380 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



being now concluded to the mutual satisfaction of both parties, the Japanese commissioners 

 invited the Commodore and his officers to partake of an eutertaiunient which had been particu- 

 larly prepared for the occasion. 



The tables were now spread in the large reception hall. These were nothing more than wide 

 divans, such as were used for seats, and of the same height. They were covered with a red- 

 colored crape, and arranged in order, according to the rank of the guests and their hosts, an 

 upper table, raised somewhat above the rest, being appropriated to the Commodore, his superior 

 officers, and the commissioners. When all were seated, the servitors brought in a rapid 

 succession of courses, consisting chiefly of thick soups, or rather stews, in most of which fresh 

 fish was a component part. These were served in small earthen bowls or cups, and were 

 brought in upon lacquered stands, about fourteen inches square and ten high, and placed, one 

 before each guest, upon the tables. Together with each dish was a supply of soj. or some other 

 condiment, while throughout there was an abundant quantity, served in peculiar vessels, of the 

 Japanese national liquor, the saki, a sort of whiskey distilled from rice. Various sweetened 

 confections, and a multiplicity of cakes, were liberally interspersed among the other articles on 

 the tables. Toward the close of the feast, a plate containing a broiled cray fish, a piece of fried 

 fish of some kind, two or three boiled shrimps, and a small square pudding with something of 

 the consistence of blanc mange, was placed before each, with a hint that they were to follow the 

 guests on their return to the ships, and they were accordingly sent and duly received afterward. 

 The feast of the commissioners did not make a strikingly favorable impression on their guests ; 

 but they were greatly pleased with the courtesy of their hosts^ whose urbanity and assiduous 

 attentions left nothing to desire on the score of politeness. They left, however, it must be con- 

 fessed, with appetites but scantilj' gratified by the imusual fare that had been spread before 

 them. It is true that apologies were made, and this, by the way, proved to be an habitual 

 feature of their entertainments, and causes were assigned for the poorness of the repast on the 

 score of the difficulty of obtaining the best articles of food at Kanagawa. The dinner given to 

 the commissioners on board tlie Powhatan would have made, in quantity, at least a score of 

 such as that ofiered by the Japanese on this occasion. To dispose of the subject in one word, 

 the entertainments of the Japanese, generally, while full of hospitality, left but an unfavorable 

 impression of their skill in cookery. The Lew Chewans evidently excelled them in good 

 living. 



After the feast^ which passed pleasantly and convivially, mutual compliments being freely 

 exchanged, and healths drunk in full, though Lilliputian, cups of saki, the commissioners 

 expressed great anxiety about the proposed visit of the Commodore to Yedo. They earnestly 

 urged him not to take his ships any higher up the bay, as, they said, it would lead to trouble, 

 by which the poimlace might be disturbed, and their own lives, perhaps, jeoparded. The 

 Commodore argued the matter with them for some considerable time, and, as they still pertina- 

 ciously urged their objections to his visit to the capital, it was agreed that the subject should be 

 further discussed by an interchange of notes. The meeting then broke up. 



Before proceeding further with the narrative, it may be well here briefly to pause and define 

 with precision what had been accomplished by means of the treaty that had been signed. 



When it was determined by our government to send an expedition to Japan, those in authority 

 were not unmindful of the peculiar characteristics of that singular nation. Unlike all other 

 civilized people, it was in a state ©f voluntary, long-continiied, and determined isolation. It 



