190 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



to it, but marclied straight on to the palace gate. It was obvious that the regent had anticipated 

 that his stratagem would prove successful, for the gate of the palace was closed. A messenger, 

 however, was dispatched, at full speed, to cause it to be opened, and make preparations for the 

 Commodore's reception. On arriving at the entrance, the artillery and marines were drawn up 

 in line, and the Commodore and his suite walked past them into the castle or palace; the troops 

 presented arms, the ensigns were lowered, and the band plaj-ed "Hail Columbia." 



On entering the first gateway, a second wall and portal were seen above, (for the edifice stood 

 on a cliff or elevation of rock, which formed, indeed, part of its foundation,) and this second 

 gateway formed the entrance to the outer court of the palace, which crowned the height. This 

 court was surrounded by houses, which seemed to be designed for servants and others belonging 

 to the royal household. On the eastern side, however, was another gateway, resembling the 

 Chinese portals of honor. This consisted of hco arches, and the Commodore was conducted, as 

 a mark of honor and respect due to his rank, through that on the right hand, into what 

 appeared to be the central court of the palace. It was about eighty feet square, with very plain 

 wooden buildings, of one story only, on its sides, and was paved with gravel and large tiles, 

 arranged in alternate lozenges. The hall of reception was on the north side. All the other 

 buildino's, on the other sides, were protected by screens from the view of those in the court. 



The Commodore was conducted into the hall of audience, and placed in a chair at the head 

 of the room, on the right hand side; the officers followed, and were ranged in chairs on a single 

 line, next to the Commodore, according to rank. These chairs were of some dark wood, 

 lacquered, and were like our camp stools. There was also a double line of members of the 

 Commodore's retinue across the bottom of the room. On the left side of the apartment sat the 

 reo-ent, with his three principal councillors, and a double rank of attendants stood behind them. 

 The interpreters stood at the head of the room, near the Commodore, but between him and the 

 reo-ent All having been thus accommodated, time was afforded for looking around. On the 

 wall was a large red tablet, inscribed with Chinese characters, which signify, in English, "The 

 elevated inclosure of fragrant festivities;" an inscription, by the way, which seems more appro- 

 priate to a place of feasting than to a hall of diplomacy or state receptions, where there is 

 ordinarily little fragrance and less festivity. 



The queen dowager, who had been so pathetically represented as being sick, did not, of 

 course, make her appearance; nor did the boy prince, for whom the regent governed. After 

 mutual salutations, tables were brought, and cups of very weak tea were presented to the 

 guests. Smoking boxes were also distributed around the room, and twists of very tough ginger- 

 bread were placed on the table. In short, it was obvious that the visit at the palace was 

 unexpected ; it had been supposed, probably, that the stratagem of the regent to prevent it, by 

 taking the Commodore to his own house, would succeed ; and, consequently, no preparations 

 had been made for the reception of the company at the palace. Presently the Commodore invited 

 the regent and his three colleagues to visit him on board the Susquehanna. He stated that he 

 intended leaving Napha in a day or two, but that, after ten days, he should return again, and 

 would receive them at any time they might choose to appoint, either before his departure or after 

 his return. They replied that they would leave the time of the visit to be named by the 

 Commodore, and he stated that he would prefer it should be made after his return. To this they 

 assented with seeming satisfaction. The next step in the ceremonies consisted in the regent's 

 taking several large red cards, similar to those used on state occasions in China, when he 



