North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-06-26
DOMESTIC LIFE IN JAPAN,

Nothing produced more agreeable
impressionupon me" says DR.. Fl. Msron
in his work upon Japan and China, ethan
the amicable relations prevailing in the
family circle. In the smallest hut ms in
the more opulent houses, sincere inter
est and affection is manifested by the in
mates towards each other, which, while it
is entirely free frem mawkish sensibility.
is accompanied with politeness and equal
ity of manner that in more civilized coun-
tries is the result only of the highest cult
vation.
"The social position of woman is prini-
tive and natural. She is not a slave as
among most Asiatic nations neither is
she the spoiled, pampered goddess whom
We worship with such exaggerated devo-
ton; she is the friend and adviser of her
husband, from whom she invariably re-
ceives attention and respect, the sharer
In his pursuits, and, while she is always
protected from rudeness by the sacredness
of custom. should she be ever attacked by
insult from without she 10 sure of beng
promptly and chivalrously defended.
"But her domain 10 limited to the su-
psrintendence of the household and the
education Of her children. The stsrner
calls Of business and authority are answer
ed by the man alone. The Japanese
treats his wife as q useful being, equal with
himself who is created for the happiness
and embellishment Of his existence; and
the law ms we'll as custom has decided that
the relations between them can never be
reversed. There are therefore neither
Xantippes nor goddesses in Japan nei-
ther romontic danes who pine for love,
nor strong minded women; the young
are careless and merry, the matrons sensi-
BILE and Industrious" The Japanses
maiden is perfectly aware of the fate
that awaits her as regards marriage, and
is Indifferent as to the choice between
Paul and Peter. The house of the former
is just as good as that Of the latter, for in
Japan all are alike and IN each are seen
the same mats, paper door, portable
hearth, food and clothing; in each pre-
vail the same duties and rights.
"Her heart, no doubt, speaks its prefer.
eDce, and feels as deeply ne that of her
European sister, but she does not weakly
sink into the despair of nameless grief if
her wishes be frustrated. Her education
has solid and unchsngable foundation
which permits no deviation from its rules.
and prepares her methodically for her real
vocation-to be loved. The end and Oh
ject Of all the care beloved upon her 10,
her husband. Our young ladies are too
proud to educate themselves merely for
domestic life, too weak t. render them
selves competent to live alone, and thus
they float lazily through life without sufi-
cieut ballast to keep them steady. They
learn too little for Independence, too much
for real loveliness.
"The relations between parents and chill.
dren, ard the rational manner 10 which in
which the latter arc brought up, are not
the least admirable features Of Japanese
domestic life. The rules which govern
the system Of education are directly op-
posed to the laws governing the State,
which impose the penalty of death for ev-
cry infraction Of blind and stupid obedi-
ence. The child, on the contrary, is treat.
ed with the most inexhaustible patience !;
and if persuasion and kind reasoning must
give place to punishment, the mildest one
that can be thought Of is ever that is re-
sorted to. have never witnessed the
correction of a child, nor discovered any
instrument which could possibly be used
for such purpose, nor can remember
ever TO have heard little voice sobbing
or crying, yet can assert with truth that
in no part of the world have I met with
such thoroughly well-behaved, amiable
children as those in Japan"