Holmes County Republican

Japanese Homeward Bound.
The New York World has a letter from onboard the Niagara at the Cape de Verd Islands dated July 17th, which says:
The good health and good spirits of our distinguished passengers and their suite are a matter of satisfaction. They seem very content with the ship, and the ample and well lighted and well ventilated accommodations she affords them. And well they may be, for few others afloat could furnish their equal. They take very kindly to life at sea, and eat, drink, smoke and sleep with unwonted gout, for landsmen afloat.
These animal indulgences are intermingled with various intellectual occupation. The princes tax their power, chiefly, I believe, in this respect, with the preparation of their journal in America for the inspection of the emperor government at home. They all kept notes of the incidents of their visit, and are now comparing them, and compiling from the whole a minute and finished narrative.
Many of the second rank are much engaged in the acquisition of English, and seek occasional instructions from any of the officers or ship's company near them. Even the common servants are engaged much of the time, with books of their own language, in writing, sketches, &c.
The renowned Tommy, with one or two of his friends, is the regular daily pupil of the chaplain. The familiarity with our language which some of these hitherto secluded pagans are thus gaining; it is to be hoped, may prove the channel eventually, of higher good than they have yet known.
The general moral tone of the ship is exemplary; and more than ordinary respect and reverence are shown by the crew, as well as by the officers to the religious services observed onboard. These consist, in addition to the worship and sermon of the Sabbath, of morning and evening prayer, by the chaplain on the quarter-deck every day, at which the whole ship's company attend. A daily prayer meeting is also held by the religious sailors, in which Captain McKean, as well as the chaplain, occasionally takes part by prayer or in an address.