The Days of a Man 



women 



improved practically never attended formal luncheons and din- 

 ners. One of the ladies present at Count Okuma's 

 said that they were now having a far better time than 

 before, when they had to pass many lonesome days 

 and evenings with nothing particular to do. In 1911 

 also I noticed that many more women were seen on 

 the trains. In the cities social customs were rapidly 

 approaching those of Europe, though old Japan still 

 lingered in the country, where a samurai with braided 

 queue cut short and turned forward on the top of 

 his head could still be occasionally encountered. 



Following the Okuma luncheon, I was granted 

 audiences with the Emperor and the Empress, the 

 latter of whom also received Mrs. Jordan. This 

 interesting experience, arranged by our Japanese 

 friends, we regarded as simply a matter of inter- 

 national courtesy. The presentations were made by 

 Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery Schuyler, Jr., from the 

 American Embassy. Concerning our conduct in the 

 imperial presences, we were given the usual instruc- 

 tions to leave the initiative wholly to their Majesties, 

 respond to what they said, and not turn our backs 

 upon them. 



The Mutsuhito was a plain, direct, sagacious old gentle- 



Emperor man wno snoo k hands with me cordially, retaining his 

 gloves, however. Through an interpreter he explained 

 that his position did not permit him to discuss 

 national affairs with foreigners, for which reason he 

 could not speak of my special mission. He then asked 

 if I had visited the universities, and if I were ac- 

 quainted with the fine scenery at Nikko and else- 



C 372 3 



