Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-10-22
BEFORE THE TYcnnN

Mr.. Townsend Harris, the American Minister
to Japan, on the I'd of May had an audience with
the Japanese Tycoon, in order to present letter
from the President of the United States, &c
knowledging the visit Of the Japanese embassy
and their excellent conduct here. The ceremony
was peculiar As he aud his party entered the
room of the Council OF State, the three or four
hundred officials present squatting upon mats,
touched the mats with their heads. Soon after
Mr.. Harris had halted, sort of kissing noise was
made simultaneously by all present This is the
signal of appearance or departure of the Tycoon.
Instantly q curtain was drawn aside from the
room in front of Mr.. Harris, which disclosed to
view the boy Tycoon, eighteen years old, sitting
on his chair of State, a dais some fifteen inches
above the main floor. Mr. Harris advancing
slowly, boWing very low, walked up in front Of
the Tycoon, and delivered his speech, assuring
the tycoon of the friendship of the President OF
the United States, his desire for the Tycoon's
happiness and prosperity, the qualification felt in
the United States at the visit Of the late embassy
expressing the hope that that event will
strengthen the ties of friendship between the two
countries, and estifying to the excellent deport-
ment OF the envoys while in this country. Mr.
Harris speech was very short, but was excelled
in this respect by that Of the Tycoon: '.The
receipt of the letter and statements satisfactory
The friendly relations between the two countries
shall be increased more and more. Your long
residence here must be wearisome to you." The
Presidents letter, wrapped up in white satin,
was then handed by Mr.. POstman to Mr.. Harris
who placed it in the hands of the Minister of
State, and the latter handed It to his majesty,
This done, the Kissing noise was again heard,
and his majesty rose, whtn the American minis
ter and his interpreter retired, "crab fashion,"
and the interview terminated. Next day the
presents were exchanged, consisting of two
bushel box of assorted candies, which was sent
down to the American consul at Kanagawa, aud
by him distributed to his friends. This COM
prises the whole c0re mony of an audience with
his majesty the Tycoon, about which SO much
mas been written by imaginative travellers to
Japan. The Tycoon is described as good look
ing, rather delicate than otherwise, but on the
whole, very much like " Tommy" lie is If no
account, whatever, except as plaything for the
Damios, out of whose body he was elected to
subserve their selfish ends. We have contradic.
tons of tue great stories told of the magnlicence
Of the city Of JeddO. The wonderful and mys-
terious palace of the Tycoon is declared to be
nothing but huge barn or railrOad depot, or
freight house, except not halt 80 high-the pa ace
being one story only, some thirteen or fourteen
feet between the floor aud ceiling. The ceiling
is carved woodwork, similar to their temples,
which are generally occupied by foreign minis
tiers and consuls, and many of them ave very
This carved wood work is filed In
with gilt paper, wioh gives very brik kht, cheer
ful eifecr. The ground work of all the palace
paper is white, spanged with vines aud uees,
plants, birds, overs, Sc, done with exquisite
taste with gold gilt, as it appears, but ouly with
a composition formed of copper, nickel aud Que
or two other substances.