Japan and the Japanese

282 JAPAN. A. D. 1C90.
enue is spent in presents to the governors of N igasaki and thcil
deputies.
" Next to the chief interpreters, must be mentioned the learning
interpreters, or apprentices. They are never less than eight, but
sometimes more, all sons to the chief interpreters, by birth or adoption.
They come over to us every day, in order to learn the Dutch
and Portuguese languages, as well as the art and mystery of dealing
with foreigners. They arc employed as spies upon several occasions,
as also to inspect the lading and unlading of our ships, to search
the sailors, and such others as go on board or leave the vessels,
They also examine the goods imported and exported, and are allowed
for these services a salary of forty
taels a year, besides a share in
the boarding wages and other perquisites.
" After these come the house interpreters^ employed by private
Dutchmen within their own houses. They have nothing to do on
our island, unless it be at the time of our yearly fair, or sale, when,
after having taken a solemn oath to avoid all communication, inti-
macy, and familiarity with us, they are by the Ottona admitted
into our service. From two to six are
assigned to every Dutch-
man, during the whole time of our fair, nominally as interpreters,
but in fact as spies to watch his actions ; for there is scarce one in
ten of them that understands a Dutch word, excepting some few
who have been servants to the Dutch formerly.
" There are upwards of a hundred of these house interpreters,
who all stand under the command of the chief interpreters, and
particularly the Ninban, or president for the time being. Their
salaries, an uncertain sum, taken out of the taxes laid upon the
Dutch trade, are supposed, one year with another, to amount to
about six thousand taels, which they divide among themselves,
according to their rank and office, and as it is computed that the
twelve chiefs among them get at furthest two hundred taels apiece,
the rest must take up with half that money, and sometimes with
less. This company of interpreters have four treasurers and two
clerks to keep their cash and an account of what is paid in and out.
" Two fundamental maxims they go upon : to do what lies in
their power, insensibly to increase the yearly expenses of the Dutch,
to the advantage of their countrymen, as becomes true patriots
conceal as much as possible all the tricks and cheats they per