SOMETHING MORE ABOUT SWORPS. 
255 
whiske}’’ punch; andj as this latter disappeared, we ac- 
quired considerahlo information of their nation at large, 
from the Japanese, through the Russians, some of whom 
had already made considerable progress in the language. 
Arnyig other things, wc learned one of the great se- 
crets in regard to the beauty and remarkable i:»olish of 
their swords. It was not every Japanese sword that was 
good, the vice-governor told us: it was only a certain 
number, that had been made by a workman who lived 
A.n. 1750, that were so highly prized : any others could 
be had for a trifle, — from ten to thirty dollars. 
The old fellow had drank pretty freely of the punch 
before expressing himself thus liberally, and another 
glass or two upset his reserve and dignity completely, 
lie slapped us on the back in a most “hail-fellow-well- 
met” style, and drew his sword when requested, ^vithout 
the slightest hesitation. This latter was certainly the most 
beautiful specimen of steel that I ever saw: put any light 
fabric across it and sweep your arm through the air, and 
its divided parts floated upon the disturbed atmosphere. 
The governor seemed unusually proud of this sword : it 
was made, he told us, by the great maker of 1750, and 
had come to him from his fatlier, who had long since re- 
tired from public life. I tried to ascertain if swords, &c. 
fell to the lot of the eldest son in Japan, but failed to 
convey tlie question in an intelligible form. 
The party broke up at a late hour, and the next day 
was devoted to the survey of the harbour, which being 
accomplished, tlie restless anchor once more appeared at 
the cathead, and the “ old John” again pointed herself for 
the sea. 
