Page 2 Advertisements Column 4

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXIX, Issue 8693, 24 March 1897, Page 2

Japan ami tli« !i vo never B>. ('•>ni|<!i-iely mnii<'|;n , i"t"l tin- :»t•f-ticiu of Hi world Hs at tin; (iroHbiit time. The storier told of them—the people ami the countryhave hitherto been of the ''pretty-pretty 1 type, nnd they have been inilulpotly con siacred hs inteiestinji, though pitiful bur li'?(|Uß3 of Western civilisation. i3uc, as tin Flinch proverb auya, " w.e have chuuned all that," and the clrirnctur of th<Japanese has been forcibly illustrated in lie course of the memorable struggle between the great races of the Orient. So near and yetso different; and with all tlioir difference, how absurdly alike. Japan has been aptly named the "laud of opposites," uml truly, if we except the "mimicry of tho Occident,"one could hardly have aßtray (a few years back) in reversing in Japan the best established codes of etiquette of England or France. Pierre Loti, the French novelist, has given in his little book, " Madame Crysanth6ine," an insight into Japanese customs. This story of life ashore during the visit of the Freuch 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. Uufortuuately the "opium habit 1 ' has to a certain extent established itself in this beautiful country. It is not so prevalent as in China, and it is more thau likely that it will give place to a much more healthful, and enjoyable pastime. Vanity Fair Cigarettes are establishing themselves firmly here, ae indeed the world over, aud already promise to expel their predecessors in the cultivated tastes of all the most experienced arogkets- i