ph wire was also set up and
operated, this interesting the Japanese more than anything else. They
had the art, however, of concealing their feelings, and took care to
show no wonder at anything displayed.

In the letter of reply from the shogun it was conceded that the demands
in relation to shipwrecked sailors, coal, provisions, water, etc., were
just, and there was shown a willingness to add a new harbor to that of
Nagasaki, but five years' delay in its opening were asked. To this the
commodore would not accede, nor would he consent to be bound by the
restrictions placed on the Dutch and Chinese. He demanded three harbors,
one each in Hondo, Yezo, and the Loochoo Islands, but finally agreed to
accept two, the port of Simoda in Hondo and that of Hakodate in Yezo. An
agreement being at length reached, three copies of the treaty were
exchanged, and this was followed by an entertainment on the fleet to the
Japanese officials, in which they did full justice to American fare, and
seemed to be particularly fond of champagne. One of them became so merry
and familiar under the influence of this beverage that he vigorously
embraced the commodore, who bore the infliction with good-humored
patience.

At the new treaty ports the restrictions which had been thrown around
the Dutch at Nagasaki were removed, citizens of the United States being
free to go where they pleased within a limit of several miles around the
towns.

The success of the Americans in this negotiation stimulated the other
maritime nations, and in the same year a British fleet visited Nagasaki
and obtained commercial concessions. In 1858 the treaties were extended,
the port of Yokohama replacing that of Simoda, and the treaty ports
being opened to American, British, French, and Dutch traders.
Subsequently the same privileges were granted to the other commercial
nations, the country was made free to travellers, and the long-continued
isolation of Japan was completely broken down. A brief experience of the
advantages of commerce and foreign intercourse convinced the
quick-witted islanders of the folly of their ancient isolation, and they
threw open their country without restriction to all the good the world
had to offer and to the fullest inflow of modern ideas.

[Illustration: CHUSENJI ROAD AND DAIYA RIVER.]

_THE MIKADO COMES TO HIS OWN AGAIN._

The visit of Commodore Perry to Japan and the signing of a treaty of
commerce with the United States forme