A Sailor-Boy's Log-Book from Portsmouth to the Peiho by Walter White

again -- Japanese Diet and Junks -- Rowing anyhow -- Domestic Life -- Hatred of Chinamen -- What the Highflyers thought -- Departure -- Touch at Shanghai -- Hong-Kong: a Disappointment -- Growling with a Cause -- Our Captain goes Home -- Up to Whampoa -- Our new Captain -- A Dab-down -- The Mud Dock Builders -- Study under Difficulties -- Messmates and Crossmates -- The Admiral's Visit -- My Messmates -- A Run on French Island -- Cotton-cleaning -- Warlike Preparations -- Scenes on Shore.

We left Hakodadi on the 26th, and in due time arrived in the Strait of Yeddo, and as it fell calm, got up steam, and we glided along pleasantly through the water, till nearly six bells in the first watch, when, going but slowly at the time, we struck upon a hard sandy shoal, and, despite all our exertions, couldn't get off till the middle of next day. Happily the ship sustained but trifling damage, and soon after we again were at anchor in the Bay of Kanagawa. As this was the last time we anchored in Japanese waters, I will add a few remarks about what the people eat before saying good-bye to them. Their food, so far as I could see, is chiefly vegetable; but there is a considerable consumption of fowls, and the various courses are served up at table in very small dishes, on waiters of the native lacquered ware. Great propriety is observed during the meals, each course having its clean plates, and so forth.