The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-08-06

4 beeuriful that have seen in any part of the
| world Every mile over which have travelled
| Is seemingly n landscape garden. Inc "Aoie
country is subdiyided into small parcels OF 1855
ti,a5, a single acre. and about each such plot Of
ground there ID a neatly clipped hedge or Dor
der of some kind OF towering plants. me Ter
raced sides of the mountain slopes are very ar
tistic and beautiful. Even the stuDborn focks
on the mountain sides lose their wildness
and enter into the landscape HE apo"1
them, Their public gardens are particu-
larry interesting The display of hedges and
trees clipped into the most fantastic shapes
show what masters they are of the pru-
ming knife Manikin naples, Tom Thump pine
trees scarcely over foot high, but over one NOR
dred years old with all the gnarls ana khots Of
their fellows of the forest are to be seen IN any
Of these gardens and are so common tha6 'hey
are not regarded as curiosities, but only as Jhe
most natural artificalities The love OF nature
is ruling passion with these people. All classes
reel its force, and the poor as well as the rich
the low as well as the high, contrlve to gratlfy
this passion. They win flock TO these gardens
as we flock to see a play and there they will sit
for hours enjoying this love of nature NO other
love can turn the Japanese thoughts Mother
earth is rairer in his eyes than any of her daugh-
tiers and to her is given the heart that should be
thiers As for flowers, especially tree flowers
OF those of the larger plants. like the fdths-loys
taria and the iris are their favorites-ther APP
probation of their beauty IS as phenomenal a.
the beauty itself. Combined with tnls love OF
nature there is another subject thap pefvades
and permeates his whole being. That subject is
Dirt. To it he is born as birth right. From the
tips of his III, s TO the ends Of his toes he IS an
artist sll over Ills perception OF beauty Is as
keen his comprehension OF Science is crude,
for to the whole Of the Far Eastern World
Science is a stranger Art has been their mis-
tress for over two Thousand years, Dut science
has never been their master. But need ! say
anything more to prove the civilization OF land
which has furnished our homes with the finest
brio. -brac and china that the world has ever
produced. Their carvings In ivory and wood
their lacquer and porcelain have never been
equaled.
So much for the japanese as an artist. Let us
turn to that more serious subject which ever
occupies his mind Strange as it may seem with
the effort that has been made to chrstianize
these people, they should still turn their faces to
the rising sun for inspiration. Christianity has
failed to commend itself to him, while Buddh-
ism still to satisfy his longing. If the Mis-
sionary has taught him that Christianity is a
religion of love, he can adduce proof that Budd
hSm is none the less so. If he is told that Chris
tianity recommends charity, he can satisfy you
that half the teachings Of Buddhism are spent
in intoxicating this virtue. He is ready to assert
that his religion goes even further than ours,
fornot only to men is man enjoined to show
kindness, but to other animals as well. Taken
altogether from what casual observer see
Of their religion he must conclude that in heart
at least Buddhism and Christianity are not very
farapart.
But have carried this letter to such length
I'm T l,o cto To,
close it by telling you something OF plans
and ourselves. First in regard to the business
that brought me over here. | have not found it
as favorable as represented, but | still think
with intelligent and economical management it
may prove success
shall in all probability remain here at least
one year, as it will take that time to get the
business started. We are now getting up the
machinery for the manufacture of tile material
and hope to have it in operation in about two
months.
Your brother affectionately,