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THE WEDDING OF A PRINCESS. 299
shape. A maguro-fish, thinly sliced, but perfectly
raw, was one of the features of the feast. Sweetmeats,
candies of the sort known to the Japanese confectioners,
and castira (castile) cake, loquats, oranges,
and many sorts of fruit crowned the courses.
As usual the near friends, Professor Koba, Mr.
Rai, Doctor Sano, and Honda Jiro, all of whom were
present at the wedding, got off by themselves before
the end of the evening and had a pleasant chat.
Mr. Rai mentioned that Mr. Townsend Harris, the
American consul-general, who had been living quietly
at Shimoda, was pressing his demand to be
allowed to come to Yedo and deliver the President's
letter.
"No amount of threats, cunning, offers
of reward
or accommodation have been able to move him," said
Mr. Rai. "
He claims that it would be an insult to
the President to deliver the letter anywhere but at
Yedo, the seat of the government, or by any other
method than in person."
" Well," said Professor Koba, " in spite of all
arguments and precedents against a foreigner's entering
Yedo, the bakufu must give way, and Mr. Harris
will get into the camp city. Once there, he will
wonder why the Sho-gun calls himself the Tycoon,
and has no power in foreign affairs without consulting
the Mikado and Imperial Court."
" Then he will want to go to the very capital
itself," said Mr. Rai.
" Yes, that he will ;
and the throne and camp will
be at odds. The bakufu must choose its ablest man
for this time of national danger."