Sengakuji. PAGE. (Opp) 114 Samurai. Sleeping .. A Famous "Belle" of Japan. Japanese Lady Playing the "Koto". Typical Japanese Beauty of the Higher 120 130 144 Famous Buddhist Temple "Shinto "-Temple Gates: Aged "Dimaio" and Wife, of Feudal Times, Buddhists.. His Excellency Li Hung Tsee. Pagoda-Tennonji-Osaka.. Winter Scene.. 212 . "Ahrnohs" (or Nurses) Carrying Children, CHAPTER I. APPOINTMENT AS UNITED STATES MINISTER-RE CEIVING INSTRUCTIONS AT WASHINGTON-IN TERVIEW WITH EX-PRESIDENT GRANT. T was in the good year of Our Lord, 1885, that the author was tendered the appointment by the President of the United States and ratified by the Senate, as Representative or, in diplomatic parlance, “Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary," to the Empire of Japan. Early in the month of May of that year, we reported to the President and Department of State for Instructions," which are always given to the Republic's Ministers or Ambassadors before entering upon their accredited missions in foreign lands. Of the special or 66 general character of these instructions it is necessary now to say only, that their full meaning and general scope was, of course, to uphold the honor and interests of our country; and especially, as relating to Japan, to watch and study with earnest vigilance and care her history and progress on the lines of the higher civilization, and her approaches toward the attainment of the capacity to exercise an independent self-government among the nations. Later on, in these sketches, the special applications of these "Instructions" from our government will be noted, when invoked, as they will be, by memorable events in the political evolution and life of Japan, which occurred during our mission from 1885 to 1890, and extending and widening thereafter through the war with China to its triumphant close. CHAPTER II. INTERVIEW WITH EX-PRESIDENT GRANT, RELATING TO JAPAN NEARLY A YEAR BEFORE THE AUTHOR'S APPOINTMENT AS UNITED STATES MINISTER. T was while at the capitol at Washington, more than a year preceding the foregoing date, that the unpartizan suggestion was kindly made to the author, by a few of General Grant's life-long friends, to visit the Ex-President, then, in 1884, residing in the city of New York. The generous motive given for this kind suggestion was that this great American had, some years before that date, made his famous voyage around the world so graphically sketched by John Russell Young, distinguished as an editor and diplomat, and the chosen com pagnon de voyage of the illustrious soldier. We were told by these friends that he tarried longer in Japan, the guest of the Empire than in any other land around the globe. These gentlemen added, what they had heard from his own lips, that his observations and opinions of this people would be of especial interest to any one of his countrymen who might visit those distant shores, whether on pleasure, or on public or private account. We went from the capital to the American metropolis to meet the Ex-President for the first and what proved to be the last time. It was an unheralded meeting. We were received as in "ye olden time," with that genial and undemonstrative hospitality characteristic of that "silent man of destiny." Our brief interview related largely to Japan and the Orient, and we became an earnest listener to his unpretending but deeply absorbing |