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Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8454, 13 June 1896, Page 2

Japan and. the Japanese have never go completely monopolised the attention .of the world as at the present time. The stories told of them—thc people and the have hitherto been of the "pretty-pretty" type, and they have been indulgently considered as interesting;, though pitiful bur* lesques 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 Kreat races of the Orient. So near mid vc.tso. different, and-with all their difference," how absurdly alike. Japan has been aptly named the ' land of opposite," and truly, if <ye except thei "mimicry of the Occident," one could hardly have gone astray (a few years back) in reversing in japan the best established codes pf etiquette of England or 1! ranee, Pierre Loti, the French novelist,, has given in his little book, "Madame Crysantheme, an insight into Japanese cus.ton.igi This story of life ashore during, the visit.oj 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'' his 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,FairlCigar. ; cites are establishing 'themselves''''firmly' herc,as indeed the yrprld oyer, and already promise to expel their predecessors in tli'd : cultivated tastes of all the. most exnerienced ■ smokers* *: ,[■.,'■*;■.