Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-20
Letter from Washington.
lFRoM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON. D. c., Oct. II, 1871.

WASHINGTON. d. c., Oct. II, 1871.
IS IT AN AWAKENING?
This morning loitered long in the bureau OF
education, attracted thereto by an interesting
episode and conversation produced by the
presence there of Mr.. Mori, japanese charge
d'affaires to this government That gentleman
was sedulously seeking information. Personal
ly be is a gentleman Of refined and pleasant APP.
pearance, OF middle stature, slender, with a
trained courtesy of manner sometimes quaint
from its slight formality In color his skin is
saffron-hued, though not unpeasantly so, while
keen, intelligent eyes and white teeth, frequent
ly shown in a pleasant smile, relieved and
frightened his face. Like all his coun-
trymen here, Mr.. Mori dresses in the
ordinary clothes Of western barbarians.
suppose that what is lost in picturesqueness is
made up in convenience, but had been at Yale
recently, where this accomplished young diplo-
mat the is only about 25 years of age) made
a notable little speech, | think it would have
best fitted the occasion TO have seen him wear
ing the flowing robes Of Japan, of whose emer-
gent period he is one of the finest types. lam
reminded of that first embassy or mission, which
Whitman describes in his Broadway Pageant"
chaunt, of 1860:
cover sea, hither from Niphon, courteous tho
princes of Asia, swart-cheeked princes
trst-comers, guests, two-sworded princes,
Lesson-g1ying princes, leaning back in their ba-
rouches, bare-headed, impassive,
Tais day through Manhattan they ride"
gentleman, attached to the bureau of educa-
ton, who was 1.-THE Yale Inauguration, describes
the feelings produced by Mr.. Morris reyerential
tribute to the outgoing president, the venerable
DR.. Woolsey. do not know that you have
seen an English copy of the neat little speech
made by the Japanese in his own language. As
itillustrates some points in the conversation
had at the bureau to-day, copy here all but the
introductory words:
1T is great honor 10 me to be present here
within the sphere Of such a great and learned
BODY. IL IS MOI Tor my own qualification alone
bur also that Of the japanese government that I
have the honor of making the personal acouain
lance of the well known aud renowned author
of international law. His book is, / am pleased
to say, very highly regarded and used by all the
leaders Of civilization in Japan.
at is true that Japan has begun 10 know and
realize the magnitude Of the world and as well
the importance of improving their social condi-
ton. For this they are greatly indebted to the
influence Of the western nations, and especially
to that of the United States, which has been re.
eeiyed and respected as .ust and beneficial
There are now abroad many japanese. some
hYe hundred in number, who are mostly sent by
the government for their information about
many things of human interest. The schools
| 10" Delng established are mostly English and
Is quite possible that before long the language
Oh Japan will be the English tongue"
FEASIBILITY OF TEACHING ENGLISH,
Mr. Morris attention was called to-day to the
last clause of this brief address. and he wa :
asked II he did not mean rather that the Ian.
guage OF literature will be English, than the
vernacuar or common tongue would become
so?
In reply Mr.. Mori said in the main that the
nterrogatory expressed the opinion he would
convey, To learn the written language Of Japan