The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-17
A TALK WITH AN EMPREss.
An Account of an Audience with Her
Majesty of Japan.

Majesty of Japan.
Lady Freemantle in the London Queen.
This is an account of an audience with
the Empress of Japan, just relating what
actually took place during the visit Of my
cousin, Miss Wells, and myself to the
mikado's palace, may be of some interest
at the present time. We duly received our
cards of audience through our British
charge d'affairs, informing US of the hour
at which we were to present ourselves
at the palace, and of the dress which is
de riguer on such occasions, viz: Robes
montantes en- train long" To meet the
necessary requirements 1 had to adapt
handsome evening gown of black and
gray brocaded satin, trimmed with black
velvet. by filling in the neck and sleeves
with black lace. A set of moon stone
stars, necklet, etc, completed my costume.
Miss Wells looked well in a handsome
gown of black broche silk, trimmed with
front of black beaded net over mauVe
silk and gold ornaments.
We were received at the top of the
steps by three court officials in plain
black court dress. who conducted us
along numerous corridors, all very hand
somely carpeted and papered, with here
and there a magnificent old lacquer door
brought from some old palace. At length
we were shown into a magnificent room
= looking into a court, with fountains and
shrubs, the room very well furnished in
European style.
We had not long to wait before being
ushered into the presence of the empress.
The room in which she receives private
presentations is very small, and 1 was
quite unprepared to come upon her so
suddenly, and only just had time to make
my curtesy before finding myself close to
her. The room was almost devoid of
furntture-only a table or two and some
pretty Japanese ornaments. The EN-
press was accompanied by three ladies',
La Vicomtesse Takakura Dame du Pa
lais), and Mile. Kagawa and Mile. Anne
koji Yoshiko DANES dHonneu), all
dressed in soft mauve or gray shades of
brocade, with high necks and trains. The
empress had on mauve brocade made
with high-rather pointed-bodice, and
fitting beautifully, and the skirt plain,
with train. She wore some beautiful dia-
mond ornaments in her hair and on her
neck. She is small. as are most Japanese
ladies, with a pleasant face, and, I can
imagine might brighten up if she were an
mated; but, during our visit, she was
perfectly emotionless, and we could just
see her lips move, but scarcely heard what
she said. All our conversation was car
ried on in a low whisper, and, as l lowered
above my little interpreter, it was most
difficult to hear what was said, and 1
had to bend my head in the most uncom-
Portable way. Our interview did not, how
ever, last long. Asking me how many
weeks l had stayed at Nladivostock, 1
answered three days, your majesty"
WAS it not possible for the admiral to
postpone his departure, and remain for the
Fete of Chrysanthemums? Then the en-
press told me how glad she had been to
see me. and put out her hand for me to
take. l then made another curtsey and
retired Miss Wells taking my place, and
after her little interview we both backed
out of the royal presence.