MATTHEW C. PERRY. 401 



were displayed to them ; and they were deeply im- 

 pressed with the superior intelligence and civiliza- 

 tion of the inhabitants of the distant clime who 

 had thus become, for the first time, directly ac- 

 quainted with them. They returned the compli- 

 ment in a few days with presents of their own manu- 

 factures, which included rich silks and brocades, 

 chow-chow boxes, tables, toys, and goblets, con- 

 structed of the famous lacquered ware of Japan, 

 porcelain cups, pipe-cases, umbrellas, and various 

 specimens of the Japanese wardrobe. These pre- 

 sents were first arranged in the Treaty House, and 

 then an invitation was sent to Commodore Perry 

 to inspect and accept them. Two hundred sacks 

 of rice were also included among the gifts ; and 

 when the commodore inquired why so ponderous a 

 bulk had been selected, he received as an answer 

 that it was the custom of the Japanese never to 

 bestow a present without including also a quantity 

 of rice. 



Thus, the stipulations of the written treaty having 

 been confirmed by the exhibition of friendly feeling 

 and generous courtesies on both sides, the commo- 

 dore took his leave of the immediate vicinity of the 

 capital ; and on the 8th of April, 1854, proceeded 

 with his squadron to Simoda and Hakodadi, the two 

 ports which had been selected for the use of the 



2 A 34* 



