Narrative of the Earl of Elgin's mission to China and Japan in the years 1857, '58, '59 (1859) (14587479598)

Identifier: narrativeofearlo02olip (find matches)
Title: Narrative of the Earl of Elgin's mission to China and Japan in the years 1857, '58, '59
Year: 1859 (1850s)
Authors: Oliphant, Laurence, 1829-1888
Subjects: Elgin, James Bruce, Earl of, 1811-1863
Publisher: Edinburgh W. Blackwood
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto



Text Appearing Before Image:
e and his profession, will be justified in thecourse of his renewed intercourse with its inhabitants. The guns, which appeared of enormous calibre,were for the most part unprotected by embrasures;they stood under open sheds, generally surroundedby soldiers. In addition to those which were real,and apparently serviceable, were long lines of shambatteries, known to sailors as Dungaree forts, andwhich were made simply of coarse cloth or canvass,stretched and painted so as to represent batteries. Itis possible that in many cases these concealed guns,and weve purposely constructed in a manner calculatedto mislead the beholder into supposing them a solemnsham, and so hurrying him on to his own destruc-tion. Whether that be so or not, these gaudily-paintedfortifications contributed a novel and characteristicfeature to the scenery, which continued to be of themost enchanting description. The harbour of Nagasaki is an inlet of the sea, fourmiles long, and with an average of about a mile in 4 4
Text Appearing After Image:
4 ENCHANTING SCENERY. 7 breadth. At its further extremity lies the city, witha high range of hills in rear; the topmost summit,Kawarajama, attaining an elevation of about twothousand feet. The hills on either side of this sheetof water sometimes rise out of it in an abrupt wall ofrock, at others swell gently back in wooded slopes,down which brawling streams leap into the sea :rock-cut steps ascend to airy pinnacles surmountedby guns or temples ; dense foliage clusters whereverit can find holding-ground, flinging deep shadows overcrag and fissure, subduing and toning down all theharsher elements—just as a soft eye and gentle smilegive their own expression to a countenance ruggedwith lines and furrows. Behind some of the Dungaree forts we observedsubstantial buildings, apparently barracks, and gar-dens beautifully kept, with terraces and walks, andcarefully - trimmed borders—the bright colours ofthe dresses of those who frequented them impartinga gay and almost fairy-like aspect to