New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-08

10 exchange visits with one another. ana on
fixed days to receive calls from persons supposed
TO be suitable for their companonship The
custom is not without disadvantages. owing to
circumstances which. If disclosed at all, should
be narrated with more minute detail than is here
desirable: but il Is step in q good direction ana
under proper restrictions-wh have not yet
been appIied-may become beneicially effective
This experiment. it should be remarked. is as
yet confined to n limited circle and probably has
scarcely been heard Of outside the capital Years
might pass before IL would have the least appre-
ciable influence upon the country in general II
is difficult to get the japanese out or their
grooves by any pressure. and the mere fact that
social Intercourse is now freer and less con-
strained than in preceding generations. among
the families Of prominent officials. IS by no means
sure TO impress the provinces faVorably. or II
induce provincial inhabitants to follow the new
lead There Is however. a certain way OF ar
resting the attention Of the whole populace. ana
compelling their respectful consideration OF any
proposed modification Of current usages. Inc
Emperor's name IL supreme. His prestige has
never been weakened by the advances OF the
nation in the line of democratic development.
What he says Is listened TO reverentially what
he does is noted by all and deeply studied. The
promoters Of the movement for eleVaung 'he
women Of Japan TO their proper station could
not have conceived anything better calculated
IN strengthen their cause than this universal
celebration OF an event which equally concerns
both the Emperor and Empress. and when
brings them forward into public view as the
Joint occupants Of the throne. For the FIRST
time the sovereign approaches his subjects in his
private and domestic character. His meaning Is
unmistakable. whatever the consequences OF ms
action may be. If we may judge by Appearances
the nation has entered fully into the spirit OF
the observance knowing exactly what 1t poE-
tends Whether the present feeling VIII last or
fade away is question that must be Ieft Tor
time tn answer In any case. It is a question
that cannot be altogether evaded The eXuper-
ant enthusiasm which prevailed during the fest-
val was a fortunate omen, for there was no lack
of testimony that the congratulations were main
" offered to the Empress. Notwithstanding the
mystery which surrounds court. enough Is
known Of her history and personality to make
her the object Of a fervent and boundless de-
votion. The simplicity and sweetness Of her nat
ure. her constant activity in works Of charity
and the generous sympathy with which She in
terests herself in all measures for the comfort
and welfare Of the poor and humble, are at
tested by innumerable incidents which cannot
he hidden from the multitude. and through
which she has inspired an affection for the
woman. far deeper and truer than the conven-
tional homage accorded To the first lady Of the
land.
The holiday was not all that could have been
wished for a. regards the weather. but the ardor
of the citizens did not appear to be dampehed
by the msts Of the morning or the occasional
showers of the afternoon and evening. soon
after daybreak the streets Of the capital began
to swarm with crowds. which grew in density
as streams OF visitors poured in from other To-
calties. 1t was reckoned that not less than
million were added. during the twenty-four
hours TO the regular population Of Toxic WIN
the customary cheerfulness of japanese
throng. the multltudes diverted themselves by IN
specting the decorations everywhere displayed
all brilliant in color and ingenious In design
but seldom Of costly material the Emperor nav
ing caused instructions to BE- sent 10 the various
wards 10 the effect that he would De DeS'
pleased by the avoidance Of extravagant OUTLAWS.
The pOstOfiices We're invaded, as soon as ihry
were opened, by purchasers OF the stamps issued
&C nenentoes of tn. dav which, on account Of
their limited number, eagerly sought Tor.
Only "a 300 900 Of the value Of two sen had been
provided. and 100000 of the value 81 hVe sen;
No others will be struck off, and they VIII
eventually be much coveted by collectors. In
he afternoon Of the 9th the centre OF attrac-
ton was the parade ground near one OF the
palaces in which the Emperor reviewed some
IL 900 troops drawn from the household guard
and the garrisons in the neighborhoOd OF TOXIC.
In the drive from his residence 10 the field HIS
Majesty was accompanied by the Empress who
beside him in the carriage. 10 Inc denghl OF
the spectators this being the third instance ~
their appearance together in the open air. The
effect of the review was married by the condition
of the ground. which had been melted into soft
mud by the rains Of several preceding days.
But the loyal masses Were full Of good humor
and lavished acclamatiOns until the last OF the
imperial cOrtcge had withdrawn. No further
popular entertainment was I'm store with the ex-
ception of the fireworks which We're prodgally
supplied and were OF the highest order Of Japa-
nese pyrOtechny.
The proceedings at Court were conducted on a
scale of rare magnfcence. and with a perfection
Of detail which compelled the admiration Of the
most ex!gent and critical among the foreigners
in attendance. The preparations had been In
trusted, for the most part. 10 the supervision OF
Mr.. Y. Sannomya. one Of the Masters OF Cere-
monies in the palace. whose peculiar executive
ability Is especially shown In the management
of great functions Of this description. The diffi
cules Of his task could hardly be explained 10
persons unfamiliar with the complicated ana rlgiI
requirements Of japanese etiquette and with the
necessity Of maintaining system almost OF geo
metrical precision. not only in the marshang
and grouping OF guests. but also in the disposition
Of articles Of utility or decoration Travellers are
often reminded of the exactness OF position and
gesture and the methodical distribution of fur
nture and other properties essential TO the cor
RICHNESS Of so unpretending a performance as the
'cha -no-yu." IL may be imagined 10 what extent
the need of watchfuness t. increased when the
materials employed are counted by thousands,
and when the participants in an evenings enter
tainment constitute a small army. Simply as In
dicative Of the profusion Of supplies considered
appropriate 10 palace soiree 1t may be men
toned that more than twelve thousand candles
were lighted on the evening OF the 9th. for the
illumination of halls occupied by nearly $500
guests. The subordinates occupied with such
mutltudinous accessories must be guided by
direct authority are the evOlutiOns Of a bat
TALON OF infantry The fOrmalities connected
with presentation to and communication with the
Sovereign impose more delicate duties upon the
Master of Ceremonies. who is presumed to be
responsible for literal adherence to the rigorous
code which governs an imperial banquet in this
country On this occasion the successive incl
dents Of the day were carried through with
promptness and deXterity which allowed no
chance for awkward distractions and made the
celebration well nigh faultess in matters con-