The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-01-19 00:00:00

JAPANESE WORKMEN.

On the subject of Japranese workmen, Mr. R. Henry
Brunton, 110, Cannon-street, London, writes a second letter
to The Times, in which he says :

Sir,—Kindly allow me another word on this subject,
with the object of removing the popular impression
which is conveyed by the use of the word " barbarian "
in reference to the Japanese. I conceive such an ex-
pression to he inapplicable to any class, but more espe-
cially so to the skilled workmen, the introduction of
whom to this country I referred to in my former
letter. I also deprecate any comparison being
drawn between them and the Chinese emigrants
to America. Any one who has had, as I have,
opportunities of observing the general characteristics
of these and the conditions of their life in America
must feel that they are of the lowest type of
Chinese in both intelligence and general accom-
plishments. In San Francisco they live in a state
of squalor, dirt, and the worst forms of vice, which is
infinitely worse than anything to be seen in the
open parts of China. They are the uneducated scum of
that country, which teems with an over-population, and
are in every sense utter barbarians. But the Japanese
workmen, whom it is suggested might be employed to
compete with our own handicraftsmen, are polished
and intellectual, and would comport themselves here
fully as well as the recent Italian and German impor-
tations of masons. They have the failings which are
inseparable from the Asiatic character, such as a low
cunning, servility, a want of application when their
simple requirements are obtained ; vindictiveness,
which, however, is only aroused by a grievous injury
or offence, and is generally gratified by a stab in the
dark • flightiness, and an assumption of knowledge
which they do not posses.
But the great principles of honesty and integrity
are as strongly implanted in them as in us. Their
social life will afford us many lessons. The cleanli-
ness and good order of their houses, their frugality,
•their generally peaceful and happy disposition their
joyous good nature, their fondness for their children,
their almost perfect sobriety, and their anxiety to
acquire information, are qualities which our working
men might profitably emulate. It is impoesible to speak
too highly of their cleanliness of person, politeness of
demeanour, or their consideration for one a nether. They
all read and write, are well versed in such literature,
as the country affords, which is now of considerable
extent and variety. The labouring classes in Japan are
better behaved, more comfortable in their dwellings,
and more rational in their amusements than are those
in this country. And a very marked contrast for the
worse may be remarked between a poor locality in any
of Our large towns and a similar part of a Japanese
town. No appearances of the effect of. habitual
drunkenness, an absence of dirt on the person, no
brawlirqe, or quarrels between squalid women, but a
laughing, cheerful, and happy, child-iike demeanour
among all classes is what is generally to be met with.
Japanese civilization, therefore, though different
from ours, cannot, in fairness, be said to be not
civilization at all,