Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-05-28
The Japanese ambassadors at n WASH
ineton BnIl-Their Conduct There.

The other evening" writes Washington
correspondent of the New York Tribune, at
ball given by the Secretary of State, the
Japanese ambassadors appeared unofficially,
for the first time, in public. The interest felt
in this occasion was so great that, of the nu-
merous guests invited, hardly single one
failed to be present. The saloons of Gen,
Cass were fully crowded at quite an early
hour five or six hundred persons assembling
before nine o'clock The ambassadors did
not leave Willard's Hotel until ten. On
reaching Gen. Cass's residence, they were
conducted by Capt. Dupont and other gentle
men, who accompanied them through the
various rooms Of reception, and finally seated
at point most convenient for approach by
those who were to be presented to them.
Their neighborhood was at once invaded by
numberless candidates for introduction,
mostly ladies, all of whom were received
with the grace and elegance of manner in
separable from the Japanese
The party visiting the Secretary of State
was composed of three princes, and the five
officers next in rank, and the two interpret
ers. For nearly an hour these ten gentlemen
sustained unfiinchingly the unaverted gaze
OF as many scores Of people as could draw
near to them. Their self-possession then, as
1t always is, was marvellous. The haughtiest
stare, intensest eye-glass concentration, could
neither move them to embarrassment nor
rouse them to the least defiant glance in re-
turn. Directly personal remarks, not always
uttered, am afraid, in the best taste, and
sometimes unworthy the fair lips whence
they proceeded, were listened TO by those
who perfectly understood them with no sign
of discomposure, except perhaps, a slight
compression of the mouth, showing that in
sensibility was no cause of their immovable
calmness.
Toward eleven o'clock, the ambassadors
rose, and we're again led through the apart
ments, pausing before rejection table, the
details of which no interpreter was needed
to explain to them. The number of guests
had now greatly increased. There were
present the members of the Cabinet, the Vice
President and Speaker Pennington, few
members of Congress, many officers of the
army and navy, and a very full representa-
ton of foreign legations. The number of
ladies seemed greater than of gentlemen. The
least unwary step engulfed one in surging
waves of muslin, silk, and those other kindred
dangers which evade precise designation.
Mrs. Douglas, Miss Lane, Mrs. Gwin and Mrs.
Slidell were the various central orbs, alluring
to themselves countless satellites seeking
from them reflections of fashionable warmth
and social light On their way along the
| drawing-rOoms, the Japanese caught sight
| of Commodore Tatnell, who brought them in
| biiN a ONhutuH ilOhl W uIdnld, uuu
whom they instantly surrounded with every
grateful expression Of welcome.
For the few minutes that Commodore
Tatnall was near all objects beyond testify
ing their recognition of him were abandoned
A little later, the ambassadors stepped into the
dancng-room, where they gravely inspected
the gyrations of fair women and brave men
with an air of curious interest and occasional
deep concern, as if anxious as to the results
ofa saltatory process so much at variance with
their own theories on the same subject.
After few more introductions, the Embas-
sadors, at half-past eleven o'clock, took their
leave and returned home.
Their participation in this event was, in
one sense, a remarkable concession, for Gus
tom in Japan forbids high dignitaries to Ga
abroad by night, and custom there rules
| The intention Of the ambassadors had at first
been to adhere to this principle while in the
United States; but they express some salts.
faction at having set it aside, since by doing
so they were enabled to share the enjoymentS
of so brilliant an evening.