Weather fine, journey agreeable, the only _contretemps_ being the springs of our vehicle breaking down and causing us twice to alight for repairs; but the Japanese roads, however good they may have been, are not quite prepared for the wheel traffic now existing between Yedo and Yokohama. We were preceded the whole way by a mounted escort of Japs, while innumerable small guards turned out and presented arms after their own demi-French instruction. At the Palace the Duke was received by a Prince, and the party appointed by the Japanese Government to attend His Royal Highness. No place could have been better adapted. Suites of apartments completely furnished in European style, while the walls were covered with curiously painted Japanese paper. A guard of twenty-five marines had arrived before us. Our Royal Marine guard was confronted by a similar number of Japs, who formerly belonged to the Tycoon, and had been well drilled by the French. In the Prince’s sitting-room was a magnificent bronze vase covered with beautifully executed birds, dragons, etc., one of the presents from the Mikado. After luncheon Minwaji-no-Mia, a Prince of the Royal blood, paid a visit. Not much to be done in the afternoon. The Legation retired to their respective houses. We strolled through the pretty, well-kept grounds, made to look as little formal and like nature as possible. The Prince is showing me every kindness and consideration, selecting a room next that occupied by himself, consulting me as to costume for dinner. And on my suggesting round jackets as the coolest, he appeared in one, with gold lace trousers, which appeared to be the mess dress of _Galatea_. Dinner quiet, and good coffee, the best I have tasted. The Prince chatted with me long after dinner, and seemed really anxious for advice as to his future movements, hoping I would give him concise orders while within the limits of the station, so I sent a despatch for Risk and Dawson that we might arrange the same. I waited an opportunity to ask His Royal Highness about his narrow escape at Sydney; he kindly showed me the wound at the right of the spine--a hole into which I could thrust the end of my little finger. Among the things sent yesterday were ten magnificent volumes of about 14 ins. square by 4 ins. deep, containing coloured pictures--in fact, a complete history of Japan, a thing I believe no money could purchase. In front of the Prince’s window were large China bowls containing beautiful broad-tailed specimens of goldfish. Other China bowls, ranged on stands, contained hundreds of flowers, dwarfed trees, etc., all of which His Royal Highness was to consider his own. [Sidenote: Palace of the Mikado, Japan, Sept. 3.]