Year: 1879

tai of the rather famous of late for
public entertainments. eclipsed itself by the mag
nifcence of its fote to the Mikado. In no other
country. says the Toxic Times. could such charac-
terstic assemblage have been witnessed; such
quiet popular gathering. such n multitude with
out tumult rowdyism. such taste in its
accessories and such cordial hospitality in
to the Mikado had been for some time projected by
the citizens OF Toxic who were anxious that their
Emperor should receive from the people Of his
capital the same display of loyalty which, so far
had principally been confined to the provinces
through which. from time to time. he had made
royal progress. The Mikado arrived on the ground
shortly after half past three in the afternoon.
| corted by u troop OF lancers and accompanied by
| the representatives OF Toxic, who had met
| him at the Park entrance. The presenta-
| eighty years of age was then made some addresses
were read and replied to- and. at about halfpast
| four. the games commenced which were to form the
principal attraction OF the fete General Grant and
suite and the diplomatic body having arrived in the
| meantime. The first performance consisted OF
lance and sword exercise, Ill which hundred
men took part fighting in couples either with lances
the usual padding on their LETT side. while the
heads protected with masks, and right Justify
broadsword exercise afforded the most amusement.
especially when in the excitement OF the tussle the
two would drop their weapons and fight out the
battle by wrestling. often rolling over and
over each other in their monentary wrath
vexation. After this came the Yabu Same. or
| archery by mounted horsemen, and of all the
games this certainly was the most entertaining. A
straight road across the enclosure kept by hur-
dies forming q riding of probably three
hundred yards and three white paper targets stood
in front OF backboards at equal distances, each
target being about ten feet from the road down
which the archers to ride fun speed The first
target was at the commencement OF the course, the
second in the middle and the third .tar at the
esque costumes, which are now only to be
seen in the prints OF = past civilza-
of deer bear skn their heavy strrups. their long
bow and their quiver of arrows at saddle seat Start


ing at gallop, the archer places his arrow in posi-
ton with the bow held well up; he nears the
target the bow stretches, the arrow comes in line
impercepti6le motion discharges the shaft into
the target. cutting 1t in two and creating a
Of nsel paper TO attention 70
white "mop' to show the hit. The practice was
wonderful. and out of ten competitors but one
failed to the targets and he, poor fellow missed
all three Most struck all in succession. and the last
rider won well earned applause by brandishing his
arrow in his hand until the target seemed to have
been passed, when suddenly its very centre
was found to have been pierced! This
Chikugo and former Governor Of Kanaxawa The
"horo" and "kinu biki was interesting display
of Japanese horsemanshp. in which four riders
showed of the PAGES OF their ponies and the peculiar
action which such favorite performance be-
fore Western ideas came into the country. One
pecially effective aud very snowy animal.
The last performance was the ''nu-o-mono.. in
usual programme Of this game is to start
dog from circle (round which the
blunted arrows and then chased round the ground
Gn Monday drags were used, and much fun arose
overtake and shoot the drag. which drawn by
one OF their number at full gallop across the field
One black dog however, let loose, and he seemed
have been old stager at the game; for in spite
Of several palpabe hits from the bunted arrows. he
gave good sport IN doubling through tho crowd OF
pursuers until. tired out, ho allowed to rejoin
his keeper and go to kennel. The Mikado left
Immediately after the games when al the guests re-
paired to the supper pavilion where ample meat and
most ample drink were provided for an innumera-
BILE crowd Of hungry and thirsty souls From dark
until ten O'Clock unusually fine display Of fire.
works was let off from the lake, and the whole Park
became aglow with lanterns hanging in festoons
from tree to tree The road back to the station with
its myrads Of lights its crowds Of people its block
of carriages and jinrkishas s sight which will not
be forgotten by those who witnessed 1t; and who
will remember with pleasure the Mikado e Of tbs
25th August.


TIoN-ExrRACT FROM THE JAPAN MAIL.


We do not attach much importance to the rumors
which have lately been in the native press
rs the possibility Of any immediate hostilites
between China and Japan, but there be no
doubt the incorporation of the Loochoo Islands
into . Ken Of this Empire. entailing the
forced severance OF their old ties with the
Middle Kingdom" has created another element to
foster the feeling Of national jealousy. which. from
time mmemorial. seems to have been the prevailing
sentiment between the two nations. This antago-
nism dates from the earliest times, and seems now.
in early history. to be active and aggressive on
the part of the smaller country, while ii remains
passive and stoid on the part OF China How
long these conflicting elements may be kept from
cashng in actual warfare Is difficult. IL not impossi-
ble estimate. 1t Is somewhat difficult to realize
the reasons which have led up to the existing feeling
Of jealousy, II not actual antipathy. between two
countries which possess many causes for mutual
sympathy aud friendship 1t was from China that
Japan acquired her earliest civilization. her litera-
ture and art and even IL these influences failed to
impress lasting sympathy between the two coun-
tries it might reasonably have been expected that
State policy would have urged them to close alli-
ia defence of their Asiatc exclusiveness against
the gradual but constant nroad of Western
convinced that the present newspaper reports
represent the ideas Of this government. and
still less its intentions. Japan has gained her OBJ


ect by the formation Of the Okinawa Ken, and she
neither have prctext nor wish to excite Chinese
susceptbilties dull they may bel by any further
acts. Her financial position precludes the idea of
upon the permanence Of Mr.. Okumas scheme Of
present aud future economy. and her political
position requires further impetus than
can DO gained by internal peace and a
conciliatory foreign policy. We think. therefore.
OF her doing anything to break the peace; and
China--more than fully occupied with the troubles
depart from her established policy of stolid
immobity While, however. we consider that no
immediate danger exists of rupture between China
aud Japan we cannot our eyes to the fact that
the long existing antasonism between the two coun-
tries has or late received Traditional element OF
increase, and that the utmost prudence will bo
necessary to prcvont Its further development.


EXTRACT PROM THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE, OF


SHANGHAI, ON THE LooCHoo DIFFICULTY.


The recent announcement that His Excellcncy
Ting-JihChang had been appointed to Office
in connection with coast defence excited much in
forest among both foreigners and natives. The
office itself and important
In respects, indeed, important any
in the Empre-and not likely have
been created except tor some great purpose. Nor
Ting the kind of man TO be selected for posi-.
ton of small responsibility. Circumstances. there
fore. led to the supposon that stirring events might
soon occur. and 1t not long before the Loochoc
difficulty spoken of rs likely to rupture