venly appointed almoners of the bounty of the rich toward the poor. But when the large endowments of the church were made over to the grasping nobles and courtiers of Henry VIII, the reformed church and clergy had not the means of supplying the necessities of the destitute. The monasteries and convents were shut up, and the poor were compelled to depend upon the casual benefactions of the rich. The natural consequence was, that such charity was not sufficient for the relief of the destitute, many of whom resorted to violence, robbery and murder, in order to fill their stomachs. To such an extent was this true, that over eight thousand persons were hung for robbery in a single year, in the time of Henry VIII. The reign of this monarch's daughter, Elizabeth, was signalized by the passage of the first poor laws known in England. The fact that such aid was made compulsory by the law, induced increasing numbers to rely upon it, instead of relying upon their own exertions, when the times were bad and food was dear. No inducement was held out to the poor to lay by in prosperity for a season of adversity; for the law assured them of a support, come what might. The result of this policy is seen, in a larger number of paupers in England than in any of the other countries of Europe. Some years of scarcity have witnessed one-sixth of the entire people dependent upon the exertions of the rest. What will finally come out of this, no man can say. The evil is gigantic, and some remedy must be found, or her poor laws will prove her undoing.

Our account of England must close with a brief notice of her leading towns: among her great manufacturing cities, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Sheffield stand foremost. The first is the great place for the production of cotton goods. Birmingham is the chief seat of the manufacture of iron ware of every kind. Leeds is the center of the woolen business, and Sheffield is known to every school-boy as the place where the best knives are made, and to those of greater age, as possessing facilities for turning out the most perfect razors that ever passed over the face of man. In addition to these towns, Coventry is celebrated for its ribbons and watches, Axminster, Wilton, and Kidderminster for its carpets, Bradford for its cloths, Nottingham for its hosiery, and Spitalfields for its silks. But it would be in vain to enumerate all the towns of England which are celebrated for their productions. Wherever there are men, there is industry in some form, and far distant be the day when the land of our forefathers shall exhibit any other spectacle than that of a country filled with an industrious, intelligent, and moral people. Whoever loves his kind may well say, in the language of one of its greatest poets" England, with all thy faults, I love thee still."

DESCRIPTION of Japan--Discovery by the Portuguese-Intercourse of the Portuguese and the Dutch-Introduction of the Catholic Missionaries-Arrogance of the Priests-Disgust. of the Japanese-Warfare against the Catholics-Expulsion of the Portuguese-Disgraceful conduct of the Dutch-Unsuccessful attempts of the English and Russians to open Intercourse with Japan-Imprisonment of Capt. Golownin-his Adventures-his final Liberation- Renewed efforts of the English for Intercourse--Attempts of the Americans-Visit of Commodore Biddle-Letter of President Polk-Visit of the Preble-Humiliations of the Dutch-Character of the Japanese-Government-Religion- Peculiar Customs-Castes-Commercial Importance of Japan.

FAR away in the North Pacific Ocean is a group of islands, placed in the latitude of Spain, which closely resemble Great Britain in form and general

On the right of the view, the reader will perceive a monument-like object; this is the praying machine, which turns on its axle, and is to be found around all the temples. It is covered with thick boards, on which are pasted sheets of paper, on which are written favorite prayers. The devotee has but to set it agoing, when it continues in motion a long time; he then can occupy himself in eating, drinking, or sleeping, while this convenient affair is turning prayers for him.

arrangement. The lands in question, rich with all the gifts of nature, fertile beyond measure, and with a glorious climate, have long constituted a popu lous empire, remote from the rest of the world, intercourse with which, it has pertinaciously repelled with churlish and cowardly selfishness. The union of California with this country, and the marvelous increase of its population has actually transferred these islands from a remote corner of Asia, into the very midst of that new thoroughfare which is soon to unite in the bonds of an immense and adventurous commerce, the extreme east of the old world with the extreme west of the new.

By the common consent of the civilized world, it is already decreed, that Japan must speedily consent to forego her past policy, and throw open her ports and her valuable productions to the commerce of the world. America has taken the lead, peaceably, if possible, forcibly, if necessary, in promoting this change. Her steam squadron may already have reached this mysterious people, and prepared a new field for American enterprise, and a new market for American industry.

Marco Polo, the celebrated Venetian traveler, first announced the exist ence of these islands to Europeans, though he had never visited them in person. A storm-driven Portuguese ship, in the year 1542, was the first European vessel that ever visited Japan. Thus, accidentally, Portugal has the honor of its discovery. The country is supposed, by geographers, to contain about 160,000 square miles, though some rate its area as high as 270,000. The lowest estimate makes its extent considerably larger than that. of Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, and Virginia. Japan proper, consists of the three islands of Kioosioo or Kewsew, Sitkokf, and Niphon. The large island of Yesso, some of the Kurile islands, and the southern districts of Tarakayau, are dependencies upon the empire. The population of the country is immense. There cannot be less than 30,000,000 of inhabitants, mostly of Chinese or Tartar-Chinese origin. The soil is everywhere cultivated like a garden; towns of vast size are thickly scattered over the islands, and the roads, and highways are continually thronged with great multitudes.

The history of its intercourse with European nations is a brief one. Fernando Mendez Pinto, a name which has long been proverbial as a synonym for an impudent liar, was commander of the Portuguese ship, which first made the discovery of these islands. Through the glowing description he gave his countrymen of the fertility of Japan, and of the fabulous abundance of the precious metals, they were induced to send out annually, a large ship freighted with the productions of Western Europe. Though far within their extravagant expectations, the profits of this trade were still so great as to lead them to interpose obstacles to the commerce of other nations. The Dutch, however, were successful in gaining a foothold in the empire, which though precarious, they still retain. The Portuguese, themselves, were finally expelled from the country, in 1639. The Jesuits, and other missionaries, who early accompanied the commercial adventurers, seem to have urged forward their scheme of proselyting the natives with such activity and success, as to alarm the government with the apprehension of a general revolution, both civil and religious. The dissensions among the various religious

orders, Dominicans, Franciscans, and Augustins, who sought to supplant the original missionaries, did much to precipitate the crisis. The ecclesiastics of all orders, were widely charged with pride, rapacity, and sensuality. The national spirit was provoked by the insults heaped upon their ancient religion, by the indignities cast upon their venerable idols, and by the contemptuous treatment of their priesthood. The general disgust was heightened by the arrogance of these foreign visitors, and by some particular injuries inflicted upon individuals of the highest rank and influence.

As early as 1597, twenty-six professing Christians were executed upon the cross, one or two Jesuits, and several Franciscan friars being among the number. In 1612, persecution was renewed, and the only alternative allowed was recantation or death. Hundreds of Japanese converts endured the agonies of crucifixion, in vindication of their faith. An active warfare against the Romish religion, was carried on by the government, during the next twenty-five years, when the Portuguese were finally compelled to abandon the country, in consequence of treasonable letters from a converted Japanese, known as Captain Moro, to the King of Portugal, falling accidentally into the hands of the Emperor of Japan, in which it appeared that the Jesuits had associated themselves with the disaffected native Christians, and with a native political party, in some civil feuds which then distracted Japan. The unhappy Moro was burned at the stake, and an imperial proclamation decreed that the whole race of the Portuguese, with their mothers, nurses, and whatever belongs to them, should be banished forever." Death was also threatened to all natives who should ever leave the country; no nobleman or soldier could purchase anything of a foreigner; bringing a letter from abroad was made a capital offense, and a banished person returning to the country, was to suffer death, with all his family.

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The conduct of the Dutch, in these troubles, was most discreditable. In aiding to deprive the Portuguese of their trade, they only did what the Portuguese would have been glad to do to them. But when the Christian natives were goaded into rebellion, by the cruelties practiced upon them, the active assistance rendered by the Dutch, to a heathen government, in exterminating her christian subjects, was disgraceful to them, as civilized and christian men. In this persecution, it is said, more than 40,000 Catholic converts were butchered, with circumstances of cruelty and atrocity hardly paralleled by those inflicted upon the early Christians, in the reign of Diocletian. Over the vast grave of many of these martyrs, this impious inscription was set up: "So long as the sun shall warm the earth, let no Christian be so bold as to come to Japan, and let all know, that the King of Spain, himself, or the christian's God, or the great God of all, if he violate this command, shall pay for it with his head."

The Dutch, however, have never realized the benefits they anticipated from their ready compliance with the wishes of the government. They have been, and still remain, a despised set of traders, always suspected, and narrowly watched by the authorities, and rigidly confined to a narrow inlet, called Desima, 240 feet long, and 600 broad, in the outskirts of the town of Nangaski. Condemned to a life of celibacy, prohibited from general intercourse

with the natives, and constantly surrounded by spies, the love of money was hardly ever indulged under circumstances more discouraging, or more painful. All who serve the Dutch, or have any close dealings with them, are bound to take a solemn oath of renunciation and hatred of the Christian religion, once, twice, or even three times a year, and at one at least of these ceremonies, they are made to trample under foot crosses and crucifixes, with the image of the Redeemer upon them.

Even in the annual embassies to the court of the Emperor, with their customary presents, they are watched with extreme jealousy, and suffered to speak with no one, not even with the servants at the inns where they lodge. Of late, however, this severity has been relaxed. When the mission went to Jeddo, in 1822, to pay their court to the Emperor, and give him their presents, they were allowed considerable intercourse with the people. At the villages on the road, fair damsels ran out to meet them, and to offer them spring water, tea, and other refreshments. And at Jeddo, the apartments allotted to them were crowded from morning till night, by ladies and gentlemen, native doctors and savans, and people of all classes, who asked them questions, with wonderful volubility, and were always ready to answer the questions which the Dutch put to them.

By the strict letter of Japanese law, the female sex were forbidden to enter the precincts; but the fair ladies went in such numbers, that it sometimes happened that there were six of them to a single male visitor. Their man ners charmed the hearts of the Dutchmen. The Hollanders treated the Japanese beauties (and some of them are said to be very charming) with liquors and confectionary, and wrote Dutch words on their fans, as a substitute for albums. There was also an agreeable interchange of presents. Their visits, however, have ceased to be annual, and occur but once in four years.

The English East India Company succeeded in obtaining a charter, entitling them to trade with Japan, as early as 1613. But, in consequence of their want of success in making their trade profitable, which seems to have resulted chiefly from bad judgment in the selection of the cargoes sent out, the business was abandoned in 1623, though not till forty thousand pounds had been uselessly expended. In 1673, the English sought a renewal of their trade, but such was the hatred of Portugal and all that pertained to her, by the Japanese, that the marriage of the then king of England to a daughter of the Portuguese monarch, was thought a sufficient reason for refusal. It was declared, “that no trade could be permitted with the subjects of a king who had married the daughter of the greatest enemy of Japan, and the English ship must sail with the first fair wind." More than a century later, an English vessel freighted with furs, of which great use is made by the Japanese, made another attempt to open a trade, but in vain. Subsequent and more earnest efforts were equally unsuccessful. This embraces the entire history of English commerce in this country down to the year 1808.

Russia commenced her efforts for a free intercourse with Japan, under peculiarly advantageous circumstances. Possessing one half of the Kurile Islands, while Japan controls the remainder, their near vicinity might be sup.