Page 3 Advertisements Column 5

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10081, 17 March 1896, Page 3

Japan and the Japanese have never so completely monopolised the attention of the world as at the present time. The stories told of them—the people and the countryhave hitherto been or the pretty-pretty " type, and they have been indulgently con* sidered as interesting, though pitiful burlesques of Western civilisation. But, as the Frenoh proverb says, " wo have changed all that," and the determined character of the Japanese has been forcibly illustrated in the course of the memorable struggle between the great 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 estab- ] lished codes of etiquette of England or Franco. Pierre Loti, the French novelist, has given in his little book, " Madame Crysan- 1 t.li6me," an insight into Japanese cjstoms. 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 here, as indeed the world over, and already promise to expel their predecessors 111 the cultivated tastes of all the most experienced smokers. Smith and Caughey hold by far the largest stock of flannelettes. We show 800 went pieces imported direct from leading manufacturers.—