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ASIATIC SOCIETY OF JAPAN.
A General Meeting of the Society was held on Wednesday evening, 13th instant, at the Grand Hotel, C. W. Goodwin Esq., V. P. in the chair.
The minutes of the last meeting were approved, and it was announced that the following gentlemen had been elected ordinary members of the Society since the last general meeting: Dr. Elmore, Chargé d’Affaires for Peru, Messrs. J. C. Hayllar, Q.C., Hongkong, J. Smedley, E. S. Benson, and S. Cocking.
The Rev. E. W. Syle then read the “Itinerary of two routes between Yedo and Niigata” by Captain Descharmes.
Sir Harry Parkes observed that Captain Descharmes had described a very interesting, and a very extensive tour through the Northern, Western, and central Provinces of Japan. He regretted that, owing to the want of a good map, those who had heard the paper read would not fully profit by the information it contained until it appeared in print. The same want had been felt on previous occasions, and would continue to be felt when papers of travel were read before the society. He would therefore suggest the preparation of a map of Japan on a large scale, to be exhibited at the meetings of the society, which should show in a manner that would at once catch the eye, the Provinces and Kens, principal towns, mountain ranges, rivers, roads, and other important geographical features of the country, as far as these were at present known or might become known. The routes described in the papers read before the Society might also in some instances be marked upon it. Its use would then be felt, not only when papers were being read, but also by travellers planning a tour or an excursion, and wishing to profit by the experience of those who had preceded them. He believed such a map could be constructed at small expense, and he was satisfied that it would prove of great utility to the Society.
Mr. Cargill, in seconding the suggestion, remarked that any Foreign maps of Japan he had seen were very incomplete, while the Japanese maps, some of which were very excellent, had for those who could not read Japanese, all the characteristics of the old maps of Africa—a mere coast outline on a sheet of blank paper. Mr. Cargill also enquired what the expense of preparing a map would be, and whether the funds of the Society could afford the outlay, or whether a special subscription would be necessary.
Mr. Syle said that the matter had been under consideration. He thought that if the Society determined on constructing such a map as that referred to, Mr. Brunton should be requested to superintend the execution of it. He was afraid, however, that the funds of the Society would not admit of the undertaking at present.
In reference to what had fallen from Mr. Syle, Mr. Brunton said that he would be glad to superintend the execution of large maps for the use of the Society. He would propose that they should be made to a scale of 234 miles to an inch