Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-13
VII.

1t proved to be the most delicate and
savory repast that had excited their APP
pctitos this side of Europe. The friars
had their consultations, and even Dona
1gEacia Arguello was less Gastronomic than
Father Landacta. RezanoT, whose epicur-
ism had survived year of dried fish and
the coarse luxuries OF his managers sud
denly saw all life in the light of the humor-
ist, and told many amusing versions of
his adventures in the wilderness, and even
Of Ills misadventure with Japan. that the
priests Choked over their wine and Langs-
dorff, who had mot grain of humor
swelled with pride in his chance relation
ship 10 man who seemed able to manipu
la;e every string in the human network.
He viii succeed he thought. He will
succeed. | almost hoped he would not. he
Is So -Edifcrent-I might almost say 50 hos
Tile to my own scientific adventures But
when he is IN this mood, when those cold
eyes hrim with laughter and ordinary
humanity, | am nothing better than his
slave"
Koz1uov. in reply to an entreaty from
Father l'ria To tell them more of his mis-
sion and OF the strange picture-book country
they had never hoped to hear of at first
hand, assumed tone of great frankness
and intimacy. I'VE We're, with astounding
clcverncss, treated from the first like an
audience in a new theater. After we had
solemuly been towed by a string of boats to
anchor under the Papen mountains, all
Nagasaki appeared to turn out, men,
women and children. Thousands of little
boats, decorated with flags by day and
colored lanterns by night, and filed with
people in gala attire, SWarmed about u.s.
EHZed at through telescopes, were so
thick on the bay one could have traversed
It on foot. The imperial sailors were dis
tinguished by their uniforms of a large
blue and white check suggesting the pima
fores OF a brobdignagian baby. The barges
of the imperial princes were covered with
blue and white awnings and towed to the
sound OF kettledrums and the loud meas
ured cries Of the boatmen. At night the
thousands OF Illuminated lanterns, of every
color and shade. the waving of fans. the
incessant chattertng. and the more har-
moniOus noise that rose increasingly above,
made up a scene brilliant as 1t was juve-
nile and absurd. In the daytime 1t was
more interesting. with the background of
hills cultivated to their creStS In the form
OF terraces varied with rich fields hamlets,
groves and paper villas encircled with lit
tie gardens as glowing and various of color
as the night lanterns. When, at last, l was
Eraciously permitted to have residence
on q point OF land called FegaSaki, | was
conveyed thither in the pleasure barge of
the Prince OF FISH. There was place for
sixty oarsmen, but as one of the few
tokens of respect l was enabled to record
for the comfort of the mighty sovereign
whose representative l was, the barge was
towed by 4 long line OF boats, decorated
with rags. the voices of the rowers rising
anu ldIllilS III measured CluenCe as tney
announced TO all Japan the honor about
10 be conferred upon her. l sat on a
chair OF state IN the central compartment
of the bargs, and quite alone: my suite
standing a raised deck beyond. Before
me on a table. marvelously maid, were
my credentials. l was surrounded by cur
tains OF skyb,ue silk and panels of polished
lacquer inwrought with the imperial arms
In gold. The awning OF blue and white silk
was lined with n delicate and beautiful
tapestry and the reverse side Of the silken
partitions were Of canvas painted by the
masters of the country. The polished floor
was covered by magnificent carpet woven
with alarming dragons, whose jaws pointed
directly at my chair of state. And such
an escort and such a reception. both of
ceremony and Of curiosity. no Russian had
ever boosted before. Flags waved, kettle
drums beat, fans We're flung into my very
lap to autograph. The bay, the hills. were
q blaze of color and a confusion of sound.
The barracks were hung with tapestry and
gay silks. /, with my arms folded and in
full uniform. my features composed to the
impassivity of one of their own wooden
gods, was the central figure OF this mag
niicent farce; and II may be placed to the
everlasting credit Of the discipline of courts
that not one of my staff smiled They
$1,000 with their arms folded and their eyes
pn the inlaid devices at their feet
'Nnen the first act was over and 1 was