The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-03-28
Heathon Beauty--.The Dress and Ap.
-pearance or Ewakarn'si Japanese

Heathon Beauty--.The Dress and Ap
cpearance or Hwakurn'si Jnpanes,
Girls. ,sf@ :! fet asa't gtl E.ses.t2
Washington Correspondence of the Buffalo Courier
| March 18th. II So
Yesterday | called upon the feminin,
branch OF the Japanese Embassy. Th,
young ladies are five in number, their age.
ranging from eight years to fifteen. Little
Tuda Ume, the youngest of the group
might easily be taken for a four-year-old
| Her size Is not an inch above that of the
average American child at that infantile age
and her manners are quite as artless and en-
gazing. 1t Is pleasant to notice in these
children the indications of superior training
| Those who have compassionately imagined
| that We were to become custodians of some
uncultured scions Of rude and unciviized
race are doomed to 4 most agreeable disap.
polntment. It has never been my pleasure
to meet more charming manners among
children than greeted me yesterday after.
| noon. The utmost refinement evinced itself
in their every movement. The magnifcen.
robes in which they arrived are now laid
aside for the simple habiliments of their new
home. Not vestige Of oriental drapery is
retained in their American makeup. For the
voluminous wrapping Of silk, crepe and EN-.
broidery which are at present displayed fol
the admiration Of curious visitors, are sub
stituted bustles, and paniers with founces
and furbelows, ddtntSntt,r'1. Andvery pretty
do these maidens appear in their fresh and
jaunty costumes. Already they have learned
to manipulate that most indispensable fashion.
able adjunct known as the overskirt. They
lift it as dexterously rs the most expert pale.
faced belle; while the short street dress
which they have never before known, seems
as familiar to their experience as to ou1
own. Verify these are marvellous people,
They have but to observe to correctly initiate
In consideration Of which it is to be hoped
that they win never have the misfortune to
observe anything unworthy Of imitation.
Perhaps they will have the good sense to dis
crimnate between the worthy and the I'm.
worthy, In which case we may trust for their
wholesome escape from the deformitieS Of the
Grecian bend.
The eldest Of the group, Umeda Tai, is
also the handsomest. Her sweet round face
in its framework Of rich black hair, would
be absolutely beautiful but for those objec
tionablc almond eyes. Possibly we may learn
to find even that feature attractive in time
but for the present they rnquestionably are a
drawback in the American estimate of oricn.
tai beauty. The three remaining names are
Yamakawa Sutematu, Nagai Shige, and Yo
shilnasu 1.-Two. These cognomens are unta.
miliar to Yankee tongues, it is true; but
though they may prove unpronounceable
they are none the less musical, and we shall
probably derive certain consolation from
the assurance that each one of them is signi
ficant of some poetic sentiment. 1t may be
interesting to know also that in Japan
our order of naming IS reversed, the
surname having precedence. Plans fol
the future of these young Ladies are now
under consideration. 1t is presumed that
they will be placed in Vassar College, but as
yet their future is not definitely decided
upon. By instructions from the japanese
Government, Mr.. Mori relieves Mrs. belong
Of their charge, and while awaiting his viii
in their disposal they are i'll the care of Mr.
Charles Lanman, Of Georgetown, where they
will form the centre of quite a social circle
Still, in society proper they have no place
In the festivities Of the occasion they car
take no part whatever. The world to them
is an unknown book, with which in theil
native land they might never hope to become
familiar. Five years i'll America, however
will doubtless accomplish much different
results. even though the time be spent within
| the protecting enclosure Of college walls.