The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-18
THE CRITICS CORNER.
WEEkLr CHIr REGARDING WRIT-
EkS and BOOks.
Sto'N OF Jspan-Chrisfian Recovery of
sPaia-weman's Progress Literary
Notts,
THE STORY OF JAPAN.


London. For sale by West, Johnston
| 4 Co. Price Sl5e
This last addition to the story Of the
nations is distinguished by the same at
fractions OF type. paper, Illustrations.
maps, and index which have made the
series popular acquisition TO every H.
'fsrS' ana the story OF Japan has special
in.erss' TO Americans since the practi-
al feopening OF that mysterious country
So"inodore Perry. residence and
oHlciai position there has enabled Dr
murray to collect his materials from ma
w records and to throw much needed
As"t upon the history of a secluded peo-
Although the existence OF the Jansnasa
empire was first made known 10 Euro
feahS by Marco Polo. so late as Isss the
.'e" records extend back to A D. 67s
~ seems probable that the singular
49, rae called Amos. a remnant OF
winch still exists, were the ORIGINAL in
habitanis of the main island. Tbese were
o'oe" oack by repeated immiera lions
from Korea. and frally the four larc,
ana so" small islands were united under
one government
brushing aside the usual myths ,ttrib
uuhs celestial origin. the first emperor
hmum GOO. Il c. opened !. remarkabie
series or sovereigns Although females were
ignored i'm the line of descent the most
uistnsuished reign I'm early annals was
that OF Empress Jirgo Rogo who sue
ccssiuiy invaded Korea. The japanese
calmly correct this oblquity i'm history
os emitting her name and attrbuting the
coHpuests 10 her infant son. II became
the accepted custom of the country to
oestow the name OF emperor upon child
rem, sometimes at the aye of two wears
ana 10 have the m retired from office at
the convenience of court officials: so that
at one time there were three retired en-
perors, the reigning one being seven years
Old To relieve these tender infants of
the cares or state. sort OF superlative
prime minister was invented. with the Ii
lie OF Shotgun; and at all visible power was
placed I'm the hands OF this Official. ii
was a &C mmon mistake OF foreigners TO
suppose there were two emperors. Then
the Shoguns began to abdicate. and be
replaced by children: and in time the
empire OF Japan was ruled 10y the tutor
OF a regent OF Shotgun. But If the gov
eminent was an anomaly. the Japanese
religion was unique. Shinto. the prima-
tive religion. held neither dogma nor
system of morals. only temples and
priests Morals. they assert. We're de
vised by the Chinese. and only necessary
10 that immoral people. Every Japanese
acted rightly. consequently. we find no
trace OF oral nor written law up to 1916.
The Daimyos. or local princes. and their
magistrates decided all disputes accord
ing to custom. and their own Will.
The Feudal System obtained from an
early date. and arose from the custom
of sending a few soldiers into each prov
fnce to keep order. When a military caste
had thus been formed. their provincial
lords became powerful princes, often "a
variance with the Shoguns.
There Is no attempt made in this his
tory to explain the cause OF the long Sc
clusion OF Japan. 1t seems probable tina
the Introduction of Christianity in 1913
by ST. Francis Xavier. and the subse
quent disastrous results may have in
creased the native dislike to foreigners
The wrangles OF the fathers among them
al ne Portuguese
ers with the hostility of the Buddhists
brought the new religion into disreput'
followed by frightfui prosecutions. III
which 100000 perishedo revolt and civ
war. In l6Ss, the rebellion was crushe
and Christianity virtually extirpated.
japanese writer declared that aft,
nearly a hundred years OF Christian r
ligion and foreign intercourse the on
apparent results were the adoption
gun-powder and firearms. the use OF
bzcco. the making OF sponee-cake. ~
the Introduction of new and strange III
eases" With these advantages Japs
remained content until Commodore PERI
in 1874. forced her by combined stiens
and fuess TO open the ports TO Anne ric
ships, and finally 10 other nations. Rap
changes followed The abrogation
the Sbogunate. the resignation OF Feut
power by the daimyos. tie declaration
n constitutional hierarchy. took place
,the midst OF great disorder and civil w
bat Japan has yielded. at last. 10 the
sistlcss march Of civilization. The Il
has not come for a philosophical hists
of SO singular and secluded a nation. ia
are sufficiently -dificult- to obtain With
Deductions When that time comes,
may then understand the contradicth
OF a race at once original and initial
hospitatle and exclusive. courteous
fierce. gentle and savage. artistic. Gu
xated and barbarcvs. II. III.
THE CHRISTIAN RECOVERY
SPAIN. By Henry Edward WA