. William H. Seward's travels around the world. is ornament was fast-ened under the chin and behind the head, by heavy purple silkencords with tassels large enough for modest window-curtains. Hisdress was double—an under-tunic and trousers of dark silk reps ;the upper garments, of the same cut, though more full and flowing,were of gold and white brocade. He wore spotless white shoesand stockings—the shoe and stocking of each foot being of onepiece; at his side a single sword, highly wrought, with hilt andscabbard of ivory and gold. Some show of awkwardness gave usan impression that he found hi
. William H. Seward's travels around the world. is ornament was fast-ened under the chin and behind the head, by heavy purple silkencords with tassels large enough for modest window-curtains. Hisdress was double—an under-tunic and trousers of dark silk reps ;the upper garments, of the same cut, though more full and flowing,were of gold and white brocade. He wore spotless white shoesand stockings—the shoe and stocking of each foot being of onepiece; at his side a single sword, highly wrought, with hilt andscabbard of ivory and gold. Some show of awkwardness gave usan impression that he found his magnificent toilet, on this occasion,inconvenient and uncomfortable. Looking at Mr. Seward, Sawa,in a very low voice, pronounced, in the Japanese language, what THE JAPANESE INTERPRETER. 5T sounded like not one speech, but a succession of distinct sen-tences. The interpreter Ishtabashi, kneeling at his side, at theclose of each sentence signified his understanding of it by theaspirate Hi! hi! hi! Sawa having finished, Ishtabashi gathered. JAPANESE INTERPRETER, IN COURT DRESS. up the sense of these fragmentary speeches, and rendered the wholeinto English, as follows : Mr. Seward, all the ministers of Japan proposed to receiveyou on your arrival at Yeddo, at such a time as you would this is a holiday in our country. It is our custom that at thishour, on every holiday, all the ministers repair to the castle,and pay their homages to his Majesty the Tenno. The otherministers have gone there for that purpose. I have obtained from. 58 JAPAN, CHINA, AND COCHIN CHINA. his Majesty the indulgence to remain here, and receive you inbehalf of my associates. Mr. Seward thanked the minister, and expressed regret that hehad unwittingly chosen so unsuitable a day for his visit. Sawa resumed : I have heard of you much, and I know youby character. I see your face now for the first time, and I amhappy to see it. Mr. Seward answered, that it afforded him great pleasure to seeJapan,
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Keywords: ., bookcentury180, bookdecade1870, booksubjectvoyagesaroundtheworld
