THE OLD AND THE NEW.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 17, 12 September 1912, Page 4

THE OLD AND THE NEW.

The “Dunedin Star” remarks that in Japan, as elsewhere, the old order is changing and “yielding place to the new.” The late Emperor Mutsuhito did much in this direction, but more remains to he done. There was a time when the Emperor lived apart from his people, and the possibility of his riding abroad, so that his subjects might gaze upon his face, never entered the most riotous imagination. Gradually but surely this startling revolution in ancient custom and venerable precedent was made, and tens of thousands of loyal Japanese became accustomed to the presence of their Emperor (it is only foreigners who call him the Mikado) in their streets and parks. And the new Emperor, Yoshihito, has thus early in his reign made an even greater advance. Precedent lias been ignored and innovation approved within that holy of holies tiie Court itself. These changes may not,

appear of great import to the more careless Western, but think of the centuries during which Japan has been doing things exactly opposite to the European way. As Mr Basil Hall Chamberlain points out: “Japanese hooks l>egin at the end, the word ‘I inis’ coming where we put the title-page. The foot-notes are printed at the top of the page, and the reader puts in his marker at the bottom. A Japanese mounts his horse on the right side. Boats are hauled up on the beach stern first. The Japanese do not say north-east or south-west, but eastnorth or west-south. They address a letter in the reverse way to us, putting the name last, and instead of writing” Mr John Smith they put Smith, John, Mr. In keeping accounts they write the figures first, the items curt responding to them next.”