The Times of Tuesday last contained a telegraphic note from
Vienna relating to the assassination, on May 14th, of Okubo, Minister of the Interior, at Tokio (Yedo). The conduct of the six assassins was characteristically Japanese. They attacked the Minister, overwhelmed and despatched him, wiped their blades on his clothes, and went straight to the palace of the Mikado, saying, "We have killed the Minister of the Interior, the traitor ! take us prisoners." There was not only no attempt on their part to escape, but they walked into the very jaws of death, knowing that they must expiate their crime with their lives. This is a relic of the chivalry of old Japan,—" Murder, if need be, and death ; but in all, duty." In speaking of the four Ministers left from among the twenty faithful ones who supported the Mikado at the great political reformation, 'wait= is referred to as weak from old age. Ile has borne much, indeed, but he is by no means an old man,—fifty-five, perhaps, at the out- side,—and was, quite recently, at all events, in full vigour of mind and body. The name of Okuma, the Finance Minister, sLould hardly have been omitted in the enumeration of the faith- ful. He is a man of great ability, and remarkable for his clear head and prodigious memory. The Japanese officials commonly say that he is never to be seen with a pen in his hand or papers before him, but he directs the finances of the Empire very soundly, and knows every detail connected with them.
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