Daily Republican., 1888-08-17
JAPANESE.
BY AMBROSE 5. oTrEY.

History tells us of a. people called jap
anese. They have the best children OF
the world, and It is said, due 10 educa-
with the best Of care and kindness, but
almost without restriction. Everywhere
they are found-at the theatres, at festi-
walls, playing on the steps of temples.
The way the Japanese houses are built
saves much trouble with the children.
There are no stairs for them TO tumble
down, no furniture to fall over, no sticky
food for themto bedaub themselves. They
are rarely heard to cry, but when they do
break forth they make a tremendous
racket, yelling at the top Of their voice.
In his travels through the country, Pro-
lessor Morse only saw boys lighting, and
then only slapping each other.
The dress the children is the came as
that OF the adult. The sleeves are open
on the inner edge, with a pocket on the
Inner side. The dress Is very simple easy
and free, with tucks t. be let down as the
child grows, so that as the fashion never
change, and the dress is made OF strong
silk, brocade, or silk and cotton, 1t will
last from 10 10 20 years. The childrens'
ehoes ara made of blocks of wood, secur-
ed with cord to the feet. The stocking
resembles mitted, having separate
place for the great toe. As the shoes are
lifted only by ihetoes, the heels make rat
tling sound as their owners walk, which
Is quite stunning in crowd They are
not worn in the house, as they would In
iure the soft straw mats with which the
floors are covered. Every house is built
with reference t0 the number OF mats re-
quired for the floors, each reom having
from eight to 16, 6,aRd in lodging you pay
so much for a mat. They think it extra
VACANT in us to require a whole ON 10
ourselves. The Japanese shoe gives per-
feet freedom to the foot. The beauty of
the human foot is seen only In the Japa-
nese. They have no co ms, no ingrowiDg
nails, no distorted joints. Our toes are
cramped until they are deiormed, and
are in danger Of ex inctloc. The japanese
have full use OF their toes, and to them
they are almost like fingers. Nearly every
mechanic makes use Of his tee in holding
his work. Every toe is fully developed.
Their shoes cost two cents and last six
months. We have one toy, the Japanese
have a tn 'usand. Every thing 10 art and
nature sls initiated in miniature. Toys
can be bought for half cent, and ele-
giant ones for eight and ten cents. There
are stands on the streets kept by old
women, where little girls can buy a
spoonful of batter, aud bake their own
toy cakes. Then comes al ,ng q man with
bucketful Of soap.Euds which he sells
cupful for the hundredth part Of a cent,
(they have coins as small as that, as IL
takes a thousand of their pennies to make
one of our dollars) who blow soap bub.
bliss through bamboo reed. The Uabies
make mud ples and play at keeping house
just as ours do. They are taught to be
polite and say "thank YOU"
Ifyou give child penny he will not
only thank you at the time, hut when.
ever he meets you again. PoliteGess,
etiquette, dlial ! ty and modtsty are
taught in all the schools and colleges.
There is no locking of doors, but the
most valuable articles left 10 your room
are safe. A Japanese gentleman inserted In
his gate On the public streets, most
delicate carved panel, such as we would
place In our parlor, and In period OF
five years It was not touched Ir deiaced
in any way. Noting the contrast this
offers to the state of things in cur own
country, Professor Morse believes r. to
be owing to our more careless way of
bringing up our children, 1t may be
said that the Japanese are naturally
gentle, yet they make the flercest fighters
in the world. In the future will tell your
readers more of them, as we hive
studied the manners and customs Of all
nations.
Claymont, Aug Is, 1888.