Page:"Round the world." - Letters from Japan, China, India, and Egypt (IA roundworldletter00fogg 0).pdf/82



Some philosopher has said that “one “might as well be born lucky as rich.” When I came to Japan, a private traveler, I had no expectation of being able to approach within gun-shot of any of the “blood royal;” but my lucky star is in the ascendant and to-day I have had the satisfaction, in behalf of the, of “interviewing” the uncle of the Micado, one of the royal family, and the Minister of Marine and War. It happened in this wise: When I returned at one o’clock from my morning walk in Curio-town, I found the hall of the hotel filled with Japanese officers of high rank, in various uniforms, military and naval, but all wearing the two swords, and the coat-of-arms of the Makado.

Upon enquiry as to what was up, I was told that his “High Mightiness, uncle of Emperor,” etc., etc., had arrived, and was taking breakfast in the grand parlor on the ground floor. The landlord was in a flurry, the waiters were running to and fro, and the house was the scene of as much excitement as if the Queen of England herself was the guest.

Glancing at the door of the room which was guarded by a crowd of officers, I determined some way or other to interview this high personage. I quietly took my lunch while I studied the plan of the campaign. Then I went up to my room, put on my best toggery, which was not very dashingneither sword, gilt buttons nor shoulder-strapsand descending, card in had, I “Ohaio'd” a young officer, and requested him