Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-05-18
TnterestInr sketches or nc Japaps.s.

gives lively aud readable sketch Of thu
Japanese now at winaras Hotel in Washing
ton whore they have apartments splendidly
filled up expressly for their accommodation
The writer says;
From the moment that the Embassy reach.
ed the hotel to the present, the vicinity has
| been crowded with all sorts Of people anxious
to get sight Of these Eastern curiosities.-
In vain are notices posted that ''none but
| guests of the house are Admitted" and 4
crusty cerberus posted at each Of the DOORS
The crowd rushes in, and, strange to say, COM
prises, might say, an undue proportion o.
ladies.
They crowded the reception rooms, psered
into the strangers faces, fngeredtheir garments
and in all ways exhibited far more curiosity
and Rstonishment than the imperturbable
objects Of their interest. Indeed the Japan
ese made themselves at home Immediately,
and as soon as they could reach private rooms,
ayailed themselves instantly Of the beds and
lounges. To all the importunate inquisitive-
ness evinced by those around them, they ap-
peared quite as imphyious and stoical as II
they could not see, or be jostled, or suffocat-
ed in a crowd, or incommoded in any of the
numerous ways persisted in by their tormen-
tors. At least dozen Of the lower officials
soon spread about the hall, and soon made
themselves quite at home. Around each a
little knot would collect trying to exchange
languages, learning the names .of knives
cards, watches, features and various objects.
The signs and motions, the loud talking, as
if one or the other was deaf the baby talk,
and attempts at Dutch, French and Japanese
were exceedingly entertaining Three or
four of the japanese very obligingly eonsen-
tnd to write cards for the ladies and gentle
men, who presented their own in return
How long this would have continued, and the
good nature Of the scribes endured, it is diff
6cult to say. Certainly they were kept writ
ing until the ink in their portable inkstands
had nearly run dry. The artist meanwhile
was busy with his sketch-book, recording ell
sorts Of things for the eye Of the Emperor
A few took stroll about the lower part of
the hotel, in the lobbies-looked at the cigars
and newspapers, smoked puff or two, gave
out samples Of their tobacco, shook hands
with everybody including the walters, and
altogether made themselves quite comfortable.
It was amusing to hear the comments of the
crowd. SAint they like womenp What
do they wear two swords for 2" "They look
like Chinese" Look at his head shaved. -
/" Hes got trowsers like Turk !" "See his
white sandals" )" Guess he's one ofthe cooks; :"
" Wonder if he's a Prince;p Can he eat
rats;" and a thousand similar remarks and
inquiries.
About clock theprincipal members of the
Embassy, together with a number of naval
officers sat down to dinner prepared by the
Hotel and differing but very little from an
ordinary dinner for member of Congress-
In the use of wine particularly, they proved
quite as apt as the best Christians present, and
it may be believed, there were some salamander
throats present with the Navy so well repre-
sented. The Japanese used their knives and
forks with great skill, considering that those
implements were new TO them, and generally
evinced great aptitude in learning. They did
not, however exhibit any embarrassment at
the peculiar manners of those around them,
but with the utmost sang frOid, do just what
inclination dictates, including sitting on the
floor, smoking in the parlor, and l was in
formed by an intensely distinguished New
York Councilman, even splitting on the car
pet. One of them created little consterna-
ton among the ladies by suddenly drawing
up his loose pants and crossing his legs under
him, exhibiting pair of calves that attract
ed some attention. As he kept perfectly quiz
ct, the ladies giggled, and pretended to turn
their heads.
One ofthe first things done after their srri-
val was to place their money-some Sso.000-s
in the hands of Messrs. Willards for safe keep
ing. What a sensation would some barbarian
burglars create if he could put his,paws on
their treasure During the entire voyage the
containing the treaty, the rati-
icstion Of which Is to take place, and the
treasure, has been vigilantly guarded. 1t was
this that created so much curiosity at the
landing, and on being carted through the city
perched on top of an omnibus. Think of the
much boasted treaty between America and |
Japan travelling into Washington on the top |
of fve-cent omnibusl Shade of Mika-do-
Dairi, think of that
In his anxiety TO show his gratitude, one of
the Japanese bestowed handful of japanese
coin upon an Irish porter, who had ham
He'd his baggage. Pat was at first at a
loss to know what to do with the money, but |
IN an instant the cnriosity-seekers who wit |
messed the incident, were buying him out with |
quarters and half dollars until he was show
cred with enough to pay his next months
rent.
A number of the Japanese evinced great |
interest in the different styles ofcigars They |
would take one offered them, and, after |
breaking of the end and smoking a little, |
would break off more and hand it back |
literally requesting the giver to smoke their
Did "sogers." They also passed around their
pipes to be tried by those who wished-risk-
ing condition of the tube similar to that of |
the instrument upon which the boys "try the |
strength of their lungs" The bowl of their
pipes are very small and contain but enough |
i'ta-ba-ko" for few whifs.
An incident occurred in the reading-room
which would seem to indicate that John Bull
IS not much in their favor One of the inter-
prefers said, with very good English accent,
'San Francisco fine city +; Washington fine
city. We like America, Russia, France-not |
ike Englishp' and, with a significant shrug
Of the shoulders, and an expression of con-
Tempt for the English he left.
Thus far they have expressed themselves
greatly pleased with the attentions paid them
and are perfectly satisfied with their quarters
They have also declared that they are not
offended at the inquisitiveness of the lockers
IN. Their example would certainly inculcate
better manners. Besides the princes, some of
hem are very rich, and are gentlemen of
education and refinement This in meas
Ire, if not entirely, accounts for their apps-
,ent effeminacy.
They have athletes and laboring men in
heir own country, who are as robust as the
,est of US. Commodore Perry, it will be
'ecollected, saw a number Of these professions
i athletes, one of whom, Koyanagi, was the
Keenan, of Yokohama, and trained to as fine
development physically, as the vauquisher Of
England's vaunted champion.
The presents to the President will be prob
Lbly opened this week. They are, it is said,
If the most costly character, ornamental and
lseful. On the occasion Of the presentation
IN Wednesday, the present rather unbecom-
ng travelling dresses of the Embassy will be
hanged for appropriate habiliments of a
icher description. The MIME rifles which
hey bring, manufactured by themselves from
amples left them by Commodore Perry, have
IN improvement in the method of loading,
which is much praised by both our Army