ed to make out of them from the ship
is a thatched roof raised about ten feet off the ground, and supported
on four stout uprights. Can these be dwelling houses? On landing, and
coming close up with them, we at once saw that whatever else they were
intended for, they were not places of abode. Close under the admirably
palm thatched roof is a strongly-made, tray-shaped floor, with a small
locked door beneath the eaves. Such was their simple structure. After a
little thought, we arrived at the conclusion that they must be granaries
for the stowage of grain, possibly the government tribute houses, as
they were of different design and vastly superior build to the mud and
stick hovels in which the people live. In their surroundings the natives
exhibit all the squalor and dirt of China, with none of the cleanlier
qualities of the people of Japan. Though they followed us about in
droves, they never attempted any familiarities; in fact our first
overtures were treated with awe-like silence. The only words we
understood, in common with them, were "tabac" and "Ya-pun" (Japan);
indeed Japan is the beginning and end of their ideas--their one standard
of perfection. Everything they noticed about us--watches, biscuit, the
buttons on our clothing, our _boots_ even--were all qualified with the
word "Ya-pun," in a most admiring and reverential tone. Seemingly the
Loo-Chooans have never heard of England, though on passing a school
house--wherein were about a score of children on their knees behind a
similar number of box-like desks, one of the youngsters jumped up and
shewed me an English spelling book!

We saw no money amongst them. They however recognised the Japanese
silver yen, but more on account of the inscription on it than from any
knowledge of its money value, I think. Buttons were eagerly sought
after.

Their wants seem to be extremely few and simple; and being excellent
agriculturists and expert fishers, the land and sea amply supply these
demands. Their chief export is raw sugar. We noticed some women at rude
looms engaged in manufacturing a coarse kind of cloth out of cocoa-nut
fibre; but from its appearance most of their wearing apparel is of
Japanese fabrication. The parents are very affectionate towards their
children--who, by the way, don't trouble their mammas for more clothes
than they were born in, until they are about seven or eight years old.

The earth teems with beautiful and profuse vegetation--for the most par