Connecticut western news., 1872-03-15
Washington. March Ist. 1872.

We cannot decide this morning whether March has come in like lion or a lamb, as the day partakes of the qualities ot both animals. Many things are thus contradic- tory beside theEweather, but time will soon declare which wins as victor, north winds or the brilliant sun. Yesterday in a snow storm, four or five Pullman cars came rushing into the station house with over 100 dark haired, dark-eyed brunettes from that far off, and until of late years, to us half fabulous island, girt about with almost inaccessible exclusiveness. The new and strange fact about this is, that with this Japanese embassy come five princesses, laying aside their traditional recluse ideas, and with the veil lifted, ready to see and be seen, and ready also to take on our civi- lization and religion. It IS said that some one had given to these young Japanese ladies some ideas of our social life and customs, which led them not only to leave their island homes without serious regret, their country to choose them as the favored ones These princesses are from 8 to l6 years of age. Onida, musical name, is the eldest. Fezda the youngest. Some Japanese students are in Washington. They were waiting at the station and sprang into the cars on their arrival. We could we'll imagine the joy of such meeting with friends fresh from home scenes and asso- citations after long absence from father land. Their bright eyes are on everything and sparkle with intelligence. One feels on looking into their faces, which arc of varied types, that he would like 10 learn the smooth outline of the southern European or north African, with curving lines and soft complexion: another has the high cheek bones and wide mouth of the south ern Asiatic and then another the peculiar oval and broad mid-face of our Indian. Mir Mori the charge here, we meet not unfre quently at receptions and reunions. He always receives much attention, and wher asked for information on all subjects DO litical or civil respecting his country, he replies in good English with pleasan smile and his bearing is always courteous and agreeable. Oriental politeness is prov erbial. The party rode immediately to th' Arlington, after the address from Coy Cook of the district, who is a very popu lar official here brother of the banker
 Jay Cook. The Governor was replied to by the chief, or Premier Inakura, wh. thanked the Governor and people in pleas ant and emphatic terms for thelr kind re ception. They seemed greatly delighted at safe arrival after delays and some ad verse experiences, all of which MT. Mor translated. The rooms at the hotel ant lodging houses were decorated with flags festoons of evergreens and flowers. Fron Mrs. Grant they received most beautiful Japan lily, which was made the centre o large boquet. It was at once joyful, recognized by the Japanese. They greete' it with pleased and smiling faces, as lik
 themselves, wanderer from their far ot island home. They appreciate every littl
 act of kindness and courtesy extended t them, and their every faculty seems ou tn
 quivive, which gives to those expressly
 faces vivacity and intelligence. The wifi
 of member of the legation residing i
 Georgetown. takes the young prlncesses i
 charge till summer, when MT. Mori is t place them In school, some say at Vassa
 college, others Mt. Holyoke. In the near ) time they will be as much objects of cur osity and interest to us, as we to them
 Japanese gentlemen are not rare in ou f country, but Japanese princesses are neN exotics even in Washington.
 5 c. P. COWLEs.