Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-06-04
E'HE GAZETTE.
TIE JAPANESE EMBASSY.
MONDAY MORNING, JUNE 4, 1860.


The only public business which now de-
tains the Embassy, is the regulation OF rates
Of exchange between their country and the
United States, full information about which
they have been instructed to carry home
with them, that their rulers may lmmedi-
ately establish some definite standard. In
this matter they rely wholly upon the Sood
faith of our Government, acknowledging
their inability TO calculate the differences OF
the currencies without assistance here, ana
claiming only that perfectly just estimate
on both sides be presented Their COINS are
10 be assayed at the Philadelphia Mint, in
order that their value, in comparison with
ours may be ascertalned.
Their receptions Of Congressman, Cabinet
officers, and other functionaries, are the
most tedious ceremonies they have to endure.
Tor two or more hours each day, seated Qul-
ztIy upon sofa, the Ambassadors resign
themselves to the assiduous attentions Of the
hundreds of men and women who beset them.
As the Princes are persons OF taste and re-
tinement, they naturally suffer little mental
and physical prostration by these operations,
end generally come out Of them wilted, and
with countenauees indicating vague thoughts
in the direction Of happy release
The dignity Of these receptions is seldom
interfered with excepting by the Japanese
Puck. Tommy" In his wanderlngS, he
sometimes penetrates the parlor where the
Ambassadors sit in state, on which occasions
nobility is forgotten, and public consldera-
ton is at once diverted from aged rank TO
youthful genius. 1t often becomes ncceSSa-
rv TO eliminate the little interpreter to pre-
vent serious interruptions OF the regular or
der of affairs, but, in such events, Tommy,
conscious OF his own resources, bctakeS
himself to an adjoining apartment, and there
gets up reception on his own account, Wtllct
presently eclipses the more imposing demon
Stration, and brings together throng more
numerous and more devoted than any the
Princes can secure.
The officers and servants of the Embassy
luxuriate in idleness. Photography absorb
bed them for while, but having now all
seen themselves duly put upon paper, this
excitement has passed Triling purchases
take up portion of each day. The Japan
csc are gaining wisdom in the matter OF sole
leather. Tsokahara Jougoro gives good ex-
ample by appearing in CATERS Of Washing
ton manufacture and astonishing SIZE. The
first day after his arrival here, he had two
cases OF shoes brought into his room, every
pair of which he carefully inspected, before
deciding upon his purchase. Several sets
that itted him exactly, and gave his little foot
the ncatest possible appearance, were thrown
aside in favor of q couple Of huge objects
which, he honestly declared, were better sui
red to his uututored toes. Since that time,
many of the subordinate officers have adop-
ted CATERS, ingaribly selecting the largest
available sizes, according to the example OF
their comfort-loying leader; and often, in their
ignorance of our American prices, and their
Indifference to matters Of money, paying Tor
them sums quite proportionate to their d'mcn-
siOns.
The doctors are providing for the recovery
of their invalids, of whom there are three or
four in the party, all servants. Their mode
oftreatment is very simple, and does not differ
in essential points from that of our own ply
sicians. The servants generally entertain
themselves by afable communications with
the children who cluster about their windows
tossing them japanese contectioner!es and
pictures, and receiving in return protnse
thanks, with which they appeartully satisfied.