Page 6 Advertisements Column 3

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10033, 21 January 1896, Page 6

The Newton Fishing Club will go on a I pleasure excursion to the fishing grounds I to-morrow afternoon by the p.s. Tonjariro. from the Ferry Wharf. These excusions are tobe held every alternate Wednesday,' Japan and the Japanese have never so completely monopolised the attention of the world as at the present time. The stories told of them— psople and the country— hare hitherto been of the "pretty-pretty" type, and they have been indulgently considered as interesting though pitiful burlesques of Western civilisation. But, as the French proverb says, " we have changed all that," and the determined character of the Japanese has been forcibly illustrated in the course of the memorable struggle between the groat races of the Orient. So near and yet so different, and. with all their difference, how absurdly alike. Japan has been aptly named the "land of opposites," and truly, if we except the " mimicry of the Occident,"one could hardly have gone astray (a few years back) in reversing in Japan the best established codes of etiquette of England or France. Pierre Loti, the French »ovelist. has given in his little book, " Madame Cryiauth6me," an insight into Japanese customs. This story of life ashore during the visit of the French fleet is instructive as well as interesting, especially as viewed in the light of later events, the Japanese war not being thought of at the time of its publication. Unfortunately the "opium habit" has to a certain extent established itself in this beautiful country. It is not so prevalent as in China, and it is more than likely that it will give place to a much more healthful and enjoyable pastime. Vanity Fair Cigarettes ' are establishing themselves firmly i here, as indeed the world over, and already | promise to. expel their predecessors in the cultivated tastes of all the most experienced I smokers. *. - » rV