kawa-kahei, who was one of the subordinate functionaries present during
the conference. They all showed a wonderful elasticity of muscle and
suppleness of joint which could only have been acquired by long practice,
and reminded one of those skilful contortionists or clowns, who exhibit their
caoutchouc accomplishments to the wonderment of the spectators. These
worthies, humble as they were in the august presence, of the commissioners,
had their worshippers in turn, who were more humble still, and who outdid
them, even, in their bowings and prostrations. Every Japanese is thus by
turns master and slave, now submissively with his neck beneath the foot of
one, and again haughtily with his foot upon the neck of another. The
commissioners, after a momentary silence, spoke a word to the prostrate
Yenoske, who listened an instant, with downcast eyes, and then by a skilful
manoeuvre, still upon his knees, moved towards the commissioners’ interpreter,
and having communicated his message, which proved to be merely
the ordinary compliments, with ail inquiry after the health of the Commodore
and his officers, returned with an appropriate answer to his former
position. An interchange of various polite messages having been thus borne
backward and forward for several minutes, through the medium of the
humble but useful Yenoske, refreshments, consisting of the invariable pipe,
tea in porcelain cups, served on lacquered trays, cakes, and some confectionary
were handed round.
I t was now proposed by the commissioners that an adjournment should
take place to another room, which they stated would accommodate comfortably
about ten persons. Accordingly, the Commodore having assented, he,
accompanied by the captain of the fleet, his two interpreters and secretary,
was conducted into another and much smaller room, the entrance to which
was only separated from the principal hall by a blue silk flag, ornamented
in the centre with the embroidered arms of Japan. On entering, the commissioners
were found already seated on the right, they having withdrawn
previously to the Commodore, and arranged themselves in rank upon one of
the red divans, which extended along the sides of the apartment.
The Commodore and his party took their seats on the left, and business
commenced, the commissioners having preliminarily stated that it was a
Japanese custom to speak slowly. They were evidently very anxious to
proceed with deliberation, and weigh every word with the exactness of cautious
diplomatists.
The chief commissioner now handed the Commodore a roll of paper, which
proved to be an answer to the President’s letter, delivered on the previous
visit at Grori-hama in July.
NAMOURA 3d IN T E R P R E T E R , YOKUHAMA.