Japan and the Japanese

COKPORATION OF INTERPRETERS. 231
ship's company was barbarously murdered, and the whole cargc
taken possession" of by the Chinese subjects of Coxanya ; where-
upon we made our complaints, before the very same court, against
this act of hostility, but with so little success, that, far from having
any damages assigned us, we could not obtain the restitution of so
much as one farthing.
" The chief and most extensive company or corporation of the
officers of our island, is that of the Interpreters, or, in the literal
sense, through-mouths. Those of the first order, called true Inter-
preters, are eight in number. By virtue of their office they are
obliged to assist and attend us whenever there is occasion ; and so
far, indeed, they execute their duty with great preciseness, that
we can scarce ever one moment get rid of their importunate pres-
ence ; for as they are made answerable for our conduct, so they
spare no pains nor trouble to have a watchful eye over us.
" Four of these are
high interpreters, of whom one is Ninban, signifying
a yearly guardian, or person appointed to report upon another.
This officer is only annual, and to him all
petitions and complaints,
and whatever else relates to us and to our commerce, must be deliv-
ered, and by him. with the consent of his brethren, to the com-
manding governor or his deputy. He hath the greatest
share in
the, management of our island, in the direction of our trade, and in
all our affairs in general. The four other interpreters, though of
the same order, are called inferior interpreters. They have not
near the authority of the first four, whom they are to assist in the
performance of their duties. They, too, have a Ninban, or president
of their own, who is a sort of deputy to the chief Ninban.
Both Ninbans attend us in our journey to the court, their year of
office terminating with their return.
" They are paid by fees and presents (to buy their favor), and
by profits on the hire of laborers for the Company, and horses for
the journey to court. The whole income of a chief interpreter may
amount to three thousand taels and upwards, and that of an inferior
interpreter is seldom less than one thousand five hundred taels ; and
yet, with all this income, they live but sparingly, because they must
maintain out of this money numerous families, and sometimes poor
relations, whom, according to the innate pride of this nation, they
won't suffer to appear necessitous. Some part, also, of their rev