LETTER VI. 137 



all. The Town was fix Miles from the River's 

 Mouth, and as it ftands upon rifing, or rather 

 pretty high ground, it makes a lovely fl:iow from 

 the Bay of Ingria at the River's Mouth, where 

 Ships ride at anchor, whilft they take in their 

 Loading. I obferved, that they had an odd kind 

 of VeflTel called Loddy (between a Ship and a 

 Boat) which inftead of being faftened with Iron 

 Spikes and Wooden Trunnels (as our Ships and 

 larger Sailing Craft are) is adtually fewed, or ra- 

 ther tacked together with Hempen Strings ; yet 

 it Coafts along from Port to Port with fafety e- 

 nough. If we may credit Salmons Prefent State of 

 yapan^ page 180. The People oijejfo frequently 

 come over to the North part of yapan to trade 

 in Veffels fewed together with Cordage, without 

 any Iron- work about them : This is eafily prac- 

 ticable, it being but ten Leagues between the two 

 Countries. There are fome Villages all around it, 

 that would look pleafantly were not the Houfes 

 made of Firr-trees badly fquared, and laid upon 

 each other (by way of a Wall) and fo joynted 

 together at the ends : I thought them at firfl 

 fight ftrange and ugly forts of Buildings; but 

 they are very warm in Winter, by the help of 

 good Stoves. They had exceeding fine Wheat, 

 Rye, and other Grain, though the Peafant's (and 

 common People*s even in Towns) Bread is as 

 black as my hat ; but the only Fruits I remem- 

 ber 



