Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-06-19
THE JAPANESE AND THE WOMEN:

The New York Times deems it necessary to
speak "a wholesome word" to the women OF
New York, touching their intercourse with the
japanese. 1t suggests very earnestly, that by
thoughtless behavior they may "tarnish the
national reputation for decency as well as
common sense" and reminds them in as deli
cate fashion as possible that "the lore trousered
japanese is creature of the masculine persu-
alton" 1t would be pleasant TO think this
lecture unnecessary; but the behavior OF
women at Washington, Baltimore, and Phila-
delphia, towards these representatives OF
the tycoon, forbids US to call it imperti-
nent The forward, obtrusive, and very
indicate manners OF the women at Wash
ington toward these visitors, became dis
gushing to all observers, and must have
given the intelligent and refined gentlemen
who compose the embassy an unfavorable
opinion of the character of women in this
country and the more SO, because in Japan,
women with any social pretensions whatever
seldom show themselves to strangers, and
would sooner be guilty of self-murder than of
indecent forwardness towards visitors of the
masculine persuasion" These men have their
ideal of decorous, chaste, and refined woman
hood, which they are not likely to exchange
for nything that has been taught them by
their experience or observation here.
If the women of the United States deserved
the reputation to which they are made liable
among the japanese by such demonstrations as
those Of the ''female brigade" at Washington, it
might be well to keep silence. But they do
not deserve it. They are as far as possible
from deserving it, We do not go to the
"beauty and fashion" of Washington for the
best specimens of American womanhood, for
they do not abound there; but, at Washing
ton, it was more thoughtlessness eager for
new sensation, than anything else, that led the
fashionable" women of Washington to pay
such forward and annoying attentions to
the japanese. 1t is, however, nowise like
ly that their example would he very gen.
orally followed in this country and it is
pleasant to believe that henceforth our Jap.
anese visitors will not get an opportun-
ity to study that style of womanly behavior
among us. In New York there is likely to be
more restraint, decency, and self respect; and
if the ambass, doris come to New England it is
very certain that they will encounter women
with manners of another fashion. What hap.
pened at Washington could not happen here
under any circumstances whatever
The japanese are generally well educated
people, with literary tastes and many books.
A record of the experiences and observations
ofthe embassy in this country theywould doubt
less read with avidity. Therefore it can hardly
be considered unreasonable to suppose that
such a record will be made by some person
connected with it, for publication on their re.
turn. If 50, we hope that a copy of it may
be obtained for translation and publication
here. 1t would make fortune for the pub
Usher and it would be one of the most useful
"new publications" that has appeared in this
country for years. The chapters on American
women would unquestionably astonish some
of the fair ladies who have sought the
acquaintance of these oriental strangers,
and besieged their rooms with indecor-
Gus and annoying pertinacity. But the
meulclne Woulu nave an excellent eHect
1t is very difficult to get japanese books.
They kept them from strangers very care
fully, it is said; and those which can be
procured from time to time are not such as the
purchasers would choose. But when this ia
panese book of travels shall appear, we trust
that no pains will be spared to secure copy of
itIfor American edifcation.