We reached the street leading to the palace-grounds about twelve o’clock. This was a wide one of nicely-rolled gravel, and on either side were walls of much height and thickness, showing smooth and expensive masonry. In marching along this approach, we passed under three roofed and detached gateways, built at intervals across it. They had three distinct entrances, the widest being in the centre, over which a red sign, with Japanese characters in gilt, had this announcement: “This is a small island, but observes the rules of propriety; distinguished persons will pass through the centre opening, others will go through those at the sides.” On arriving at the main gate of the palace, a number of the chiefs, in their yellow and red caps, were there to receive us. Leaving the escort outside, the commodore and suite of officers entered, and after passing through successive courts, and up stone steps alternately to the right and left, at a considerable elevation from the street, the party was ushered into the hall of audience. Here were a number of yellow and red-capped chiefs assembled. Chairs and tables for each one of the guests were placed, and pipes, tea, and cakes, with lacquered chop-sticks, served. When the regent—quite an old man, with long, white beard—entered, with his councillors, he advanced and saluted the commodore half way, insisting on rank or equality. The interview was a short one; compliments were interchanged through Dr. Bettelheim and Mr. S. W. Williams of Canton, when the regent was invited aboard of the Susquehanna, when she should return to Napa, after a contemplated absence of twelve days. The presents were then left in the middle of the floor, and the visiting party retired. On reaching the street we were conducted to a large hall in another part of the ground, where a feast had been prepared for us, set out upon black lacquered tables. The first course consisted of soups, of which there were nearly a dozen different kinds furnished in succession, in small cup-bowls, with porcelain spoons. There was nearly every kind from egg-soup to “bird’s-nest.” The solids were pleasant to the taste but rather suspicious in appearance, among which were slices of hard-boiled eggs, so colored as to resemble sections of the uncooked tomato. Finding that we were not able to make any progress with the black lacquered chop-sticks which had been distributed at each one’s place, they furnished us with little sharpened pieces of oak, with the aid of which we did full justice to our hosts.