390 MATTHEW C. PERRY. 



costly and magnificent attire. Their flowing robes 

 gave them an advantage in appearance over the 

 trim and constrained costume of the strangers. As 

 soon as they entered, the numerous Japanese offi- 

 cials who were in the hall fell upon their knees, and 

 remained in that position as long as the delibera- 

 tions lasted. 



The chief member of the commission was Prince 

 Hayashi-dai-gaku-no-kami. He was a person of 

 about fifty-five years of age, grave in manners, hand- 

 some in person, and exceedingly courteous. An 

 interpreter was present on his knees, who was to act 

 on the occasion. After the commissioners were 

 seated, the Prince addressed a few words to the 

 interpreter. He listened a moment with downcast 

 eyes, and then, by a skilful movement of his knees, 

 moved toward the commodore's interpreter, and 

 having communicated his message, returned to the 

 feet of the Prince. This message proved to be the 

 ordinary compliments appropriate to the occasion. 

 An exchange of polite messages took place for some 

 time afterward, when refreshments were brought in 

 and handed to the company. The commissioners 

 then proposed that they should retire into a smaller 

 room, with which request the commodore unhesita- 

 tingly complied. "When this change had been com- 

 pleted, the chief commissioner opened the delibera- 



