The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-09-28

THE MikADDS EMPIRE. Book l-H$foFy 0
.Tagaa frDni G6n B. &. Ia 1872. Il D. Book u
TreysGGoF ErUpyisDre.S. CDur+l ISGtiORS. dh0SfHG-
les in J7DaD, 1870 l-it BY William Elliot Grit
lis \. NJ. Late of the Imperial University OF
Toxic Japan. ~yD,. Cloth 800. New York:
Harper n brothers; Chicago: Jansen, Mccinrg
II 60.
There are TO many persons no more in
, tcresting subjects OF literature than Ills
tory and Travel, and they arc not only in
tcrcsting but valuable to every reader
Byrcading History We are enabled to form
some conception of how the world moved
on generations before we formed part of
it, and GOOD book ofTravcl if written by a
person who has the power or capacity OF
observation we'll developed, and who
also has an opportunity to see the coun-
tries or peoples, in their true or natural
state-to see their inner life as it were
will give us some idea of The way other
nations ard other lands are getting along
at the present time, or when the traveller
passed through or stopped there. The
volume under consideration is a happy
combination of both of these subjects,
and is therefore doubiy interesting and
instructive.
There is no country, which has OF
late attracted the attention of other ma
tons to as great a degree as that OF Japan,
by the numerous changes for the better
which have been taking place there the
past few wears. And certainly no nation
is as much interested in that country as
the American. The Japanese have taken
a great "fancy" to this country, for some
reason or other, and large numbers OF the
higher class of young men are beng sent
over here to be educated. They are
found to be young men Of good mental
capacity and to be possessed OF great
desire to learn how younger and more en-
terprising nations are conducted, ana TO
learn the secret or cause of their success
The author of this work was invited by
a native Prince to go TO Japan and organ
ize a school on the American plan. He
arrived there late in 1870 and remained
about four years. Occupying the posi-
ton which he did gave him many oppor-
tunities for studying the life and customs
of the japanese which arc denied to other
nersons, and besides he had the priv
lece of examining documents and archives
which most foreigners could not obtain.
The result of his opportunities and vast
amount of labor and research is hand
some volume of over six hundred pages,
and illustrated by oyer one hundred fine
engravings.
The first half of the volume, or Book l
is devoted to the History of Japan, COM
ING down to 1872, and furnishes not only
the political, but the chronological, mytho-
logical and religious history of the land.
II gives evidence of much work and thor
oughness. Covering, as it does, period
of over $500 years, there is not much
chance given for entering into details, but
the more prominent points are given and
this is all the general reader cares about
The second division contains the per-
sopal experiences, observations and stud
les of the writer, and this will doubtless
interest the majority of readers more, as
II aiyes an insight into the life OF the peo-
pie OF the present day.
At the close OF the second division there
are about 80 pages of Notes and Appen-
dices which are followed by aweil-gotten
up analytical index. Taken, altogether
the volume isone of great interest, and
ia creditable to both author and publish
ers. Messrs. Harper & Bros, New York,
or Jansen. McClurg & Co., Chicago, Will
lake pleasure in sending copy OF TINS
fine volume to any address postpaid up
on receipt OF the price.