about to visit the United States on private business, he joined the Embassy; and, as he was accompanied by his wife, she took charge of the Japanese girls during their

from Yeddo to Washington; and treated them

and attention, and received their

ving home they were sum

-good-will of the

bycoon, out now holas allegiance to the

ruling power, and has a public position; Tsuda is one of

about to visit the United States on private business, he joined the Embassy; and, as he was accompanied by his wife, she took charge of the Japanese girls during their long journey from Yeddo to Washington; and treated them with great kindness and attention, and received their gratitude in return. Before leaving home they were summoned to Yeddo, and in testimony of the good-will of the Mikado, and according to an ancient custom, they were each presented, by the attendants of the Court, with beautiful specimens of crimson crape, and an order was issued that their expenses while in America should be paid by the Government.

The names of this delegation of Japanese girls are as follows: Lio Yoshimas, aged 15; Tei Wooyeda, aged about 15; Stematz Yamagawa, aged 12; Shinge Nagai, aged 10, and Ume Tsuda, aged 8 years. They represent in their persons five distinct families, and while they are not immediately connected with the imperial family of Japan, they do belong to that particular class, which would, in this country, be called the aristocracy of intellect and wealth combined. How these particular girls happened to be selected is not important; and, although their fathers or friends were abundantly able to send them abroad, they have in reality come to this country as the wards of the Japanese Government. Their fathers are all connected with the present Government, and rank as follows: Yoshimas, retainer of a prince of Tokzyawa; Wooyeda, Second Secretary of the Department of State; Yamagawa, First Chamberlain to the Prince of Adzu; Nagai was formerly a retainer of the Tycoon, but now holds allegiance to the ruling power, and has a public position; Tsuda is one of

4

the Secretaries of Agriculture, as well as a Geologist and Civil Engineer. They were consigned to the care of the Japanese Minister, Mr. Mori, in Washington; and, in view of very numerous applications that were made by educational institutions throughout the country, to take them in charge, and while debating what was best to do with the girls, Mr. Mori resolved to keep them for a few months under his immediate protection, and obtained comfortable and cheerful homes for them in Georgetown, under the general supervision of the Editor of this volume.

With regard to the kind of education which the Government of Japan would have bestowed upon these girls, that is a question which will probably be decided by Mr. Mori, and his personal views have been freely expressed in Washington society. He would, in the first place, have them made fully acquainted with the blessings of home life in the United States; and, in the second place, he would have their minds fully stored with all those kinds of information which will make them true ladies.

The glitter and folly of fashionable life may do for those who have no love or respect for what is called true culture; but that is not the arena in which he would place the bright-eyed daughters of his native land. That the Tenno of Japan is in hearty sympathy with the educational movement now under consideration is proven by one of his recent declarations, in which, to the astonishment of the world, he has uttered the following sentiment:

"My country is now undergoing a complete change from old to new ideas, which I sincerely desire, and therefore call upon all the wise and strong-minded to appear, and become good guides to the Government. During

youth time, it is positively necessary to view foreign countries, so as to become enlightened as to the ideas of the world; and boys as well as girls, who will themselves soon become men and women, should be allowed to go abroad, and my country will benefit by the knowledge thus acquired. Females heretofore have had no position socially, because it was considered they were without understanding; but if educated and intelligent, they should have due respect."

We are pleased to know that since their arrival in the District, they have appeared very happy, and have expressed themselves well pleased with the temporary arrangement which Mr. Mori has made for them. They are all eager to learn the English language, and they have already become acquainted with many common words and their uses. The most interesting feature among them is probably the fact that the youngest was sent by her mother, who voluntarily makes the sacrifice of her own happiness for the benefit of her child. Her father is a good English scholar, and has already taught the little one many words; and among her valuables, carefully packed away by them for her, is an illustrated cyclopædia, in two large Japanese volumes, in which is written, "My dear daughter Ume, from father; Yeddo, Dec. 19, 1871,” and a good supply of letter-paper, pencils, and India-ink, which she seems to appreciate. She is very bright, and quickly learns what she is taught. They have all been more pleased with a selection of American primers than anything they have been shown. Their time seems to be most cheerfully and satisfactorily. employed, which is devoted to the spelling of words, expressing the common articles in daily use on the table and