The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-23

few cushions ly ing on the noor. After the
presentations we seated ourselves upon
these low cushions and were immediately
served with tea, the inevitable preliminary
to every form of entertainment in Japan.
As soon as the guests were all assem- bled.
the sliding doors were drawn and the large
dining room disclosed to view, brilliantly
lighted by electric lights. On either side of
the room were placed fifteen little square
tables perhaps eighteen inches apart, and
at the head four tables reserved for the
American admiral and his WIFE, and the
two Japanese admirals, one Of whom also
occupies the position of minister of foreign
affairs. The little tables were about a foot
high, and il was with no little difficulty that
we dropped down on our knees and thence
into the Japanese posture OF sitting on our
heels.
On each table were placed three dishes,
each filed with peculiar looking food A
small glass futed plate contained thin
slices of pink raw fish and little round
balls Of white fish; on another plate were
melOn-shaped pieces Of pressed fish, orna-
mented with a border of deep pink sweet
meringue, some slices OF what appeared
like sausage, and pieces OF peanut candy
very much like ours. A cup of sauce and
a pair OF chopsticks com pleted the array.
We watched the Japanese dignitaries on
our right and left, and saw them adroitly
attack the soup, which was the first course,
making 1t disappear most s6illfully with
the chOpsticks we succeeded In cap
turing n couple of floating pease, and
after taking a surreptitious drink laid
down the bowl discouraged.
And now. after vainly attempting to en-
JOY the not tempting array spread before
us, which some of our party found quite
palatable, there followed a succession of
dishes, composed chiefly of fish in various
forms, first raw, then cooked. Almost
everything was served in the Japanese bowl
with a cover, and on this occasion they
were all Of exquisite porcelain. We took
off one of these covers to find preparation
of cells in a custard-like sauce. The raw
oysters, served with large sweet Japanese
lemon, were not unpalataole. There was
kind of meat, put up in small round balls, 50
as to be easily managed by the chousticks,
aud that tasted rather like duck. The fruits
were oranges and dried persimmons,
the latter not unlike figs, and the
repaSt ended as 1t had be
gun, another bowl of soup. There was no
removal OF the dishes, 30 before the meal
was over we found ourselves quite hedged
In by quantity Of little bowls. with their
half tasted contents, for much lberality
was shown in the selecting. Besides each
foreigner was plate on which was a slice
of roast beet, bread, sandwiches and salad,
with a comfortable looking knife aud fork
The drink-serVed most generously
saki, the liquor Of the country, served hot
and we think our respective neighbors must
have drank fifty each OF the little cups IL
is not polite to drink out of large glasses or
cups. Claret and champagne were also
given to the guests.
During the dinner there were Ave inter
walls. during which a number Of famous
dancing girls, or "Rishas," danced for us.
They were dressed in most elaborate
"kimonos," and their movements were
graceful, but not in the least like dancing
in our sense of the word. The motions of
their feet we're wonderful. We sat down at
$3.50 o'clock and at $3.50 O'Clock the last
course was served, and each guest was com
pletely hemmed in by plates. And now for
an hour the ceremony of drinking saki was
performed. There was no coffee and no
smoking. The Count Euomotto left his
place. Frustrated himself before our admiral,
reached his hands for the admiral's saki
cup, which was handed to him with low
obeisance, and receiving which he touched
IL to his forehead, and then gave it to the
attendant TO fill. Then it was drained,
dipped in a bowl of water and returned TO
the owner, who went through the same
| elaborate ceremony and waited for the mex
visitor, when the scene was repeated.
| Princes and potentates PROSTATE themselves
before you, but before every member Of the
party has visited you, the saki and the low
bowling which accompanies it become not a
| little tiresome.
Saki is like alight sherry, and is distilled
from rice, but is more potent than it seems.
Toasts were proposed to Japan by our adj
miral. and were responded to by toasts to
America. The japanese ladies rose to q
toast 20 them, and the American ladies re
sponded by rising in their turn. Three
cheers were given for Japan and the United
States and their friendly relations, and the
signal was made for our departure in the
midst OF good-natured cheer and great good
will. and we made our adieus with regret.