The Sun.
London, England, 1861-11-01 00:00:00

•

j_4211,45 for a bath is 3 cash, or one•tenth of a
penny sterling. For this any amount of hot and
cold water is procurable and a convenient place to

splash about in. Nowonder, then, the poor frequent
the place instead of attempting the performance in
their own neat little cottages.
Riding along the lanes at 5 o'clock of an after-
noon, the commonest sight is to sec in front of the
cottages (in the country where there are no
public baths) a whole family, often three. genera-
tions of both sexes, all quite nude, sitting in their
flat sponging trays splashing away. If foreigners
are new in those parts the whole party will proba-
bly spring up and rush to the road side for a nearer
view, but otherwise they continue their occupation,
evidently without the slightest sense of impropriety
or feeling of shame. Dress after all is merely a
conventional arrangement; brought up from child-
hood with the eye familiarised to nudity, the same
ideas and feelings it communicates to us are un-
known to them. It is odd how soon the European
eye becomes accustomed to it; it is only strange to
new comers. Bishop Smith says the Japanese are
the most licentious people in the world ; perhaps
they may be so, but every one I spoke to agreed
that we have no evidence upon which to make such
an assertion, and I very much question if they are
not really less so than any other known Pagan

community. Polygamy is allowed and concubinage
legalised. Their moral code appears to be very much

that of the Old Testament. The married men keep

concubines, or if not rich enough for that, frequent

brothels ; but the women are faithful to the mar-
riage vow, as also are the concubines to their lords,
and the Japanese gave me the idea of being far less
sensual than the Turks, Indians, or Chinese ; at all
events, I know you can go through the country and
visit the towns, and see a certain amount of the
everyday inner life of the people, and not be shocked
by anything one hundredth part as bad as the streets
of London or Paris at night, or the saloons of the
theatres. The truth is, it is absurd to judge the
Japanese by our standard; but I question even
whether we, with our casinos and CrGmornes

"pretty horse-breakers," and the, revelations of Sir
C. Cresswell's court, Can fling a stone at the morality
of Japan. Like everything else out in these parts,
if viewed according to European notions or stan-
dards, the Japanese appear a strange mixture of
civilisation and barbarism. They unite love and
respect for women, and a consideiable amount of
high chivalrous feeling, and respect for the marriage
vow with legalised prostitution, and what with us in
the matter of dress would be considered public inde-
cency. The Bishop's book, therefore, must be read,'
and his wholesale condemnation of the Japanese, ac-
copted with caution. He appears to have looked upon
everything Japanese as the London cabman did upon
China. One of our missionaries recently in London
was riding on the outside of a cab, and told the
driver that he had been in China. Cabby was much
interested. and promptly, asked, ' Are they a
civilised-like peolile about there, sir ? Do • they
take. their gin of a morning ?'
I did:intend to have given you a short account of

the institutions of the country, our political posi,
tion, and the glorious scenery of the Inland sea,-thc
Servonada, and the city of Nagasaki, but I will
keep these for another letter by another mail.

opFNING OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE
LIBRARY BY TBE RUM OF WALES.

On the arrival of the Prince, the Royal standard
was hoisted on the staff over the turret of the.
Library. - . _

The following is a copy of the address presented
yesterday by the Treasurer and 13enchersi of the

Middle Temple to the Prince of Wales, on the oeca-

sion of his oPening the new library, and his Royal

Highness's answer thereto :

" M ay it please your Royal Highness,—We, the treasurer
and masters of the bench, barristers, and other members of
the Society of the Middle Temple, gladly avail ourselves of
this opportunity to express our warmest thanks for the
honour conferred on this society, by your royal highness
having graciously consented to become one of our members,
and to preside at the opening of the new library.
" This ceremony cannot fail to interest all who duly ap-
preciate the importance of the study of judicial science and
the diffusion of a knowledge of the laws which govern alike
all ranks and orders of society, and who deem that the main-
tenance Ofthe learning of the bar—no less than the .preser-
vation of its independence—is essential to the efficient
administration of justice and the protection of the liberty
of the subject.
"The library in which we are assembled, built for the
purpose of providing the members of this Inn with improved .
opportunities of study; may be regarded as an earnest that
the masters of the bench take a deep interest in the exer-
tions of the students, and are anxious to encourage a spirit
of generous rivalry for the honours which have been set
apart as rewards of merit.
"It is not, we trust, presumptuous to hope that amongst
those who may pursue their studies in this room many will
be found not unworthy successors of those great lawyers
and statesmen whose names are enrolled on the books of
our society, and many of which grace these walls.
" We recognise in the honour which your royal highness
has this day conferred upon us a manifestation of the re-
spect for the laws for which your royal house has ever been
distinguished, and never more so than during the happy
reign of her most gracious Majesty—a reign specially
marked by many important improvements in our laws, and
we feel assured that the enrolment of your royal highness
as one of our body will animate us all with fresh zeal ever
to uphold the dignity of the profession, and to maintain the
high character of our ancient society."
The Prince of WALES, having taken the address
from the hands of the treasurer, replied as follows
with much distinction and emphasis :
" 0 entlemen,—l thank you most cordially for this
address, and for the gratifying terms in which you refer to
my presence hero to-day.
" I have gladly accepted your invitation, and esteem it a
high privilege to be enrolled on your list of benchers, and
permitted to inaugrate the opening of this beautiful
library, so worthy of your ancient and renowned society.
"Although but very imperfectly acquainted with the
noble science to the study of which this edifice is more
especially devoted, I am deeply sensible of its vast interest
and importance, and I value as they deserve the learning
and integrity for which the bench and bar of this country
are so justly celebrated.
"Your Inn has contributed many to the long array of
illustrious names which adorn our legal annals; and while
heartily congratulating you on the completion of this great
work, I venture to express a fervent hope that the students
within its walls may largely profit by the advantages so
wisely and liberally provided for them, and successfully
emulate the fame of their eminent predecessors."

• This appropriate address was received with loud
applause, which his Royal Highness repeatedly
acknowledged by bowing.
At the dejeuner, which took place on his Royal
Highness leaving the church, after grace had been•
sung by 'the choir,
The TREASURER rose and proposed "The Queen,"
but, in accordance with the custom of the society,
without making a speech.
The toast was drunk with enthusiasm, and 'was
followed by " God Save the Queen," sung by the
choir.

The next toast was The Prince Consort," which
was also warmly responded to:
The TREASURER then proposed " The Health of
the Prince of Wales," a toast which was drunk with
great and prolonged applause.
The Prince of WALES then rose and said—Gen--
tlemen, I Wish your profession every prosperity,
and I beg to propose " Donaus."
The usual practice is to give a .toast without any
comment, and these few words were the signal for
loud applause, in the midst of which his royal
highness resumed his seat.
The band then struck up, much to the amuse-
ment of some of the conxTcany, " There's nae luck
aboot the house."
This terminated the proceedings; and the trea-
surer, accompanied by the Prince, the benchers, and
the principal rtests of, the evening, retired, passing
down the opposite side of the hall to that by which
they entered.
The Prince of Wales left the Temple soon after
five o'clock. At six there was a cooversazione in
the New :Library, which was so largely attended
that it was difficult to move about to inspect the
various interesting works of science, art, and manu-
factures which were exhibited on the different
tables. _ _ _

Among the distinguished visitors present we
noticed the
Lord Chancellor, Lord Clyde and the
Duke of Cambridge.
Lord Brougham arrived toe late to witness the
ceremony of opening the library, but he immedi-
ately proceeded to the church
during the service. He re,eeived an ovation from
the legal fraternity, Who lined the wa.y, and who
seemed delighted to see the voter=
M eal
ex-Lord Chan-
cellor so O restored to I , where he remained
th,