Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-06-26

COURT FESTIVITIES.
How Thoy Arc Conducted In the Milxado
Palace at Tolxio.


Palace at Toxic.
The grounds and outside of the Ro-
kumeikwan were like fairyland, with
Japanese lanterns hung among the
trees, gas transparencies on the front
OF the building, and electric light per-
vading it all. Everywhere masses of
chrysanthemums-the Emperor's now-
Ell; over the doors and window were
gigantic ones, formed of a great num-
Der of blossoms; in an alcove at the
foot OF the staircase there was quaint
little shed, lighted by primitive Ian
terms, with display of chrysanthe-
NUNS in pots-just such little show
as can be seen in the evening in the
street or in a temple compound.
The Empress has lately created
order, the Order OF the Crown, for
members of the imperial family. ] saw
two of them for the first lime the other
evening. AS the name implies, it is a
crown OF brilliants, lovely ornament
with broad gold-colored MORE rib
bon. The swells all walk through the
first quadrille, then retire to a recep-
ton room adjoining the ballroom,
where they stay during the rest of the
evening. | sometimes think they look
little bored by their grandeur. | saw
two or three ladies in the charming
native costumes of gray crepe;
but they were the exception, and
of course, did not attempt to
dance. Formerly the majority OF the
in the way of style and taste; now it
would be difficult TO find better
dressed assemblage any whore. Many
of the weather. ladies import their
dresses from Paris or Berlin. | found
much more to interest me in the ante
rooms and corridors than in the dane
ing room. One met diplomats and
ambassadors from every European
court, and from Asiatic too The
Chinese Minister, and his solemn
beautiful blue brocadc dresses,
with the little bhlck silk slSull-caps.
which l think they must sleep in; they
certainly never take them off in public.
The Coreans are almost too curious to
describe; they are tall, fne-looking
men, with intelligent and pleasing
faces. They, too, always wear hat,
made Of black gauze, and worn over
ciose-fitting cap of black silk. the whole
secured by string of beads, usually
amber, passed under the chin. The
dress is delicate dove color, loose,
and falling straight almost to the feet.
There were Eng lish, French and
Russian men-of-war in port, and the
uniforms of the officers formed pleas
ant contrast to the regulation black
coats, not to mention the equally
pleasant addition TO the ladies' part
ners, for uniform is as much appreciat-
cd here as'elsewhere in the world. The
members Of the Privy Council were re-
splendent in their gold-faced court
dresses, SO you can imagine that it was
Il brilliant scene. The Japanese are
fond OF square dances, and dance thcm
in n manner to put us to shame. l
often wonder we make the attempt at
all. have never anywhere seen eight
people go through the Lancers with
out a blunder, except perhaps at a
dancing school. Out here it is often
ludicrous, for one sees English, Amer
leans, Germans, and French or Italians
all trying to convince the others that
his or hers is the correct way. The
Caledonians is very popular here. and
is a pretty dance.
OF the supper I can not tell you
much, except that every delicacy, in
and out of season, was there-all served
in the most approved European man.
ner. Supper is served at eleven. after
which the crowd-at first intense
Trims rapidly, only the dancing people
remaining to enjoy a quiet turn in the
partially emptied rooms. BY one
o'clock all is over, and the last car
riage and jin~ickisha have rolled away.
London Queen.