Page 4 Advertisements Column 1

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 10706, 31 August 1896, Page 4

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'poople und the countryhave hitherto been of the "prutty-pretty" type, and they have been indulgently considered as interesting, though pitiful bur- < leaqaes of Western civilisation. But, as the French proverb says, "wo have changed nil that," und the determined character of the Japanese bus been forcibly illustrated in the course of the memorable struggle butweeu the great raceß of the Orient. So near and yet so different, and with all their difference, how . absurdly alike. Japan has been aptly named tho "land of opposites," and truly, if we except the " mimicry of the Occident," one could hardly have gone astray (a few years back) iv reversing in Japan the best established codes of etiquette of England or France. Pierre Loti, the French novelist, has given in hia little book, '' Madame Crysanthdmo," au insight into Japanese customs. ' This story of life ashore dnrinß the visit of the French fleet ib 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 thie beautiful country. It is not so prevaleut ao in China, and it is more than likely that it will give plaoe to a much more healthful and enjoyable pastime. Vanity Fair Cigarettes are establishing themaelve 1 } firmly here, ne indeed the world over, and already promise to expel their predecessors in tho \cultivrtwd tastes of all the most experienced Btnoker3.

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