Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-02-04

clear and pleasant voice. Whom the EN-.
peror had finished, Mr.. Heusken brought
the Presidents letter to me. l removed
the silk cover Striped, red aud whiie,) open.
ed the box, and displayed the writing to
the Prince Of Bitlsu, who now stood up
Then, closing the box, | handed il to the
Prince, who placed il on lackered stand
prepared for the purpose Mr.. Heusken
having returned to his place, and the Prince
being agnin PROSTATE, the Emperor bowed
to me, smiling pleasantly at the same time
This ended my audience, and backed out
of the room, making three bows as retired
The usual dress Of the Japanese mobiles is
Of silk, but the court dress is made Of a
yellow grass cloth, and for coronet they
wear black lackered affair that looks like
distracted night cap. / did not see a sin
gle gem, jewel or ornament Of any kind on
tho person of the Emperor or on those Of
his courtiers who comprised tho great no
bility Of Japan.
From the audience chamber l was taken
to another room, where found the five
great councillors Of State, who, having been
presented to me, congratulated me on nv
audience, and expressed their wonder and
astonishment at " hat thoy called my "great-
ness Of heart" When l asked for an OK.
PLANTATION, they said that they were filed
with admiration TO see me stand erect, look
the awful Tycoon in the face, speak plain
ly to him, hear his reply-and sll this with
out any trepidstion, or any "quiyering Of
the muscles of the side" Iwrite all this to
let you SEQ that the japanese Princes un-
derstand the use Of court compliments. ]
was then shown present Of fifteen silken
robes from His Majesty, and was taken to
room where a banquet, set out on sixty
trays, twelve inches high, was prepared for
my single stomach. There was food enough
for one hundred hungry menI
You must know that the dinner trays
(likO tho brecches) arc mark of rank in
Japan; and the rank indicated by the height
Of the trays, which vary from three to
twelve inches in height. Again, if the
trays arc lackered, it diminishes the honor
connected with the actual height Of the
tray, for it indicates that it can be used on
another occasion; but if it be made Of un-
painted cypress wood, the honor is complete,
for it says as plain as words can do, "You
are so sublime in your rank that no one can
dare to eat fiom a tray that you have us
cdr My attention was particularly called
both to the height Of the tlays and to the
fattcring fact that, "by a special edict,"
they were made of unvarnishcd wood
You must know that this same dinner bad
been the subject of grave discussion, both
in Simoda and in Yeddo. They we're very
anxious l should eat at the Palace. l re-
piled that would do so cheerfully, provid-
ed person or persons Of suitable rank
would cat with mo but said that selfre-
spect would forbid my eating at table
where my host or his representative decliu-
ed to sit down. When l had admired the
very neat arrangement Of tho banquet, ]
was again asked to sit down. then said,
"Say to his Majesty that thanked him for
his proffered entertainment" At last the
whole affair was sent to my quarters, where
/ distributed it among my Simoda followers
After the exhibition Of tho dinner, was
re-conductOd to the room l first entered
and, after I had drunk of the cclebrat.
ed powdered tea" left, being conducted
to the entrance by the two chamberlains,
who knocked head with all the force that
was due 10 one who had seen "the King
and yet lived" By the way, forgot to
state that the old formula Of an audience
which was "kneel down." "knock head, sc
that tho by-stAnders can hear your skull
crack" if it ever did exist at the court al
Ycddo, was not used in my case. A faint
request was made to me at Simoda, that
would knecl, but told them that the re,
quest was offensive, and must not DO repeat
ed. That ended 1t.
Ny return to Simoda was on steamer
presented to the Japanese by the Dutch,
i and my subsequent voyages to and from
Ysddo were all by water. do not know
tn. exact date of my return to Siinoda.-.
There is a perfect blank in my memory for
about twenty days. Suffice il to say, that
on the the 2Sth Of March ! was aware that
was as helpless as child, and that / was
also aware Of the serious nature Of my ILL.,
moss.
In April I again started for Yeddo, not
withstanding tho strong remoustrances ol
tH0 puySlStduay anu Who 30 toSoto bude
) was actually carried on board the steamel
like child. Happily no i'll effects followed
this imprudept, but absolutely necessary
step Of mine.
The Emperor manifested the creates
} kindness and the most marked solicitud'
for my perfect restoration TO health. HI
daily sent me some very nice affair that hac
been prepared in the palace. After abou
: fortnight Of these kind attentions, during
, which time / was rapidly gaining strength
His Majesty sent the Prince Of Tamba Il
me to urge the use Of certain remedy
which tho Prince described. II you ar
J curious to know waat the nature Of the rem
, edy was, you can turn to the second verse o
the first chapter Of the First Book Of Kings
) commonly callcd the Third Books o
! Kings" In justice to myself permit mt
} To add that my health has so rapidly i'm
r proved that have not used the ImperiA
prescription. The weather during Apri
) aud May was charming, and each day
I felt its influence.
! The Japanese pointed out various place
, Of interest, such as temples. gardens, &c
which visited with benefit to my healtl
and relaxation for my mind. The iSsebs
5 or theaters. Of Yeddo are three in number
They are all in the north east part Of tn
: city, and only few yards distant from eacl
I other / intand0d Ia visit tharo hat m,