Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-10-21
The Japanese Court.
From a Lecture by Minister Delorg.l

Upon arriving in Japan my first duty,
of course, was to present my letters oi
credencc to his majesty. To my surprise
! was informed that | could only DO so al
an audience, at which, although his mai
esty would he present, he would be in a
great part concealed from view. either by
tapestry or by screens, aud was further as
sured that an audience 10 this form was
tho only way in which it had been accord
ell to others. l at once declined TO be
thus received. insisting that as the repre-
sentative of the president Of the United
States | was entitled to stand IN the full
presence of his majesty, and that to sub
nit to anything else was to admit an ine-
quality highly derogatory to my govern
mept. This point was at last conceded
1t was then proposed that l should hand
my letters to the prime minister, who, in
my preseuce, should hand them to his
majesty. This | likewise declined to do,
respectfully insisting that, as | was the
bearer of a communication from the ruler
my people to the ruler of theits, it was my
duty to place the Same personally III tho
hands of his majesty
It may strike you that these matters
we're inimportant, but they were TAR from
being so. | was laborlng to strike down
oriental dogma of superiority by asserting
and maintaining unequivocal equality
Prior to being received | was furnished
with diagram showing the various ap-
proachcs to the castle, the entrances there
to, the halls. apartments and rooms there
in, which [ vas to enter or pass through.
This diagram was so specific as to indicate
the exact STANDPOINT to he occupied by my
suite and myself and also by the leading
officers of the japanese government when
in the immediate presence Of his majesty.
THE FORM OF CEREMONY
described was that, when arrived at the
castle, was to he received at the entrance
by IL vice minister for foreign affairs; by
him, with my suite, | was to be escorted
to room in the castle where | would be
met by the chief minister for foreign af
fairs. and with him there partaGa Of re.
freshments which l would find prepared
ter which | would be introduced 10 all the
other officers of state, who would retire
Immediately. After which, at the sound
of music by the court band, signifying that
his majesty was ascending the throne,
would proceed to the audience, escorted by
the minister. at the time appointed | SCI
ou, on my Journey for the castle surround
ed and escorted by large tody Of troops
foot and horse, provided more for my pro
lection than my honor. The street corners
we're guarded by companies Of infantry
with ropes stretched across them to keer
back the surging multitudes who had as
sembled to see the foreigners pass. and
who greeted our approach with insult and
derisiou. Thus attended, lat last rcache
the reception room where | was waitec
as per programme, and introduced to al
of the high otficers Of the state, arraved il
their indescribable robes Of ceremony
Presently the music: as it was called. was
heard it seemed to come from all quar-
tiers of the castle at once /; the air wa.
slow and dirgc like, played upon reed ln
s'ruments, pitched to the highest key, anc
il sounded to me like solemn protest Of
fered by twenty-five centuries OF seclusor
against the approach Of progress in the
niueteeth century. The way to the audi
ence chamber and the approaches to th'
throne itself were thropged with courtier.
and officers. each bowed almost TO the
ground, with their hands resting upon thel
sword. in instant preparation, and thel
keen black eyes gariDg like baslisks.
Immediately to the right hand Of hi
majesty sword-bearel ield ha,f.drawl
sword ready for him to grasp, whist ini
media,ely behind him was perfect arse
nal of most murderous looking weapons
within his reach. My sensations can easi
er be imagined than described.
BEFORE HIS MAJESTY.
| found his majesty seated upon throne
2 which | cannot attempt to describe, th'
whole capopied by most magnificent dam
ask and Aankcd by griflians. birds and an
mals 10 antique bronze. We here re
peated the prearrunged congaatulator,
speeches, which sounded On the atmospher
of such surroundings as false and hoiw a
language could. This being ended, az
vanced immediately to his majesty ant
handed him my letter, receiving his ow
, for the Precedent in return. While doin
this noticed that his majesty was YER
much agilated, he being youth Of ool
obout nineteen years. This ceremony be