Had we not floated to-day the alternative was rather consoling; nothing less than the removal of all our heavy guns and spars. Before our departure Shanghai was all astir at the visit of General Grant of the United States. Ostensibly, the general is travelling _incog._, but really as the representative of the United States, for he flies the "stars and stripes" at the main, and gets a salute of twenty-one guns wherever he goes. For some reason or other we did not salute as he passed up the river. May 22nd saw us clearing out of the dangerous precincts of the Shanghai river and shaping our course across the turbid waters of the Yellow Sea for pastures new--that is to say--for Japan. Under double-reefed canvas and a nine knot breeze we sighted land in the vicinity of Nagasaki on the 25th, and by evening our anchor "kissed the mud" in as lovely a spot as ever mortal set eyes on. But I will reserve my eulogies for another chapter. CHAPTER IX. "It was a fresh and glorious world, A banner bright that shone unfurled Before me suddenly." ARRIVAL AT NAGASAKI.--SOMETHING ABOUT JAPAN.--A RUN THROUGH THE TOWN.--VISIT TO A SINTOR TEMPLE. I know not if the author of the above lines had ever been to Japan. I should think it very unlikely; and possibly the poet is but describing the scenery of his Cumberland home. In no disparagement of the beauteous country of the lake and mountain, yet we must confess that nothing there can compare with Japan's natural magnificence. All who have ever written of Japan, or who have ever visited its shores, are unanimous in the praise they bestow on its charms of landscape. Even rollicking and light-hearted tars, who, as a rule, are not very sensible to the beauties of nature, are bound to use "unqualified expressions of delight," when that "bright banner" lies unfurled under their gaze. And of all this beauteous land no part of it is more beautiful than the bay of Ommura, in the month of May.