524 REVIEWS — AMERICAN EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



civilization which was in advance of that of Europe in the fourteenth 

 century, hut who exhibit little of that dread of innovation which has 

 so singularly arrested the development of the national intellect of 

 China. The American Commodore found he had to deal with a gov- 

 ernment, shrewd, intelligent, firm of purpose, and far-seeing in its 

 policy ; Avhile the acquirements in mathematics, geography, and lan- 

 guages, and the general knowledge of the sciences, were such as 

 would discredit no European Court. It became manifest moreover, 

 in the course of his intercourse with this interesting people, that they 

 too have their conservative and liberal parties in the State : the stick- 

 lers for precedent and routine, who adhere to the " good old ways," 

 and devoutly protest agaiust all innovation ; and the advocates for 

 progress who, in replying to the President's letter, protest against a 

 bigoted adherence to ancient laws as unworthy of the spirit of the 

 age. In effecting satisfactory arrangements with the Japanese 

 Government, accordingly, great tact and skilful diplomacy were found 

 absolutely requisite. " Not an article of the treaty was made but up- 

 on the most serious deliberation by the Japanese probably 



nothing but the exercise of the most perfect truthfulness and pati- 

 ence, would ever have succeeded in making with them a treaty at all." 

 How far the official explanations, processions, and formal state cer- 

 emonial and parade, in which the Commodore deemed it politic to in- 

 dulge, precisely merit so superlative a designation as that of "the 

 most perfect truthfulness,'' may surely admit of question. When, 

 for example, we read of his reply to the inquiries of the Japanese 

 Commissioners relative to the number of his proposed official retinue, 

 that " It is the custom of the United States, when an officer of high 

 rank bears a communication from the President to the Sovereign of 

 another country, for him to go with such an attendance as is respect- 

 ful to the power to which he is sent :" it is difficult to avoid some re- 

 membrance of republican state-official battles with European Court 

 lackeys, on the all important questions of regulation small-clothes, 

 yellow waistcoats, and round hats ! Here is the manner in which 

 the same republican simplicity manifested itself when it was desir- 

 able to produce a "moral influence" on an Asiatic Court : 



" The marines led the way, and the sailors following, the Commodore was du- 

 ly escorted up the beach. The United States flag and the broad pennant were 

 borne by two athletic seamen, who had been selected from the crews of the squad- 

 ron on account of their 6talwart proportions. Two boys, dressed for the cer- 

 emony, preceded the Commodore, bearing in an envelope of scarlet cloth the boxes 

 which contained his credentials and the President's letter. These doeuments, 

 of folio size, were beautifully written, on vellum, and not folded, but bound in 

 .blue silk velvet. Each seal, attached by cords of interwoven gold and silk with 



