The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-22

ed on the banks OF a pond. where they
may be happy In the amphibious life that
they love, so the most aesthetic people
I'm the world have been as fttingly as
signed the prettiest site I'm the Column
bian city. Four arched bridges from as
many opposite directions span the lagoon
and connect the main grounds with
wooded island, which makes a welcome
and lovely spot OF green In the midst
of the snow-white city, and empowers
the "Hooden," as the Japanese building
"a fac-simile OF an ancient temples
called. Here these color-ioving toik.
from their temporary home (respiendent
with dts lacquer and other beautiful
work. the secrets OF whose manufacture
are known only to the subjects OF the
Mlkado) may feast their eyes by day
upon blossoms whose mingled odours
make a potpourri as delicious as the
pungent breath OF their own rose jars
while at night innumerable electric lights
and paper lanterns blend their rays into
n bouquet Of color as gorgeous as ever
queens garden wore. Here cup or
genuine Japanese tea may be had with
or without Ceremony. according TO
the size OF the silver coin exchanged FOR
1t.
The Japs have also baZasr re- filled with
their wares i'm the Midway Plaisance,
and artistic sections I'm the Liberal Arts
and Forestry buildings, all under the
management OF natives. In the Forestry
building it is refreshing to come upon
their attractive exhibit. which doesn't
boast OF the largest stump, or the widest
plank, or the longest log, or anything
else that ends in est, but is fantas-
tically and charmlngly built OF reeds
and bamboo, and filled with the most
Japanesy and dainty articles made OF
native woods.
Seated IN one corner Of this little house
was a wise-loOking Jap. intent upon
book which lay open before him. | was
so astonished to see an evidently intel
ligent man. neatly attired i'm American
clothes for all his sloping eyesD actual
ly reading, seriously and gravely. a
book over whose pages were scattered.
in what seemed to be a very random
way, the queer-looklng figures which we
are wont to see upon tea-boxes and brio
a-brac, but are given 10 look upon as
mere ornamentation, rather than as hav-
ing any serious bearing upon the affairs
Of life. that l nearly forgot the unwrlt-
ten law against prying into what con-
Germs us not in staring too inquisitlvely
upon the droll page. The leaves OF the
book were dog-eared and yelowed with
age and | longed to possess the key TO
it's puzzling contents Was It some deep
work OF scientific lore. or a chef d'Ouvre
OF japanese poet, or was It some thrill
Ing tale Of oblique-eyed love and tiny
sandaled beauty?
The poor foreigners are In fair way
TO be worn out with two questions al |
ways being asked them by our American |
public. To the first How do you like |
our country" They show great tact In !
replying: 1T like very much the Amer |
lea" or "the America Is very big, very !
good country" The second. How do I!
you like our climate?" they are apt 10 !
receive with less prudence. Oppressed, (,
II they come from the north, by the |,
heat. or shivering with cold, II they are |
from the south. they are often more /
candid than courteous in giving vent /
TO their feelings. one Of them answered !
this question so cleverly that l wish !
that 1 could remember under what nag |
he came over. "Ahr' he exclaimed. you /
have no climate in the America only |
samples OF weather." A description that |
would never apply 10 our sunny virginia, /
though IL was much 70 the point in |
bound Chicago.
MARY MANN PAGE NEWTON.