Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-02-16
VISIT TO A JAPANESE PRINCE.
A Gorgeous Palace and n Royal Enter
tNtnment.


/ Prince Koshin's castle, 300 years old,
with its grand walls and giant towers
echoing with the tread of horses and
troops over it's graveled walks and re-
sounding with bugle calls, really made
4 up picture such as | had read of in
fancy tales, but never expected to be-
hold. After passing through the outer
moat We went through gate after gate,
each guarded by troops, and frowning
! in their barbaric sullenness of two cen
tures of time upon us, until at last we
now halted in front of the grand en-
7 trance and all dismounted save the min
lister, whose horse was carefully lead up
the stone steps to the door itself, and
alight so as not to touch the
earth on his descent; thence into the
castle, up flights of stairs through wind
ing corridors, filled with armed retain
ers and cringing servitors, until all
knowledge of the route We had come
WAS completely lost, we were led to the
grand reception hall, where, seated in a
barbaric state, surrounded by guards
and ministers, was the Prince of Koshin
Our reception was very courteous but
exceedingly brief, MI being almost at
once shown into an adjoining room,
where his prime minister received us
while our minister remained with the
Prince | did not get to see enough of
this august parsonage to crafty me- l
saw enough, however, to make me feel
that we were safe; that we had not been
invited in for slaughter, but for hospit-
able purposes, and so felt at ease.
From here we were allowed to ascend
to the tops of the castles towers, where
we could look out upon most won
drous scene of beauty, composed of
/ city, country and sea, with our ship
rolling at her anchors in the distance.
On our return from them we were
informed that we were to remain during
the balance of the day and that night in
| the castle, and on the morrow go to the
hunt. This was very pleasant, but l
was filled with wonder to know what
we would be given to eat, and how we
should sleep. l was soon put to rest
on this score on being asked into a ban
quet hall, in which was spread table
in European style, and all our dishes were
served in courses in approved style of
French cookery; and when we were
ready to retire at night, I found splen-
did European beds awaiting us, each
being cut off and hemmed in by mag
nifcent screens, forming many rooms
out of one This struck me as being
exceedingly strange, but it being very
agreeable, 1 asked no questions, and
took my share. | was amused by the
bedding, however. 1t consisted first of
silk mattrass and pillows, and lastly of
large dressing gown of silk ut least
four inches thick, with sleeves, etc, in
which you were first dressed, and then
laid out on the mattrass like huge
giant. They looked cumbrous, but
were really light and very agreeable.
At early dawn we were aroused, given
toast, cheese and coffee, and again
marched out with squads of cavalry and
infantry for hunt. l was lost in won
der to know how it was expected that
we we're to kill any game thus escorted
with all that pomp and confusion but
very soon we reached the banks of n
river, crossing which in boats awaiting
us, we found little hastily constructed
road had been made during the night,
leading into an immense tract of rice
fields. Then our gu I'd halted, and we
found ourselves In the presence of n
large delegation of country esquires,
each of whom, it seems, had received
orders to stop all work in his rice-field
for the day, and summon his laborers
to do duty as settlers and pointers for
the guests of the Prince.
Then followed the hunt. Such an
other scene you never saw. The rice
fields were alive with wild geese, ducks,
snipe and the most magnificent cranes
that ever stalked the earth Wholly
unused to being shot at, they fell easy
victims to our barbarian arms, and, as
they would fall, away would go the
naked coolies in rush into the water
to hunt up and bring back the game
while others raked and swept the walks
clear of all leaves and dirt; and some,
surrounding themselves with bundles
of rice sheaves, would walk
ahead to serve as shelters for
our near approach upon the game
and others, with chairs and re-
freshments, were constantly at hand to
accommodate you with both when you
wanted rest. The least wish was antic-
ipated and instantly gratifed. OF such
a royal pleasure it was never mine to
taste before You were not allowedto
carry gun or game, to get from under
the shade unless you wished to do 50,
and at every hand boats, chairs, or
whatever you might wish, were yours.
Thus we sported until noon, when
we were taken all the way back in
barges, and again RECALLED with ban
quet as parting meal, escorted by the
troops and ministers, and sent off to our
ship with piles of fruit, meats and
nicknacks, enough for ships company