264 DUBOIS— JAPANESE EMBASSY OF i860. [April 21, 



inordinate greed, and the inordinate folly of those with whom they have come 

 chiefly in contact, and if they believe that in these they see reflected the 

 character of the whole people, then heaven help our reputation in Japan 

 when these sons of hers go home. But let us hope they did not understand. 

 In the simplicity of their natures and manners let us trust that they have 

 gone back to their own country impressed not only with our material superi- 

 rity but believing also that in all Christian graces, in the amenities of social 

 life, in the refinements of personal good breeding we are unmeasurably 

 their masters. ... Of almost all that an intelligent traveller would like 

 to be informed they have gone away as ignorant as they came. . . . Against 

 the acquirement of all useful knowledge except in a few rare instances which 

 make the rule more apparent, they have been sedulously guarded and the 

 opportunity lost which will never recur again of impressing a people eager 

 in the attainment of the arts of peace, with the true source of the wealth 

 and power of Christian civilization. 



Another New York paper thus commented : 



They are small of stature, tawny of complexion, sleepy and feeble in 

 their physical appearance and habits, and with only those characteristics 

 calculated to excite a momentary curiosity. 



The Philadelphia view^ was different. The Inquirer said: 



They saw the triumphs of science and art made subservient to the 

 comfort and happiness not to special classes merely, but to all. They can- 

 not separate these things from the effects of our political institutions and 

 it will be extraordinary indeed if they disconnect them from the benign 

 influence of Christianity. 



This is the true note — the note which this paper has essayed to 

 demonstrate as proved by time. Mr. Greeley in the case of the 

 Japanese, as in that of monster ships like the Great Eastern, was a 

 bad prophet. He argued that the embassy avowed before arrival 

 that it had no ministerial powers except those of signing the treaty 

 and collecting information concerning our currency with a view to 

 better ultimate international adjustment. 



But Mr. Greeley saw nothing in this. He referred to the confer- 

 ences at the mint but was unable to figure out anything feasible. 

 The relations which gold bore to silver in Japan and their artificial 

 value in coinage forbade any basis of equitable exchange. Indeed, 

 he believed, if through their labors at the mint, the Japanese were 

 to adopt the new standards for estimating the values of the precious 

 metals, " it is easy to see that the monetary affairs of the empire 

 might be thrown into great confusion." 



