New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-25
SIGNS OLE PROGRESS.
OPENING OF THE RAILROAD FROM YOKOHAMA
TO YEDO-DEsCRIPTION OF THE CEREMONIES
SPEECH OF TIE MIKADO.

OPENING OF THE RAILROAD FROM YOKOHAMA
TO YEDO-DEsCRIPTION OF THE CEREMONIES
SPEECH OF THE MIKADO.
On the 14th of October took place the formal
opening of the railroad between Yedo and Yokohama,
in Japan The day is described as most charming. The
people at both began to assemble very early.
train started Yokohama at 8:l5 with those OF
the foreign ministers who in that city, AID who
had been invited TO meet the Mikado and accompany
him throughout the whole proceedings Punctualy at
O'Clock the Mkado left his castle and arrived at the
Yedo terminus. In passing from his carriage,
he bowed to the persons each siae. lie
then for moment stood still, while
Inoye Masaru, the Chief Commissioner, advanced
toward him with plan OF the railway 80 far as con-
structed which being held at arms length hand
some acQuered tray the Mkado took in his hands and
gave TO an officer at his side. The presentation
made standing but with low bow, and the chief COM
sioner retired backward until he reached his posi-
ton in the van of the procession The personal appear
ance Of the Mikado is thus described in The Japan
Gazette
II lis difficult to give an explanation of the Mikado's
attire as il was totally different from any costume
known TO any foreigners that the very
ing. Suffice it, them that commencing at ms rect, he
embroidered. Descending TO these were the wide
trOwsers called hakamas in this country made Of rich
white SILK. and from his neck TO little below the
knee tunc of rich brocsde OF kind OF amber or light
chocolate color fell At his back was kind of obi,
sprngng over light frame at his waist and flowing ia
two long red sken trains into the hands OF ainbearers
His hair drawn tightly back from his forehead was sur.
mounted by a Hat skull cap, placed on the very top OF
his head and from the back rose what at rs many sup
posed be feather but which was in fact very deli
cate and flexible gauZe appendage, nearly Two feet
long, and inclinng rather forwards. His Majesty can
by stretch Of Imagination be considered Roodookng
His front face is somewhat intelligent but his profile Is
decidedly pain-Yery prominent mouth WIN very re-
firing chin-but he bears himself with remarkable
dignity without any excessive prlde or assumption All
the officials in Court costume which, II IL DC not
elegant has the advantage OF richness DOM LII material
and IN cOlOrlDg.
On orrivin of te Yokoharna terminus rho Mikado ex-
pressed his satisfaction with the decorations Addresses
were here delivered on the part Of theidpomac corps
and others.
All the ceremony being now concluded in Yokohama,
the MkadO retired to drawng-roOm prepared for him.
and rested short time before the return Of the train to
Yedo But here episode occurred well worth record
ing AS soon as the Mikado and all the officials had LETT
the pavilion, the people made rush upon it, aud in
few minutes the chair on which the Mkado had sat was
broken up into little bits, and the carpetion which
he had trodden was into shreds-a who able
t. secure scrap OF either the one or the other deemDg
themselves extremely fortunate The police tried TO pre-
vent It, but they could do nothng-the whole affair
so suddenly and vigorously DONE that they we're help
less Besides this there Ia that good humor about
It which characerizes the Japanese and which gives
charm to aRtheir amusements On returning to Yedo
the Mkado read the following speech to the assembled
officials:
You announced TO me the completion Of the first line
me great pleasure that IL is great source OF conyen
fence. This great work begun In the early days OF
an extensive general reform, with the nope mat
the people would enjoy at all times the benefits
arising from II. The perseverance aud energy
which have been manifested in carrying 10 out
are worthy Of high praise expect 70 result In an In
crease OF the national prosperity, and congratulate
both Won and the people the prospect which lies be-
fore us IL my intention TO develop the railway sys-
TEN still further and hope, beginning with this ne TO
spread II throughout the country
More addresses then delivered, after which the
MkadO returned 20 the castle.