Year: 1879




Toxic Times, July 12.l


Since his landing in Yokohama
General Grant has been chiefly oceu-
pied in visiting and receiving visitors
sightseeing and partaking Of the most
genial hospitality on the part of his
warm hearted entertainers. On Fri /
day, the 4th inst, the distinguished
traveller, accompanied by Mrs. Grant,
was admitted to an audience with the
emperor and empress. After Offering
not merely graceful but cordial
welcome to the general, the mikado
addressed him in words Of which the
following is the translation.


Your name has been known to us
for long time, and we are highly
gratifed to see you. While holding
the high Office of President of the
United States you extended to our
countrymen special kindness and
courtesy; and when our Ambassador
Iwakura visited the United States he
received the kindest civi,ities from
you. The kindness thus shown by
you has always been remembered by
us. In your travels around the
world you have reached this country,
and people of all classes feel gratifed
and happy to receive you. | trust
that during your sojourn in our coun-
try you may find much to enjoy. 1t
gives us sincere pleasure to receive
you, and we are especially gratifed
chat we have been able to do so on
the anniversary Of American indie
pendence. We congratulate you,
therefore, on this occasion:


The General replied as follows:


Your MAJESTY mvery gratiiied
for the welcome you accord me here
to-day, and for the great kindness with
which have been received ever since
came 70 Japan by your government
and your people. recognize in this
friendliness toward my country. |
can assure you that this feeling is re-
ciprocated by the United States; that
our people, without regard to party,
take the deepest interest in all
that concerns Japan, and have
the warmest wishes for her welfare
am happy to be able to ex-
press that sentiment. America
is your next neighbor, and will
always give Japan sympathy and sup
port in her efforts to advance. | again
thank your majesty for your hospital
ity, and wish you a long and happy
reign, and for Japan prosperity and
independence.


Her majesty the empress received
the lady guest with charming grace
and sympathy, and a few pleasant
words we're exchanged. In the even
ing the double event of the anniver-
sary of the Declaration of Independ-
ence and the presence in their midst
of the second saviour of their country
was taken advantage Of by the Amer
lean residents Of the capital to enter
tain the eX- President and his party at
a banquet at the Uyeno Seiyoken, a
iete which will be forever memorable
to those who participated init. Since
then no effort has been spared to make
the sojourn of the tourists agreeable
and varied in its phases. The princes
of the blood ministers and all the
prominent members Of the society OF
the capital have visited at the Enrio
Kuwan. On the 7th there was a
| brilliant review in honor of the zen
eral. On the Sth gorgeous festival
was arranged for him by the citizens
Of Toxic in the great hall of the Kobu
Dai Gaku. This was really a superb
display, and quite new depar-
ture on account of the large
throng of japanese ladies, The
same feature was noticeable at the
similar entertainment provided by
| the merchants of Yokohama for Grant
in the Town Hall. On this occasion
| Mr.. Hirayama Ginta, the famed pyro
technist seems 10 have outdone all
his previous efforts both in the quality
and the number of his brilliant but
eYanescent beauties. On the 10th
inst. the general remained at home
and received numerous visitors, in
cluding the committee of Yokohama
residents appointed TO superintend
the arrangements of the entertainment
to be given by the stranger community
Of the port. AT the choice Of the
guests the time has been fixed fol
some day in the first week of August
I On the 10Th or 10Th of this month the
general and bis party will sail fol-
| Yeddo, where they will remain a few
days; then return to Toxic, whence a
trip to Nikko will be undertaken,
According to present plans the sojourr
in this empire Of the x-President ol
thn Initial Stntnn Will tnrnlir o 10 or