, it has been supposed to take its rise in the deserts of Africa ; but unlike the Sirocco, in stead of being hot and oppressive, it is a chilling wind. Its direction is always from the land, and it sometimes increases to a strong breeze ; it does not, however, blow steadily during its season, but frequently inter mits when land or sea breezes take its place. At the Cape de Verd and the Gambia, the Har mattan appears to form a junction with the north-east THE HARMATTAN. 9 trades prevailing there at a certain season, and to blow with little interruption from January until April. It is supposed by some that this wind, in passing over the deserts and lands of Africa, takes up a quantity of sand and dust sufficient to form a floating mass, producing an atmosphere so hazy as frequently to ob scure the sun and prevent the sight of the land at the distance of only five miles.

At the season of the Harmattan, the peculiar atmosphere which accom panies it may be always observed at the Cape de Verd islands four hundred miles from the continent, and is always settling in quantities sufficient to cover the sails, rigging, and deck of a ship. It is also reported to have been met with seven hundred miles further westward. The dust of the Harmattan has been examined by the microscope in the hands of the celebrated investi gator, Ehrenberg, who found that it was composed of infusoria and organisms, which belong not to Africa, but to the south-east trade region of South America. It is therefore conjectured that the south-east trades may have brought the dust, great as is the distance, from South America. As the north-east trades had become light and un steady, with occasional calms, the paddles were re placed upon the wheels, and the ship was put under steam on the 29th of December.

The north-east trades, however, continued until the next day to 6° 8' north latitude and 16° 34' west longitude. A squall then coming from the eastward, the wind changed to the southward and so continued, though somewhat variable, until January 2d, 1853, in latitude 1° 44' north 1* and longitude 11° 37' west, when the south-east trade was met, bringing with it a swell which considerably retarded the vessel's progress. When the winds were light and the sea smooth, the Mississippi succeeded, with the use of the two after boilers, in steaming seven knots the hour, but when the south-east trades fairly set in, accompanied as they were by a head sea, the speed was diminished to four and a half or five knots. The use of two additional boilers, however, soon brought the ship up to seven, with a daily consumption of twenty-six tons of coal. • The north-east trades having ceased at a point much further north than usual, and the south-east winds having also set in at a correspondingly early period, the Commodore changed his intention of pro ceeding directly to the Cape of Good Hope, and de termined to touch at St. Helena, in order to procure an additional supply of coal.

On Monday, January 3d, 1853, the ship crossed the equator in longitude 11° 01' west, and from that time to the 7th of January, had a moderately fresh breeze directly ahead. The effect of this wind was to render the officers' quarters, and in fact all the after part of the ship, very uncomfortable, as the heat and smoke were driven directly aft. The breeze, though directly ahead, did not lessen the speed of the vessel ; for in a steamer, opposing winds do not so much affect its movement as the swells which often accompany them. In fact, a steamer will often go faster against a moderately fresh breeze, provided the sea be smooth, for the opposing wind freshens the draught of the fur naces. ST. HELENA. After crossing the equator, a current of about one and a half mile per hour was observed setting in the direction of the wind north 30° west.

These currents will generally be found setting from the land in the direction of the prevailing winds. There are other currents, however, than the surface ones produced by the winds. These are caused by a difference in the specific gravity of the sea-water at various places and depths. When two fluids on the same level differ in density, the one will not balance the other, but both must move. This motion necessarily produces a current. While passing through the equatorial latitudes, the zodiacal lights were observed to glow with great brilliancy, and their phenomena were studiously noted for future investigation. At noon on the 10th of January, the Mississippi arrived at Jamestown, on the Island of St. Helena. St. Helena was discovered in 1502 by the Portu guese. It was afterward taken possession of by the Dutch, who, in 1651, abandoned it for the Cape of Good Hope.