Japan and the Japanese

JAPANESE SERVANTS AT DESIMA. 237
alter this number, nor to
get our victuals dressed by our own peo
pie. We are obliged to allow one hundred and fifty taels a year to
the first, one hundred and thirty to the second, and one hundred to
the third. There are, besides, some other people who now and then
do some little service in and for our kitchen, such as a man to look
after our cattle, though but very few in number, and of very little
use to us, the males being generally secretly poisoned, or their legs
broke in the night, to prevent their multiplying too much, which,
't is apprehended would turn to. the disadvantage of the commis-
sioners of victualling,
a gardener and some other menial servants.
This being looked upon by the meaner sort of people at Nagasaki
as a perquisite, which every one is glad to have a share of in his
turn, these servants are relieved once a month, and others sent in
their stead, to do their business, out of every street of Nagasaki.
But the chief reason why they relieve them so often is because they
apprehend a longer stay might make them too familiar with us, and
perhaps too favorable for our interest.
" The Dutch, out of a
particular favor, are permitted to have
some young boys to wait upon them in the day-time. They are
entered in the Ottona's book in quality of messengers. They are
commonly sons of the inferior interpreters, and other officers of
our island, who, by this opportunity of learning the Dutch language,
qualify themselves in time to succeed their fathers. However, care
is taken that they stay in our service only so long as they are
looked upon as simple, and ignorant of the state and interest of
their country, or else so long as the Ottona pleases to give them
leave ; but never without sufficient security, given upon oath, by a
respectable inhabitant of Nagasaki, who obliges himself to be answerable
for their misbehavior. Thus much must be owned in
justice to these young boys, that more readiness to do what they
are commanded, and a greater fidelity in the custody of the goods
they are entrusted with by their masters, is hardly to be met with
in any other nation.
" Some tradesmen and artificers of several companies in Nagasaki,
are also permitted to come over to our island, when sent for, provided
they have leave of the governors, which must be obtained
every time they are wanted.
" The guards employed to watch us are two within the island,