portion of the squadron." No further conversation took place. The letters having been formally delivered and received, the Commodore took his leave, while the two Princes, who had fulfilled to the letter their instructions not to speak, rose and remained standing until he had retired from their presence.

The return to the boats was made in the same order, the bands playing "Hail Columbia" and "Yankee Doodle," with more spirit than ever before, and few of those present, I venture to say, ever heard our national airs with more pride and pleasure. Yezaimon, Saboroske, and the two Interpreters attended the Commodore to the boat, and as the embarkation of the different boats' crews occupied some time, on account of the smallness of the jetty, several of the Japanese soldiers profited by the delay to come down and examine us more closely. Many of our men strayed along the beach, picking up shells and pebbles as mementoes of the visit. In less than twenty minutes, however, all were embarked, and we returned to the ships, accompanied by the two Japanese boats which had piloted us to the shore. Before twelve o'clock the anchors were lifted, and both vessels were under way on a cruise up the bay.

The Japanese Officers on Board-Their Manners-Their Dislike to the Chinese-Their Swords-Their Curiosity-Passing up the Bay-Beauty of the Scenery -"Perry's Bay "Junks bound for Yedo-Another Visit-Further Surveys-The NativesAn Excursion towards Yedo-Extent and Capacity of the Upper Bay-Change of Anchorage-The Surveys Proceed-Interchange of Presents-A Dilemma-Final Satisfaction-Farewell of the Japanese Officials-Commodore Perry's Diplomacy-Departure from Japan-A Multitude of Boats-Oosima-The Islands off the BayDiscoveries Formation of the Group-We Sail for Ohosima-A Typhoon-Return to Loo-Choo-The Second Visit to Japan.

YEZAIMON, Saboroske, and the Interpreters accepted an invi tation to remain on board until we reached Urága, and have their boats towed at our stern. This gave them a chance of seeing the steam engine in operation, for which they had expressed a great desire. They were conducted over the ship and saw the engine from all points of view, betraying a great deal of curiosity in regard to its operation, but no fear. They even obtained a glimmering idea of the manner in which the steam acted, to set the enormous mass in motion. Tatsonoske asked if it was not the same machine in a smaller com.

pass which we used on railroads. During their inspection of the ship they saw many things which must have been new and strange to them, but their composure and self-possession were not in the least disturbed. Notwithstanding the decks were crowded with officers and men, whose curiosity to see them was very great, they were to all appearance unconscious of it, and conducted themselves with as much ease and propriety as I ever saw among the most refined people. The complexion of these officers was a dark olive, but not too dark to allow a ruddy tinge on the lips and cheeks. Their eyes were somewhat larger, and not so obliquely set as those of the Chinese, their foreheads broader and more open, with a greater facial angle, and the expression of their faces denoted a lively and active mind. Notwithstanding that spirit of cunning and secrecy which, through the continual teachings of their government has become almost a second nature to them, their faces were agreeable and expressive. Their motions and gestures were characterized by an unstudied grace, and it was the unanimous opinion of all our officers that they were as perfect gentlemen as could be found in any part of the world. A curious illustration of their dislike to the Chinese, who are greatly inferior to them in propriety, and elegance of manner, occurred while they were on board. One of their Interpreters, noticing some of the Chinese deck-hands, who had been shipped at Shanghai, asked with a face expressive of great contempt and disgust: "Is it possible that you have Chinese among your men?"; Mr. Portman with much readiness, but not entire candor, replied: "These men are the servants of our sailors," and thereby reinstated us in the good opinion of the Japanese.

While going their rounds their swords were left in the

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cabin, and most of the officers made use of the opportunity to examine them. The steel was of admirable quality, and kept in good condition, although the shape of the blade was rather unwieldy, and the handle was without a guard. The scabbards were made of shark-skin very handsomely polished. While in the cabin, a globe was brought, and the position of the United States shown to the Japanese. Tatsonoske immediately pointed out Washington and New York, and seemed tolerably familiar with the geography of our country, as well as that of Europe. He asked whether in America many of the roads were not cut through the mountains-evidently referring to railroads. Yezaimon expressed his desire to examine a revolver, several of which the Japanese had noticed in the officers' belts. Commander Buchanan therefore fired off all the chambers of a genuine "Colt," from the quarter-deck, to his great astonishment. Before we had half gratified their curiosity (which the steam-whistle raised to the highest pitch,) we were off Urága, and they were obliged to leave.

As we moved out past the promontory of Urága, the western shore opened on the left, showing a broad deep bay, embosomed by hills covered with the greenest and most luxuriant foliage, and with several large villages at their base. We approached within three miles of the eastern shore, which is loftier and wilder than the western, rising into a range of rugged mountains, which showed no signs of habitation or cultivation. But the lower slopes, which undulated gently to the water, charmed me by the rich beauty of their scattered groves, and the green terraces and lawns into which centuries of patient cultivation has formed them. Outside of England there is nothing so green, so garden-like, so full of tranquil beauty. To the north,

the hills gradually sank away, and a sandy spur three or four miles in length, stretched into the bay. This proved to be the ground whereon we had seen the parade of Japanese soldiers, when the surveying boats ascended the bay. The two mounds which I had noticed through a glass, were surmounted with batteries of about five guns each.

Changing our course we made over toward the other side, steering for a bold projecting headland, about twelve miles beyond that of Urága. In the intervening bight, to which Lieut. Bent, as the first surveyor, gave the name of "Perry's Bay," there are two lovely, green islands. The shores of the bay are as thickly settled and as assiduously cultivated, as about and below Urága. During the voyage up, we had at no time less than seven fathoms, and generally from thirty to forty. After going a short distance, beyond the point reached by the Mississippi, and upwards of ten miles beyond our former anchorage, we dropped anchor a mile and half from the shore, in thirteen fathoms. The inward-bound junks, I noticed, made for a point a little east of north from our position. According to the Japanese charts, and the best descriptions of Yedo, this must have been the direction of the capital. A long, low headland was visible with the glass, with (apparently) another bight beyond it; but to the north-east, for a segment of about 30°, no land could be seen. This also corresponded to the form of the bay, as given in Japanese charts.

Toward evening we had another visit from Yezaimon, who had followed us from Urága, with the intention of finding out what our motives were in proceeding so far up the bay. Whatever objections he may have made, they did not appear to be effectual, for as long as we remained, the survey was prosecuted