The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1885-02-17
CEN. VAN BUREN'S LECTURE.

M. Z. A. Hall last evening, to hear
Gen. Van Buren,, Consul-General of
the United States at Yokohama, lee
ture upon Japan and the japanese.
Professor Scott presided and in
troduced the lecturer in graceful
little speech, emphasizing the i'm
portance of the subject to this coun-
try at the present time.
General Van Buren, opened with a
personal statement, that he has been
for long time subject to painful
and dangerous disease, and, rest
being his object here, he could only
afford the exertion of reading his
lecture with few verbal observa-
tioDs in passing. Referring to the
pleasure he had felt in meeting his
old friend in Japan, Prof. Scott,
Immediately after landing here, he
said that, next to Christian charity,
friendship was one of the most
touching virtues. A large portion
of his lecture was from his report to
the United States Government on
the state of labor in Japan. The
book had been translated into several
languages, and he had received the
thanks of various sovereigns for
copies sent them. Eleven copies
had been illuminated all along the
margins by native artists, making
them most rare and unique volumes,
one of which he used on this occa-
sion. He rapidly described the situa-
ton, topography and area, climate
and resources of Japan. The soil
was black vegetable mould based
upon clay, and was so constituted
that chemical fertilizers were re-
quircd to make it yield its richness
to vegetation. The mean tempera-
ture at Yokohama was 57.7 degrees
Fahrenheit, the highest SO degrees
and lowest %, but nothing was more
misleading as gauge of climate than
the thermometer. Those who ina
gined Japan had thorough tropical
climate might be surprised to learn
that skating on ice was one Of the
chief pastimes. The annual rainfall
was 71.17 inches, snowfall 15 inches.
Japan's population was in 1878 be-
tween 35 and 36 millions. Previous
| to the revolution of 1868 the labor
ing class had neither rights nor pri-
vilcges. Since that time their status
had kept pace with the marvellous,
unparalleled progress of the nation.
By the lecturers description the old
order of things in Japan must have
been pretty much like that in these
Islands-in feudal system alike, but
in barbaric condition Japan ahead in
pomp and glitter. Touching the
morality Of the japanese, the Gen.
eral thought it would be unfair tc
judge them by the standard Of
Christian civilization, as, to some
extent, what would be regarded il
the latter as gross immortality was
the established order in Japan
However, great change was com
ing over the social customs of th'
country as over almost all else
Shinduism was the religion of th'
masses; Buddhism, of the nobility
The educational system was after tn
Chinese, but is being revolutionizet
upon the models of Christian nations
In this regard the lecturer gave grea
credit to Prof. Scott, who had mate
rally assisted, during his residenc
there, in bringing about the change
and had even originated one depart
ment of the reform. There are 2,54
schools in the Empire, with an at
tendance of over 80 percent of child
rem of school age. AS yet teacher
were poorly paid, their average sala
ries being about $44 a year. Doctor
received about 1G cents visit. A
mothers no women could be NOR
affectionate than those of japan
Males were largely in excess o
females in the population. Drunken
ness was rare. There was not
more cleanly people in the world
Daily ablution was the universe
custom with young and old. Th