Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-08-22

the singer look in immediate danger O
apoplexy. Generally the subject of tn,
song is the story of some old Darimo'l
struggles, either in war, in hunting, or il
some ancient game, which is acted in panto
mine by the dancing girls; and this is al
there is of Japanese dancing. 1t really j.
not dancing az all, if to dance one must use
the feet and move the body in graceful
motion. They scarcely move at all from one
spot on the Il DOR, but use their hands, arms
and head to give expression. A pretty
pantomine it is and nothing more. In these
matters of harmony and graceful motion the
Japanese are more backward than in any
other accomplishment, and, strangely so, too,
when in architecture. in paintings, bronzes,
everywhere, one sees no sharp angles, nothing
but the pleasing and the graceful.
After three hours of sitting or kneeling,
our dinner was ended by our host appearing
before his special guests on Bonded knees,
soliciting ones little lscqued cup and filling
it with saka (rice wine), drinking the wine
and returning the cup for the guest to follow
suit. This in strict accord with time hon.
ored custom, and the highest honor host
can do his guest. Then followed profu-
sion of bows with forehead to the floor for
the Japanese, hand shakings and compli-
ment for us; the placing in our carriage of
four pretty boxes of good things left of the
feast; sharp drive of six miles to the
station just as the dusk went deepen
ing to the dark, and the close of
one of the most delightful day of our lives.
But those three hours of sitting cross-legged
on the floor. like tailor on his bench, or
kneeling like nun at prayer, told heavily on
the bones and muscles and sinews of my
lord. All the way home he was plying his
poor knees and his poor ankles, and wonder
ing if he could ever walk again Just as he
used to and if ever, ever, he should be quite
SO tall as he had been only that morning.
Well, it aoas hard-especiaily for a man
weighing nearly two hundred and who can
scarcely fasten his own shoes. He groans
yet, If mention it, poor fellow!
Are the Japanese progressingp Do they
appreciate the importance of development
for the minds of their people-for the
growth of their country? Read the follow
ing from the one hundred and TWEEN
ty-fourth sovereign in his line,
sovereigns whose reigns embrace more
than twenty-five hundred years, and whose
government has, until the accession of the
present Mikado, been more despotic than
even that of Persia-and answer for your
self:
At the entertainment given to the governors
ernors' assembly by 81. NJ. the Mikako, his
majesty addressed the governors in the follow
ing terms When l ascended the throne
implored the assistance of my illustrious fore
fathers to restore the former power of my dy-
nasty, to introduce great reforms in the coun.
try. and to promote the welfare of my faithful
subjects Among the great changes carried
out, the establishment of the .tu and ken and
the abolition of the feudal system occupy GER
tainly the first rank. The policy I have
adopted proved to be good one; reforms pru-
IDENTIFY introduced, either in the government
or in the administration, lead US surely
towards improvement, and hope that I will
soon be enabled to grant to my people the ben
eft of constitutional government. But much
remains to be done ; the people, harassed by
internal connections, had but seldom the OPP
portunity to enjoy the advantages of peace.
The nobility is getting instructed, but they are
poor the wealthy men are, for the most part.
to the great detriment of the country, still ig-
norant. wish to change this deplorable state.
and hope that my officers will assist me with
all their intellect and power to accomplish that
difficult task. You, the governors of the pro-
vinces, are we'll aware of the needs and wants
OK your QlbuIlCC5, anu WlSQ eQ8t you sQOulQ
apply yourself to follow my instruc-
tions, and to carry out my schemes for the
benefit of the whole country. If there are in
your localities some noblemen, web instructed
but without the means to take advantage of
their knowledge, you will have to assist them,
and ifrequiled appoint them to suitable Offices,
and those who are wanting in knowledge you
will try to engage to take advantage of the
various means of instruction placed at their
n ian f,f opfE
GENTLY acquainted with the political affairs of
the country, should come to criticize the
actions of my government, or express their
dissatisfaction with the measure adopted, ysu
will endeavor to correct their ideas and to i'm
press upon them the necessity of the steps
taken; but avoid all violence, use but the
power of persuasion and be good councillors to
them. Assist me in carrying out the great
schemes / have formed for the welfare of my
people, to increase the influence of our country
aud to advance it in the path of civilization.
HESTER A. BENEDICT.