This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIV. THE HERMITS INSTRUCTED IN MODERN WORLD LIFE. Monday, January 18, 1858. To-day I rigged out in full dress, in honor of the signatures of the President and Tai-kun, which are to be exhibited to-day. I learn to-day that I am to have only two Commissioners to deal with. This pleases me, as it will prevent much interruption. Although the Commissioners will have full powers, yet in reality I shall be negotiating with the whole Council of State. The Commissioners will hear my arguments, and then request time to consider them. They will repeat what I have said to the Council, who will consider the matter, and then dictate what the Commissioners shall say. I feel just as sure of this as though I had been told it by themselves. The Commissioners are Inouye," Prince of Shinano, and Iwase," Prince of Higo. At one P. M. the Commissioners appeared; they were attended by two secretaries to take down every word that was uttered. We saluted each other standing. I then gave my full powers to Mr. Heusken, who handed it to the Prince of Shinano, who opened it, looked at the President's signature and the seal, and then passed it to his colleague, who also examined it and then returned it to Mr. Heusken, who handed it to me. The full powers of the Japanese Commissioners were then given to the vice-governor of Shimoda, who handed it to me. I opened it and looked at the Imperial seal and signature, and then returned it. Those who have read Commodore Perry's account of his Japanese expedition will remember that the Japanese would not let their full powers go out of their hands, pretending the Imperial seal was so sacred it could not be handled by any but a Japanese, and, of them, only by those to whom it was specially directed. The seal was in...