HIGH B U E E D IN G OP THE JAPANESE GENTLEMEN. 249 



their purpose, more suited for show than servicj. The blades, liowever, were apparently of 

 good steel and temper, and highly polished, although their shape as well as that of their hilts, 

 ■without a guard, was awkwardly constructed for use. The mountings were of pure gold, and 

 the scabbards of shark's skin, remarkably well manufactured. The visit of the governor was 

 prolonged into the evening, and it was seven o'clock before he took his departure, when he aiul 

 his interpreters left the ship with their usual graceful courtesies, bowing at ever\' step, and 

 smiling in au amiable yet dignified manner. They M'ere evidently favorably impressed with 

 their reception and all they had seen. The studied politeness which marked their intercourse 

 with our officers was evidently not assumed for the occasion, for it is so habitual with them 

 that in their ordinary relations with each other they preserve the same stately courtesy ; and it 

 was observed^ that no sooner had Yezaiman and his interpreters entered their boat alongside the 

 Susquehanna, that they commenced saluting each other as formally as if they had met for the 

 first time and were jiassing through the ceremonials of a personal introduction. While these 

 scenes were in transaction on boai"d, the boats of the squadron sent out by the Cjmmodore were 

 kept busy all day sounding and observing as on previous occasions. 



The next day was Wednesday, (July 13th,) and the visit of the governor was naturally 

 expected at an early hour, in fulfilment of his promise. There was, however, no indication 

 through the morning of his coming, and every thing remained in a state of tranquil expectation. 

 There seemed to be some little movement on the part of the authorities, as far as could be 

 gathered from an observation of the neighboring laud. From the opposite shores numerous 

 vessels, loaded with soldiers, crossed to the Uraga side, and a large junk with the usual 

 government flag and insignia put into the harbor. The brisk trade of the bay was carried on 

 as usual^ and Japanese boats, both large and small, were moving up and down in constant 

 circulation. The various towns and villages grouped about the bay were thus interchanging 

 their elements of life and, stimulated into commercial activity by the throb from the busy heart 

 of the great city, poured into Yedo their overflowing abundance. There were no less than sixty- 

 seven junks counted as passing up the bay during the single day. 



The weather continued warm, with the thermometer indicating as high a point as 87°, but 

 the heat was tempered by an agreeable sea breeze. The view of the shores was much obscured 

 at times by the haze which is said to be so prevalent on the Japanese coast : but in the 

 experience of the squadron the weather hitherto had been remarkably clear, and this day was 

 the foggiest that had been seen since the ships arrived in the bay. Nothing could be seen of 

 the great land-mark — the lofty peak of Fusi — which, by the way, was generally more plainly 

 visible toward the evening than during the day, and was often observed beautifully distinct at 

 sunset, when its summits would glow with a rich halo of crimson light. 



The expected visit of the governor occurred at last, at about four o'clock in the afternoon. 

 His highness Kayama Yezaiman, accompanied, as usual, by his first and second interpreters, 

 presented himself, with a thousand apologies for not having come earlier, as the high officer 

 from Yedo had but just arrived. The apologies having been made, the governor exhibited the 

 original order of the Emperor, addressed to the functionary who had been appointed to receive 

 the Commodore. The Emperor's letter was short, and was certified by a large seal attached to 

 it. This imperial epistle, which was wrapped in velvet, and enclosed in a box luade of 

 sandal-wood, was treated by the governor with such reverence that he would allow no one to 

 touch it. A copy of it in Dutch, and a certificate verifying the authenticity of the document. 



