Year: 1871

eieuee Altogether, the avidty Of the pcople f0f
knowledge 10 extreme, and The sttainments already


TIE GoTernmcu. has employed many foreigners IN
positions whore they expected 70 do good In many
caHos the authorities have been imposed Upon. Simple,
Straightforward contracts have been converted into Jobs
OF prepOstsrous magnitude, and perfectly fnccpetent
men have, ey various meahe, been foisted into tat
paiArtes and pCetiens where their Incompetence or
fascaty has Suspended defeateA Important measures
on the otheS hand, many Of reputation and ability


re working heart ana hand TO cradle the Japanese 20
take the stand they entitled TO among the nations,
ana which they earnestly dese attain The japanese
HoVernneut sought sueh for the improvement Of
Inor agriculture ana manufactures, aud found him IN
Gen Capron, late Commissioner Of Agriculture Of the
United States This gentleman arrived here last month
VIII sml stan Of scientific men, for the purpose Of


TAXING chafge e7 measures for the development OF the


large northern island OF Yesso This island Il reported
TO be rich both IN soil ana minerals but rs less known
even TO the Japanese. than Other portion Of tie
Empire Gen. capron and his party have been received
with signal honor by the japanese Governments, and
Americans here hail this fact as an indication Of the
reaction in OF the United States mentioned above
the attentions paid 10 Gen Caprons Commission are
In many respects unprecedented, few may
to show how the Japanese receive foreigner when
they choose TO do 20. - .-'


On arriving at Yedo for the purpose Of reporting them
selves TO the Emperor for duty, Gen. Capron and
party conducted TO an elegant residence inAthe
grounds of the celebrated Temple OF Shb0, which has
heretofore been occupied occasionally by the Mkado
and only by him. Here they found their household CON-
petely established on handsome scale, every Difference
having been paid their western tastes. Since then
thay been honored by State dinner given at the
palace in the Summer garden Of the Tycoon, by the
Prime Minister at which a the highest OFFICIALS OF the
empire the Tenho himself, were present IL was In
this palace which is built in mixture Of European and
Japanese styles, like the bungalow Of wealthy Ang~-


Indian decorated by japanese artist that the Duke OF
Edinburgh entertained when in Yedo. The grounds
surrounding the building one Of the sights OF
the city and afford q beautiful example OF land
scape gardening OF 800 in extent lying toward
the southern part OF Yedo and along the bay. On
the 10th the commission presented to the
Tenno, and as, by the kindness Of Gen. Capron
and the courtesy Of the officials your correspond
dent Of the party am able to give tolerable de-
scption Of ceremony which has not as yet taken place
so often have become old story. Upon leaving
the headquarters Of Gen Capron in state carriage,
sent for the purpose escorted by company Of
cavalry commanded BY officer Of rank In full court
costume.


The street crossings guarded by soldiers and
by ropes drawn across them to prevent the intrusion
OF the people upon the path OF the procession and at the
gates the three molted walls which surround the pal
ace Of the Tenno the guards drawn up for review,
presented arms we passed Arrived at the inner
gate, We dismounted and left escort, being here
taken in charge by several officers who guided rs for


the remainder Of the distance. Once within the sacred
inclosure-and there few Japanese even who have
seen ia Of beauty presented such as never
expect TO behold again One Of the leading traits Of this
people their devotion to nature and here was Nature
in her oveest dress her beauties intensified by an oc
casona contrast with art Long vistas opened through
trees noble growth and centuries old Placid lakes
bordered by feathery bamboo and exquisite Japanese
evergreens lay ripping the bottom Of deep ravines
Emerald gems prairie, set in frames Of camehas 20
high; rvuets spanned by rustic bridges OF most
graceful construction; waterfalls rock work, glades,
caaracts bosly des whatever they may BEL succeeded
each other in such prousiOn that your correspondent


lost his head and with ervent wish that the engineers
of the Central Park coud the beauties Of their noble
grounds add sune Of those were passing, resigned
himself TO a dream OF faryand Which lasted till after
| mile of such scenes, reachei an elegant Summer
house Of several rooms, built at the base Of wooded
knoll with lake stretching away TO the Left and a
tumblng rivuet In 'front.' Here met by several
members OF the Cabinet who welcomedu us heartily and


invited to be seated upon dvans covered with purple
dalnAsk table draped with gorgeous fabric Of the
same material Tea then served and, In compliance
ancient custom attendants placed before each Of
us Of sweetmeats foot square and which is con-
yentonally supposed TO from the table Of the
Tenno himself Here waited for hair an hour; con-
versng the aid Of interpreter when we were IN
formed that His Majesty was ready to receive us.
Droprng our hats while the officers who accompanied
US doned large lacquered shoes In place Of their Ord
nary sandals we pursued way for perhaps eighth
of mile farther, till, in a little glade surrounded by
trees AMI nteected by wandering rocky brook saw


more elaborate building, the back portion Of which
was screened from view by heavy curtain Of white aud
crimson silks few steps more and, entering through
the open front OF long room we were IN the royal
presence.


The reccpton-room WIS carpctcd with heavy purple
silk, and without furniture the simple chair
like throne occupied by the TennO with a painted
screen behind him The Emperor sat at the further end
Of the hail. a syordbeare on either side and behind
him. the right in 'front.' the Prime Minister. and


lines Of officers extended the right and left down the
room to the entrance. After making bows TO which
His Majesty responded gracously the Emperor said
few words In japanese, the Prime Minister read the
deliberately in the same language, and the onicia
Interpreter followed by reading translation OF this, His
MIestys speech which was as follows: Longing after
your perfect scientific knowledge and wide experience,
while you occupying the position Of the Chief Of the
agricultural Department in the United States, have
invited yOu to my country from America, and engage
you to charge OF the measures for agriculture OF
the Island Of Yesso in supporting my high authorities
there. beg you will understand my desire, and operate
Jointly with my high authorities there to produce good
result. expect you will accomplish meritorOus ser
vice" To this Gen. Capron responded briefly in English,
to this effect:


MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY: Having been called
by your Majesty from position under the Government
important Department OF Agriculture so fortunate
az enjoy the confidence Of the Executive for series
OF years. accept post Of honor and dignity in this
Empire have the honor TO tender You my services for
the development of the OF Yesso hope that
my long and practical experience aided by that OF
my assistants, eminent In their respective protes
slOns and already tested at home be valuable not
only In increasing the agricultural resources OF our neld
OF labor but nthe development OF those branches OF inter
nal commerce aud manufacturing industry which should
precede and form the basis OF the agricultural wealth OF
the country Convinced that this the drectlon IN
which desired my efforts should be made beg
leave to your Majesty that shall TO the utmost