"Observed of All Observers"

After the Japanese Embassy arrived in Honolulu the following remarks were published in the March 8, 1860 edition (second page) of the Pacific Commercial Advertiser:

“THE JAPANESE. –With the natives, and we may say with the foreigners, too, there has been nothing to talk about but our distinguished visitors. Wherever they go about town, they are the “observed of all observers.” It makes no difference, whether, it be a store or private dwelling, curiosity prompts them to enter. There need be no fear of their pilfering; they are probably as honest, perhaps more so, than their more civilized brethren. Each one carries a sword, some of which are the finest workmanship-the blades of beautifully burnished steel, with an edge as sharp as a razor. Some of the officials carry a short dirk, which we understand to be a mark of rank.”