The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-08-16


 (" Please hang yourself on a chair.1
 Usually we all sit on the mats together and the family exert themselves Tor ou entertainment by conversing pleasantly showing pictures and o6ering sweetmeats never being so rude as so laugh at oul way of using chopsticlks, unless we our. selves call attention to our awkwaxdness fs IS contrary to Japanese etiquette eve, to be in hurry, so after long call we are bowed out amid chorus of @okin arigato" tgreat thanksl "mata Oide unasaremase," (come again) and "sayo nara" (good by).
 We have attended a wedding recently As the lady and gentleman are christian. the ceremony took place in church, ant was tas,efully decorated with evergreen. and flowers. On table near the desi (they have no pulpits) vas one of thu dwarfed pine trees in which the Japaness delight, and on it a large bird represent ing a pheasant, of beautifully shaded colors and with long, dropping plumes besprinkled with gold and diamond dust This was made entirely of daikon, 2 species of radish. At the appointed hour the groom with bis best man, and the bride with her attendant, slowly walked up the aisle. A native pastor off. ciated, and the service seemed modeled after our own. They lelk the altar in the same order, the bride not walking with her husband.
 At the house where . reception wal being held the interior was hung with bright coloEed lanterns, and made gay within with many lights and flowers The young wife and her husband sat on the floor on the opposite sides of the room, and the guests were crowded closely together near them. The usual festivals of such an occasion then took place. First there was congratulatory speeches made by several Japanese gen. tlemen, followed by music @ of purely national type, then some very interesting slight-of-hand performances, as the Japanese are masters of the art of jug glery, and "gochiso (feast).
 The last was served in this wise: A square of fine, thin wood covered with soft, white paper, on which were several pieces of cake and a quantity of candy, was placed before each person. The candy was in symbolic forms, a section of bamboo to indicate masculine strength, green vines and leaves suggestive that woman should be of . gentle, clinRiuR nature, and storks and turtles, emblems of long life, representing the good wishes of the friends of the welded pair. Guests do not usually partake of refreshments at the time they are offered, but carry them home in their sleeves for future Rratifi- cation.
 After very enjoyable evening the company dispersed at reasonable hour. This we are told was a perfect contrast to buddhist or shinto wedding, where the ceremony consists in exchanging gifts and in drinking innumezable cups of sake in a regular order, beginning with the bride, the revel lasting all night No priest IS present, a marriage license obtained from the city government being all that $ necessary to make 1t legal
 We must confess to being very much in love with the Japanese people, with their gentleness, courtesy, ingenuity, and the hne, keen-edged quality of their minds but that their standard of truth is deplorably low all must admit. The government is making commendable efforts to elevate the moral tone by pro- hibiting the promiscuous use of the pub lie baths and the sale of immoral books and pictures. These poor people seem
 Like children crying in the night,
 Like children crying for the light"
 They are yearning for something, they know not what. Christianity is what their souls are blindly groping after. Give them that and all other god things will follow. Withheld that and no tenn pcrazy remedies will suffice to raise them from their debasing sensoalities and make them . moral, healthful people.