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CHAPTER XXVI.
"EXPEL THE BAKBAEIANS."
IN the summer of 1858 the Tycoon in Yedo was
taken ill, and late in August he died. The
prince of Echizen knew that a political crisis was
likely to occur, since the Tycoon was childless, and
an heir must be appointed. The regent, or prime
minister, who had the greatest power was named li
Karnon no Kami. He was an arbitrary man and
inclined to do very much as he pleased, and to give
to his own without tak-
himself up selfish pleasures
ing counsel from the other daimios or ministers of
state. At least this was what his critics said.
The prince of Echizen, leaving Fukui, came quickly
to Yedo, to be present as a relative of the Tokugawa
family, and assist with his advice. With the prince
of Owari, and others, he wished that Ke"iki, the
seventh son of the prince of Mito, should be made
Tycoon. This gentleman was of age, accomplished
and popular ;
but the prime minister paid no attention
whatever to the good advice of the daimios, and
chose an heir who was only twelve years of age, and
who would not have any influence ;
so that the prime
minister, as it seemed, could take all
power to himself.
They now began to call him, " The Swaggering
Prime Minister."
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