The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-05

was Offset by his dignifed amusement when
ever the women in the audience gave vent
to shoulders and mufled calculations on
beholding the bones of the hand and arm
Invested apparently Of flesh.
Following this part Of the programme a
number OF X-ray photographs were thrown
on white silken screen, interpreted with
pictures OF various battleships and scenes
from abroad. His immoblity was broken
on one or two occasions as the navies OF
Russia, England. France, Germany and
the United States passed in review. His
eyes at such moments became unnaturally
brilliant without removing them from
the panorama he leaned forward and
questioned Baron Komura In low voice,
particularly as the English ships paAsed.
As views Of the Bosphorus were thrown on
the canvas he inquired particularly about
the Notifications Of the Dardanelles and
! their strength. Being shown the statue Of
Liberty he inquired why it was OF woman
rather than of a Washington or a Lincoln.
The tomb OF Washington being revealed,
he gazed at it long and intently, Then,
in subdued yet audible voice, he COM
mented upon the modesty of the mausoleum
AZ compared with the magnificent tombs
of the Shoguns at Nkko, particularly that
OF Ticosama, the great military genius of
Japan.
Following the Roentgen ray photographs
and other scenes, "A storm tossed battleship
was depicted, his Majesty ordering it alb
brev waited as ii gave him dizzy feeling.
Before leaving the palace tempting
collation. was served, the ices and con-
fectionery being stamped with stars leaves
flowers and ohrysanthemums, quantities
OF it accompanying the writer back to the
college Driving away the road spanned
a narrow causeway over deep moat
where the present Car was attacked by
fanatic policeman while visiting Japan as
the Car, witz some years ago.
This visit not only afford I'D close view OF
the Mikado, but II emphasized the demo-
cratic innovations encouraged and insti-
tuted by him.
When he assembled the throne the Mikado
was as a holy of holes. He ventured
abroad only In closely curtained car drawn
by buliooks. and no one but his house
hold and his highest Ministers ever saw his
face. His people, regarding him as god,
believed that when he died he would eI-
perience an apotheosis.
Such WAS the Nikado Komei. What Ia
the daily life OF his SOM
He is very matutinal, breakfasting by
7 or s o'clock every morning Having
broken fast he at once proceeds 70 his ooun-
Gil office, ready to attend TO affairs OF State
and he sometimes continues at work until
far into the night. Rugged of physique,
he is a stranger to WEAKNESS, and is always
ready, at any hour of the day or night, TO
receive any Minister on matters OF impor-
lance.
His Majesty never renders q decision
until he has arrived at a clear understand
ing Of the subject His work goes on with
out interruption, whet he be at Toxic.
Kioto or at Hiroshima.
His style OF living is extremely frugal
and fNe from ostentation. His wardrobe
and table are comparatively simple and the
palace decorations chaste TO the point Of
severity. He is fond OF riding and il an
accomplished equestrian ping an ex-
cellent stud and regularly importing the
best breeds Of horses from America and
Europe At military reviews be always
apisdrs On horseback.
Since the Go-isshin, or Great Revolution,
the Mikado has given special care to foster
ing the martial spirit Of Japan and has
depleted his fortune with an open hand
in improving the military and naval arma-
ments of the country. The restoration
marked the establishment Of a War Depart
ment, the navy at that time being limited
to seven vessels. while the army was COM
posed OF sundry regiments, which had
hitherto stood in the service of various
feudal lords
During the Japan China W ar he removed
for time TO Hiroshima just as in the early
stages of the present conflict, and there
in daily contact with the opera
tons and in constant communication with |
the officers in the field.
The writer having, prior to this COCA
sion. already seen him several times at
military reviews and once during a recep- |
ton at the palace, and having formed an !
opinion of this remarka BILE ruler, few J
reasons may he advanced for aoclaiming |
him as one OF the greatest personalities |
in history This can best be done by briefly |
his life.
Mutsuhito was born amid the mountains
at hioto on Nov. 2, 1852, being the sc oond |
son Of the Mikado Romei. His mother
was lady of the imperial household, and
he fact that the blood OF the original
Mikado Jimmu has not been thinned In
being transmitted through l20 sovereigns J
IN direct line TO Mutsuhto is a tribute to
he mental and moral stamina of this oldest
dynasty now reigning on earth.
Screened amid such luxurious gardens as
Rasselas had in the Abyssinian Valley,
Mutsuhto passed his first sixteen years.
His early education was supervised by his
mother, woman Of exceptional character
md attainments, and was extremely liberal
Inder the circumstances.
He early exhibited fondness for geog-
-aphy and history-a trait that has re-
named with him and has ended in his
being exceptionally we'll informed as to the
ways and workings Of the outside world
or one who has never been away fro m
Japan. One Of the Japanese traditions
s that the reiRning sovereign shall not
visit a foreign land or even accompany
MS army or navy on any foreign eKpedi-
jon whatsoever.
Despite his early seclusion, so rigidly
by ancient custom hardened
nto routine, puts and gusts Of news from
lfar came 10 and awakened in the young
Prince a mental hunger that has never
been appeased.
His Observation-Disclosures liter
lily, means gentleman, n term, by the way,
hat has not become 30 common in Japan
Is elsewhere. Yet his youth was not passed