192 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



When the Commodore supposed the solids were about to appear, he rose and proposed as a toast 

 the health of the queen mother and the young viceroy, adding, "Prosperity to the Lew 

 Chewans, and may they and the Americans always be friends." This, having been translated 

 to the regent, appeared greatly to gratify him, and was drunk standing, with Lew Chew honors, 

 which consist of draining the small cup of sakee, holding a teasjDoon full, at one gulp, and 

 turning the vessel bottom upward. The Commodore afterward proposed the health of the regent 

 and his associates, which the latter returned by proposing the health of the Commodore and the 

 ofiScers of the squadron. By this time the embarrassment and anxious looks of the Japanese 

 officials had entirely vanished ; from what cavise they had proceeded our officers could not learn, 

 but most probably from the consciousness that the}' were under espionage, and that all they said 

 or did would be reported to those above them. The entertainment, however, proceeded and 

 terminated with the best possible feeling on both sides. 



The interpreter of the regent was a young native, named Ichirazichi, who had been educated 

 at Pekin, where he remained three years. He could speak a little English, but the Chinese was 

 the language of communication. This youth had some knowledge both of the LTnited States 

 history and geography. He was not unacquainted with the character and conduct of Wash- 

 ington, and called him " a very great mandarin." Where is it that the honored name of the 

 Father of our country, this man for all time, this man, whose peerless pi:rity is the proud 

 heritao'e of a common humanity the world over, has not reached? It is heard in the Arab tent, 

 and in the Chinese village, under the shades of Lew Chew, and in the cities of Japan, in 

 southern Asia, and on the shores of the Arctic ; all western Christendom knows it, all honors it. 



At leno-th the feast was over, and the American guests took their departure, the procession 

 formino" ia the same order as before. The subordinate Japanese officials escorted it to the gate, 

 and the old Pe-ching again took his station in advance. On starting down the hill, four little 

 ponies, which had gone up without finding riders, were now led by the grooms to the rear of 

 the procession, and some of the younger officers determined to try their mettle in a ride down. 

 They were very small animals, of bay color, but exceedingly spirited; and, kicking and 

 pluno'ing with untiring vivacity, and somewhat of temper, treated, at first, with sublime 

 contempt all efibrts to reduce them to a gravity befitting the occasion, and indignantly resisted 

 every attempt to induce them, with the rational sobriety of discreet brutes, to take their places 

 in the rear, and march understandingly, as became them. Like ill-bred ponies, as they were, 

 they kicked up their heels, and endeavored to do much as they jiileased. This, however, merely 

 afforded more fun to the officers than if the wiry little creatures had behaved themselves 

 discreetly as part of the American procession. 



The descent of the hill was rather warm, as it was not far from noon, and the sun shone full 

 in the faces of the procession; but, on reaching the wooded slopes, it was met by the grateful 

 sea-breeze, and the boats were seen quietly resting on the waters of the bay, while their crews 

 were scattered in groups under the trees, watching the coming on of the procession, and waiting 

 to know whether due honor had been shown to the United States in the person of their "Old 

 Commodore." Each boat had the American colors flying, and Jack was made happy by the 

 assurance that all possible respect had been paid to his flag. By half-past two, the whole 

 procession was again on board the ships, without any accident or untoward incident having 

 occurred to mar either the pleasure or success of the trip ; and thus ended the grand official 

 visit to the palace. It was a judicious determination on the part of the Commodore to make it; 



