Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-07-09
As Others See Us.
By REV. W. II. wITHRow, NJ. A.

A most remarkable book of japanese
authorship is one by Mr.. Jugoi Arinori
Mori, charge d Afaires from Japan at
Washington. 1t is entitled Life and
Resources in America" and was designed
for exclusive circulation among his coun-
trymen, in order to give them some idea
of the enterprise and prosperity of the
people of the United States. So great
were its merits and SO valuable was its
Information that by special request, an
edition was printed in English for Ameri-
can circulation. The author, although
occupying so responsible diplomatic
position, is only twenty five years of age.
Yet his acquaintance with American
institutions, law, literature, science, and
statistics is marvellous; and his little
volume is one of the best manuals which
could be placed in the hands of any
American youth as a compendious account
of the condition and resources of his own
country.
MIR. Mori treats first official and political
life, giving an outline Of the organization
of government, and statistics Of the vari-
Gus public departments and of the execu-
tive bureau, inters persed with shrewd
remarks and comments, not always to the
advantage of the subjects of his criticism.
The tribe of ofice-seekers and lobbyists
who swarm in the corridors of the Capitol
at Washington especially receive his
sarcastic castigatiou. The means of
national defense, the army and navy. are
fairly described. as well as the organization
for the administration of justice, and the
constitution Of the different courts of law.
The wonderful material resources of the
country, agricultural and mineral, are set
forth with numerous details which will be
new to many even of his American readers.
The multifarious modes of industrial and
social life, in the great cities and on the
remote froutiers, on the farm and planta-
ton, aud among miners, lumbermen, and
fishermen. are vividly described. Their
characteristic humors and usages, the
corn-huskings, app e-parings, and barba-
cues, are we'll sketched, and the Fourth of
July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas festi.
vals duly commemorated.
The course and character of internal
and foreign commerce are indicated. The
canal and railway system, telegraphy.
shipping, banking, etc. are also described,
as we'll as the multiform ram,6cations of
manufacturing and mechanical industry.
Concerning the abundance of cotton and
wooden goods, and the consequent comfort
and decency, especially of female apparel.
our author makes the philosophical remark
that cheap clothing, by cultivating modesty
anb self-respect, has greatly tended to raise
the condition of woman in America, aud
therefore has greatly benefited the entire
community.
10 thoughtful paper Mr.. Mori dis
cusses at length the Religious Life and
Institutions Of America. He gives brief
account of the Bible, adducing, as the
foundation of Christian morals, the Ten
Commandments, the Beatitudes, the Lords
Prayer, and other portions Of the Sermon
on the Mount, and paying high tribute
to its ethical spirit. "The increasing in
Auence of the Bible" he says, !" is marvel.
lously great, penetrating everywhere. Il
carries with it tremendous power o.
freedom and justice, guided by combined
force of wisdom and goodness"
A classification Of the various religious
denominations follows, with an account O
their distinctive features. At the head o
these bodies for numbers and influence b.
places the Methodist Episcopal Church
"Of all the visible evidences Of prosperit,
among the religious people Of Anerica,
he remarks, speaking from . Japanes'