TŌKYŌ, December, 1896.
DEAR OLD FELLOW,-- ... The Emperor paid us a visit the other day; and
I had to don a frock-coat and a thing which inspired the Mohammedan
curse,--"May God put a HAT on you!" We stood in sleet and snow--horribly
cold (no overcoats allowed) and were twice permitted to bow down before
His Majesty. I confess I saw only _les bottes de S. M._ He has a deep
commanding voice--is above the average in height. Most of us got cold, I
think--nothing more for the nonce. Lowell discovered one delicious thing
in the Far East--"The Gate of Everlasting Ceremony." But the ancient
ceremony was beautiful. Swallow-tails and plugs are not beautiful. My
little wife tells me: "Don't talk like that: even if a robber were
listening to you upon the roof of the house, he would get angry." So
I am only saying this to you: "I don't see why I should be obliged to
take cold, merely for the privilege of bowing to H. M." Of course this
is half-jest, half-earnest. There is a reason for things--for anything
except--a plug-hat!...
Affectionately,
LAFCADIO HEARN.