212 PAST AND PRESENT. 



the ladies took also to the European dress, but happily 

 for themselves the Empress wisely stuck to the pictur- 

 esque native costume, which suits their square short 

 figures exactly, whereas the other utterly disfigures 

 them. 



The Prince of Kii — whose family is one of three 

 from which the Mikado was always chosen — invited 

 the English minister to pay him a visit at his castle, 

 situated near the western shore of his province, and 

 fortunately I was able to take the party. On arriving 

 at the port nearest his capital, we were at once visited 

 by officials, who invited the whole party on shore. 

 Here we found the Prince's sea-side residence prepared 

 and fitted up for our reception. The floors of all the 

 rooms were covered with purple blankets, the passages 

 with scarlet. Beds, washing-stands, chairs, tables, and 

 even tooth-brushes were provided. Deer, sheep, and 

 cattle were hanging up in a spacious larder. He had 

 sent to Kobe and bought all the champagne in the 

 place. He had also sent to Osaka and procured a 

 noted cook, a Frenchman, from one of the hotels. 

 Eefreshment of every description was provided, — the 

 servants numerous and attentive. A company of lancers 

 was stationed in the establishment, as a combination of 

 guard and compliment. The gardens round this charm- 



