Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-02-15
sTAITNTON. VIRGINIA, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY Is, 1859.
interesting Narrative.

.
Mr. Townsend Harris was recently appointe
American Consul General to Japan. To its car
;tal of Yedo. no foreign ambassador or function
ary had ever penetrated. But, to the presenc
of the Emperor, one of the most exclusive an
august potentates of earth, Mr.. Harris resolves
personally to reach. He applied for permission
and. with no ostentation, and armed only VIII
his letter from the President, he was successful
Saws the Boston Courier, condensing the state
ment from his official letters:
Mr.. Harris was attended by train of on
hundred and fifty japanese officials, of high o
low degree-guards, norrimon bearers, cooks
erooms. shoe.besrers, cane bearers, fan-bearers
and standard bearer. These were gaily dres
ed in silk, profusely ornamented with paintet
eagles and arms of the United States. The jour
ney was partly on horseback and partly in
porrimon, or palanquin. Four lads with bam
boo wands led the way as harbingers, singing
clear the way An immense lacquered tablet
bearing Mr.. Harris's name aud titles, and sup
ported by two huge transparent lanterns wa
carried before the procession. The route fol
three days of the journey lay through path g.
mong mountains and deep ravines, formed IL
some places by cutting steps in the Jufa rocks
and sometimes running over mountains foul
thousand feet high. The Fusi Yama, or match
less mountain, which came in view, is described
as being an isolated and perfect cone, ten thou
sand feet high, covered with snow, and glitter
ing in the sunlight like frosted silver, and pre-
sentine a grand and imposing appearance.
Temples were fitted up for lodging places for the
distinguished traveller, having bathng-room:
and other arrangements for his comfort.
IL. H., 81, nhaHt ha C.d(
or Great East Road, and from this point the
road to Yedo was wide and good. On this roat
buildings called howjins' are erected, for the ac
comodation of princes when they travel: Mr
Harris made his quarters in them. One he de-
scribes as being perfect byou everything about
it being in miaiature-the garden, the trees, tht
temples, the grottos, the bridges, the canals, the
fish. ponds, and all but the gold and silver fish
some of which were two feet long. Mr.. Harris
much to his credit, set good example, as vel
to his own countrymen as to the Japanese, oJ
refusing to travel or transact business on Sun
day. The resolution, he says, increased the res
pect of the japanese for him as soon as they un
derstood his motive.
The roads were ceanly swept for the passage
of Mr. Harris's singular train, bridges were put
in order, and even some new ones built for the
occasion all other travel on the road was stop
oed, and the shops on the route closed in honor
of the 'Merrican Ambassador The inhabitants
knelt in profound silence and with downcasi
ewes. on mats in front of their dwellings, as the
procession passed. As an evidence that human
nature is pretty much the same all over the
world. and that female curiosity is not confined
to Christian races or Angel Saxon blood, Mr.
Harris SAYS be discovered occasional violation:
on the part of the japanese daughters OF Eve, o.
the rule in respect to casting down the eyes
Now and then one would steel peep at the mys
terious stranger. Who can tell the amount o.
Tea table gossip which those stolen glances will
furnish2
On the seventh day, Mr.. Harris entered Yedo
Before reaching the boundary line of the city he
passed through continuous lines of houses fol
some miles, and from the gate at which he en-
tered the city it was seven miles to the quarters
which were assigned to him. He estimates the
crowd which was assembled in the streets to wit
ness his entrance to have been three hundred
thousand in number; yet he AYERS that univers
al. profound silence prevailed-not word be
ing uttered except the constant cry of his own
barbinpers. Even the women bridled their
tongues. The house prepared for him was in
the aristocratic quarter, and large enough, he
saws for five hundred persons in the Japanese man.
ner: and was fitted up for bis special and conve
nient accommodation. The Emperor sent an
envoy to welcome him, and to inquire after his
health; and in week after his arrival, his visit
was made TO the imperial palace.
The officials of Mr.. Harriss train were newly
and more gaudiy dressed for the visit to the EN-
peror. A new flag, made of japanese Grape,
was carried before the procession. 1t having
been the first foreign banner ever carried through
the streets of Yedo, Mr.. Harris has preserved it,
and it will probably hereafter find conspicuous
place among the things worth seeing in the mu-
scum of the Smithsonian Institute. The distance
to the palace was two miles, through many for
tilted gateways. Mr. Harris was received at the
gate of the palace by two chamberlsins, who
after Rocking the head conducted him to ar
apartment, where he found chair for his use
(the courtesy of the Japanese all along had mo-
required him to adopt their custom OF sitting
upon mats, and had provided chairs for him,
and tea, and bon6ons and refreshments. From
thence he passed to the audience chamber
through hall in which four or five hundred
high mobiles were kneeling, as silent and motion
less as statues. The chamberlain announced tn
'Merrican Ambassador in loud voice. and tn
princes threw themselves down and crawled g.
long as Mr.. Harris and his interpreter and sec
retary walked in.
His Majesty was seated in chair, with lin
of men, counsellors of state, and mobiles, pros
trate ON their faces on each side of him. H
was dressed in yellow silk, and wore blacl
lacouered cap, which Mr.. Harris says utterly de
fes description. Not gem, jewel, or ornamen
of any kind was upon his person. Mr.. Harri
ba odv n a
and having made his address to him was reptile,
TO by His majesty in fine clear voice. Th
Presidents letter was then presented, npon wbicl
the emperor bowed, and Mr.. Harris again bow
ing three times, backed out of the room. l
should be remarked that copies OF the addresse
made at this remarkable interview had prevl
ously passed between the parties, so that the.
understood on either side what was SAID.
The counsellors of state afterwards expressed
to Mr.. Harris their profound astonishment ant
admiration at his greatness OF heart, IN stand
ing erect before the awful Tycoon looking hin
in the face, and speaking plainly to him, withou
quailng or 'qniyering in the muscles OF the slde'
The grand interview over, Mr., Harris was pre-
sented with fifteen silken robes, and taken to
banquetng room, where FEAST set out on slxt.
trays, twelve inches high, was prepared for hi
single stomach. Mr.. Harris was subsequently a
Yedo several times, and continued to receiv
marked attention. During severe illness, tn
emperor manifested the greatest kindness ant
solicitude for his health, and sent him every da.
some nicely prepared in the palace; and depu
ted also his best physicians to attend him.
In allusion to this great achievement, in over
coming the prejudices and exclusive customs o
centuries by the simplest moral force, Mr.. Harri
triumphantly as we'll as modestly and patrioticall.
exclams--'I cannot tell you how many thoughts
crowded my mind during my audience. The
great idea was, however, the barrier OF exclusion
that has been rigidly maintained by this singu
lar people, is finally broken down; and it is ny
country, my glorious country, that has achieved
this. and all has been accomplished by mora