Morning journal and courier., 1883-12-28

timbre, of spotIess black relieved
 by narrow gilt stripes, and all en. | veloped by huge green silk cloth. The horses were arrsyed in faultless gold plated harness, displaying here end there the | Mikado's crest. This crest also adorned the
 footman's cloth, and appeared in dead gold upon either side of the green silk canopy. This footman's cloth, by the way, was the most showy piece of furniture connected with the whole equipage. It was made up of the national colors, red and white, and was ornamented with innumerable tassels. When the green cover was removed I caught \ a glimpse of the interior, which was a marvel of rich simplicity. The two seats facing each other were supplied with preceded cushions with just delicate tracery of the ] national colors visible on gold background. \ About the coach were the coaehmen, wearing | long coats, the tails of which sported six huge brass buttons and reached almost to the ground,-plug hats ornamented with 8 I band of gold, white gloves, standing collars ! and white ties, with the other aecoutrenents ! of civilized apparel There was also 8 de- \ taehment of his maiesty's private police, I uiEd iu dark blue uniforms. with swords dam gling at their sides, and most O them smok- 1 ing cigarettes in dignifea, superior way. I could endure these airs of importance, how ever for it was really refreshing to find even European vices after 50 long an expscience l with heather virtues.
 At precisely eleven o'clock the signals an- nounced that the royal train had struck the half-mile switch, and moment later 1t rolled slowly into the depot. It consisted of seven carriages, with the Mikado's own gar near the center. The engine was decorated from headlight to tender with festoons of, foliage liberally sprinkled with immortelles, chry- santhemuns and other native flowers. As soon as the train had come to halt the doors of the imperial coach were thrown ajar, and forth stepped the Imperial Princes Komatsu no-mia and Higashi no-miya, followed by tho Mikado himself, who walked at once in a rap i'd business-fed way to the coach in waiting. As he did so there was profound scrap1ng and lowing among those in the immediate vicinity. This, however, was scarcely more than one Jap will do for another at any time,
 and when it is contrasted with the abject prostration which was practlced about ten years ago when the Emperor first exhibited himself publicly, 1t is apparent that there has been g change during this decade in the popular sentiment touching the relations which exist between people and sovereign. Doubtless his majesty also appreciates this fact, and while he is still an absolute mon- arch vested, according to the State religion,
 with the attribute of infallibility, there are certain things that he would not care to do to day which might have been possible but 8
 few years ago.
 The Mikado was of course dressed in Euro DUdu sGy16, HIS dppdEcA OA uniform of dark blue, with white bands down the pantaloons and similar stripe around the cap. The lappeI of his coat was adorned by the imperial crest, wrought in silver.
 There was nothing prepossesslng about hls personal appearance. On the contrary, he is darker and his features gre less attract
 i've than is the case with the majority of the upper class Japanese. The beard which he had the temerity to cultivate looked so thin as quite to command my commiseration, Except for his erectness of bearing and keen, thoughtful expression, he possesses little in the way of physical attractions to recom- mend him. As surveyed him critically, could not help coming complacently to the conclusion that would have made much better looking Mikado myself.
 After the royal coach had been relieved of it's precious load, the other cars were emp tied of the polysyllabic worth1es who ocs@- pied them Then followed the Marine band and halt troop of Lancers from the capi- tal The officials also took the carriages ln
 waiting for them, aud while the procession was forming stole around to the royal train for the purpose of getting view Of h1s nss.fsst5 Co5Ch. GsEzasfsea- according to the plan of an English frst-class carriage, but was conspicuous even as to It's exterior by reason of special augmentation.
 The Mikado's crest appeared three t1nTs 1n
 gilt on either side, once in the centre and once toward each end; while sll around the top ran an elaborate gilded eornice. Inside there was the same rich plainness which had characterized his private barouche. To superficial eye at least, and perhaps to an observant person also, the interior would not appear half so attractive as that of common palace ear on an American railroad. The up> holstery of the three sections was msnufac- tured at Ozaka, and regemb!sd the cushions already described in the barouche. Heavy tasseled and brocaded curtains hung at fEa HaEr nTld 1hra Is Fp0r- pet covered the floor. I have since looked upon the new royal palace car, now in course of construction at Tokiyo It is go- ing to be real work of the car. builders art, remarkable not only for it's intrinsic costli- ness but also for it's sumptuops and modern appointments. It stands under shed where it has been built and is now all complete, save for the furnishing. It is constructed of native~woods of the greatest beauty, the panels of which, within and without, are marvellously perfect. l measured the center one on the outside and found it to be little over three feet wide by eight feet long. It was without flaw. It's center was occupied by the Nikado's crest artistically executed between two dragons. The handles to the doors were of heavy silver plate, and were carefully wrapped in cloth to keep them from furnishing. When entirely finished this car will be fit for the accommodation of any ruler, be it of the orient or the occidant.
 
 made up, and hastened to follow in its wake along the two mile drive to the race course. Bettos or grooms, who ride perched upon the back of fine carriages, are much made of here, and it is not necessary to say that his majesty's equipsge was HberaHy supplied.
 through squalid huts and abominable stench
 es for a time, and finally along picturesque bluff This street had been eut down about two feet for the occasion, in order to make the grade easier, process which had dis- conmodea the inhabitants sadly. But per haps the greatest hardship was the compelling of the people to clean up for once the vast quantity of rubbish and garbage which al- ways lends the charm of it's presence to these narrow Japene8e streets. In addition
 to this the drive had been nice- ly shingled by the race officials
 Arrived at the race ground. the royal party was met by committee of the club, and the several ministers Of France, Germany, Italy,
 Austria, Russia, Holland and several other countries, by whom the honored guests were conducted to seat in the grand stand. Dur ing this 0orvrzIUuy uiIo Imperial n1arfno band played the national anthem, 8 weird indescrio- able but not altogether unpleasing air. The
 ''grand stand" proved to be miserable, tumbling structure, the thought of using which for hog pen would suffuse the cheek of a Yankee farmer with bushes. 4 special seat had been provided for his majesty, but the riokety background ..afforded by the di. lapidated shed seemed lamentably out Of place when sheItering man who sways the destinies of 35. GOO, 900 of people. However, his majesty did not complain, and as he is said to be exceedingly fond of horses-though himself an inferior horaemar-be doubtless enjoyed the sport which followed. The course was toierably good one, and the races would not compare unfavcrably with those to be witnessed in any American city. The animals entered were divided among foreign and native proprietors, and the riders were some foreign and some native. I am quite sure the Mikado had 8 gay time that day. His idea of 8 good time is based largely upon the flowing bowl and as
 this important article was available on an un- limited scale, there nothing to interfere with his nlajesty's full enjoyment. In fact,
 have it on authority that is unquestionable that the Emperor of Japan was con- siderably befuddled as he betook himsslf back to his palace cn this memorable day after the sport was over Yet for all this weakness, the present Mikado is com monly esteemed an able ruler, and he has certainly conducted his people through an epoch of national development which is