Page:"Round the world." - Letters from Japan, China, India, and Egypt (IA roundworldletter00fogg 0).pdf/71

This page has been validated.

49

of about twenty-one, said to be of no great mental ability, but is in the hands of his ministers, the ruling spirit among whom is Satsuma, the most restless and ambitious of all the great Southern Daimaos. The Mikado now resides part of the time at Yeddo, and his government has shown great leniency toward the defeated and dethroned Tycoon and his adherents. Sir Harry and British influence is now all powerful in Japan, and controls the foreign policy of the government. The country appears to be tranquil. Foreigners can travel freely anywhere within the treaty limits, which extend from ten to fifteen miles around Yokohama, and by obtaining a pass from the government can visit Yeddo or any other place of interest. A large tract of land on the heights near the city has been granted to the British, where they have built a marine hospital and have a camp of one thousand men. A most beautiful site and spacious grounds have been assigned to the British Legation, and we Americans, who are entitled to the credit of having first opened Japan to the world, must take a back seat and suck our thumbs until another revolution brings us to the front.

W. P. F.