Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-05-19
THE JAPANESE AT FORT MONROE.
FoRT MeNRoE. Va NAV l6. ne

FORT MONROE, Va, May 10, 1850.
Editor Of the Star: After waiting all day yes
terday in vain TO catch glimpse Of the looked-for
Roanoke, in the evening
When the sunlight had been lifted OF the face of
- the sky,
And dar knees uncovered the stars to the eYe;-
ship was reported coming in. firing roc kets and
burning blue lights, and now were that
that was her." The r Ort band was stationed on
the parapetS to discourse welcome notes, aud to
reply to the ships music, which now came float
ing across the waters in clear and joyful strains
a salute from the II FOUNDER batter would now
have been pretty sight, but military etiquette
forbade, 50 it was deferred TO next day.
Merit Day-The distinguished officers of the
Navy and civilians dispatched from Washington
arrived in the Philadelphia, were duly presented,
and relieved Capt. Taylor Of his charge, escort
ing the Embassy Then the attaches and
wants, with remaining baggage, went aboard the
Philadelphia; after which, the Army officers of
Fort Monroe rendered a visit of courtesy, which
being duly accepted, about thirty of them went
aboard in full regimentals, and were in order of
rank presented to the four principal dgnitaries,
and generally acknowledged the favorable i'm
preston produced upon them by the dignifed
bearing and expression Of intellect in these Japa-
nese, so different from that Of the slouching rat
eyed Chinese.
Their slight stature, loose trowsers and flowing
robe or gown reaching to the knees, bare head
and deliberately dressed hair, with the absence of
boards, gave them almost feminin ne appearance;
their dark compleyions-that Of the brightest
northwest lndians-is to one accustomed to rate
brown men always below the white. unprepossess-
Ing, but travellers in Japan state that the females
there OF high rank, who keep out Of the sun have
fair compilations and rosy cheeks and IL has been
proved That men ever so white have, by going I'M
covered in the full glare of the SUM- become brown
IKE the japanese; hence it is assumed that the
japanese are white men, or would be IL they
wore something on their heads. The Prince at
the head OF the Embassy is evidently from his
perfect self-pOsseSsion and great dignity man of
mig nt and power az home, and accustomed to be
hOnored by great multitudes; and Judging from
tne lnteilgence he exhibits as well as his earnest
eno quiet bearing, be has placed himself in his
present position with a fun consciousness of its
dangers and importance; leaving wife and family
wealth and position, to be perhaps sacrificed uDon
chance and uncertain issue, or upon representa-
lions OF opponents TO his mission
At first sight there appeared little or no differ
ence IN the dresses OF the princes and their
ers; but We soon discovered that their trowser,
were very diferent-the finest brocade with bsau
tful figures Of birds and winged reptiles in ilIu-
minated colors, Were worn by the head prince
Others wore brocade trowsers less hs ndsoue. and
tne servants rowsers were Of common cotton or
ucklng- The two long handled swords also in
d1cated rank; and every one Of them whatever
his rank, had dyed upon their black gowns a
small white figure or symbol about the size of a
dollar, which in some ressmbled leaf in Others
three hearts with their points to the center; and
In the four principal offcials, who seemed to he
OF almost equal rank, the symbol was the same
and was worn on the shoulder and sleeve of the
gown. One OF the important officials Informed
me when pointed 10 II and asked its meaning
that II was the mark Of their family or bonse
80 II is the family cres,-a coat of srns-as the
feudal system Of retaners prevails TO its full ex
tent in Japan. This mark on some merit OF the
dress is found on every person. however humble
ne may be SO II seems the four principal person
ages are all Of the same family or rs one Of them
told me, - all the same house" After the presen-
taton OF the Army officers, and they had zone
aboard the Philadelphia, the four dignitaries
took warm and kind farewell of the Roanoke's
officers, were handed down the ships side bv
the officers in charge Of them, and left midst the
sound OF artillery and martial music The Japan-
csc flag Was lowered from the fore, the yards were
manned, and on reaching the steamer the Japan-
ese flag was run up, and the Marine Band aboard
played a welcome.
On board, Capt. Dupont, Commanders Porter
and Lee had prepared a sum ptuous lunch select
ing articles Of food not prohibited In Japan xncb
as shell fish, salads, terrapin. birds venison, con-
fections, ices, and wines. The Japanese ate snar-
lngly and drank moderately; wondering, when
the statue-ats of ice cream came in what the
graceful alabaster- looking Venus could be in
tended for; they INDUCED with glee in puIling
the snap kisses enjoyed the terrapin as an old &C
qualntance. After the lunch, the steamboat made
for the fort wharf, where an escort of honor and
the Artillery-school Band, besides large Dartv of
ladies full with crinolne and curiosity had been
we nlSitaI no1fs waldns the arrival Of the En-
Col Dimmick to visit the work Here they were
taken In charge by the Army officers The head
Prince was escorted by Col. Dimmck of the ar
uLery; the next by Colonel De RUS of the engi
neers; Others Of The JaIanese by Other Army off
c-rsi and ali landed to a salute more music and
present arms from the artillery drawn up on the
wharf The ladies' who were beau,inu in sroiIas
gay dresses and bright bouo uets were the srst 10
welcome the strangers on landing with bouonsts
OF The fdirest flowers from their fair bands
snd was very appropriate, in no country are
flowers more highly priced than i'm the home of
the JaPOnics. The procession entered the fort nv
tne principal gate followed by nearly every one
Hvlng on the Point, who, In Sunday clothes had
hocked TO Sec
They were taken first upon the parapet, where
they were shown the nature of cssemate and par
apet defences, the construction of the Uunrar
ria9es. the massive walls and arches the inteyio,
and exterior works, and the heavy guns fo- sboII
hTing In all they saw them seemed much inter
ested, ana ! am told that they are particularly
anxious to study our system of defence and IN
examine the improved rife cannon One or tIvo
OF them more emotional than the rest sbovyed
tnelr admiration by ordinations of wonder al
the sight OF the long arcades of heavy puns and
the Immense supply of war material whjcb ~
been accumulated at this Fort They only had
nall an hour to make their inspection, which
was barely time to give them a glance At the
most prominent objects-for n work with !. cir
conference Of a mile such as Fort Monroe can
not be examined In half an hour After the look
~ Ie gan' ana wslis, ana collation. where
turned to the boat, received a final salute from
the escort, parting airs from the band of innate
three hearty cheers from all on the wharf. 10
which many Of them replied by bowling and
waving their fans, and the boat went gaily on
her way.
While they were walking around on shore the
ladies' hoops attracted their attention. and one.
more curious Than high In rank, slyly lifted the
skirt Of the dress Of little girl I'm font OF him,
aud then, with knowing smile, dropt it, The
mower gardens; the fig, peach, and apple trees
loaded with young fruit; the country, smiling
Win green crops and waving forest trers; afforded
mem evident delight; and of the four princi-
PAL men expressed his joy at the sight OF the |
nul1 ana howefs of his own home; poi ntinp 10 |
Ioe dlHrfest fruits he called out Tapop-Sanon
emu en- - s1ss ne ineir names In his country en-
OF tne ladies, bright young Norfolk belle Was
dressed In Japanese fabrics which we've 1900
n ned with a smile Of pleasure "e'e ieoos
On one nde their inevitable fan: the rich b,o
cdoe p'ucost uowseTS; the chey.Iu,e 40 1ras,. |
n. lair OF long swords, together on al Is,,
sid the ckaussure Of clean, whit cote, go.
ape renty single band pinned LOOSELY 1890 |
the ANGLE; and the delicate white and looss sits
per-white being the color Of those OF IN. Snpf.
principals alone; the small. son and sffemine,s
hand, aud the little foot Of these four sons OF I'M
nn The deep-sunken eye, probably attfi bntabl. |
20 ihat organ being 80 unprotected unsheltered
as 10 have Induced u TO back in out of the sun as
much As possible; the graceful and deferentiaI
POSTURE OF the subordfnates In presence OF the
fIlaee, lwith the body slightly bent, the hands |
Issung on The thighs; the subordination and !
S,u,a VIII which their movements were con- |