GENERAL GRANT ON FOREIGN LAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1506, 25 September 1880, Page 27

GENERAL GRANT ON FOREIGN LAND.

During his conversation with the gentlemen present the General spoke of his visit to Japan. He said he had no trouble whatever with the people, as everywhere he found native Japanese who speak the English language fluently, the Government having introduced the language into the public schools. He says that in the interior districts of the country in almost every school precinct young people may be found who have never been away from home, and yet speak English in a manner that would be no discredit to Undley Murray.

He says the school system in Japan Is very prosperous and that the higher branches of science are taught in a much more* simplified form than in this country.

He related some of the incidents of his dinner with the King of Siam. whom he describes as a young man about 25 years of age, and who speaks English fluently. He said the dinner surprised him, for he found nearly every dish muoh the same as those prepared for him in Paris. Oa inquiry he ascertained that the King employs a French cook constantly, and Is endeavouring, it seems, to be up with the latest' modes of cooking. In BUm, as in other places, he found the English language the principal foreign language taught in .the Bohoobj. He thought, he said, that when he started he should need a supply of French, but found by experience that good English a the better language for a trip around the world. He thmk* English Ii sure to ba the common language for all nations, and that the more progressive conn tries, seeing this, are teaching* it in their jwhoota,— Levenworth Times.