New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-19

He concludes the document by comma ring them
sIeauy 70 their disadvantage-with the Chinese.
among whose merchants dishonesty Is extremely
rare ~ Is we'll known throughout the East that
II chinese merchant can only be induced 10
ma, rnske eu verbal engagement or promise. no
WrlNen contract or bond IL necessary whereas II
Is absolutely impossible to place any reliance in
the engagements OF the Japanese man Of bust
ness. no matter what precautions may be
adopted. Even the American and European
bankers and merchants established in Japan in
varlably make a point Of selecting Cinnamon as
thelr compradors, factors, cashiers and tellers.
cases or dishonesty on their part being almost
enurely unknown. whereas would ever
cream OF appointing Japanese TO any such
place of trust.
call forth protests and expressions of dissent on
the part of those many enthusiasts about Japan
who would lead the uninitiated to believe that
us inhabitants are the most amiable. gentle and
inoffensive race on the face of the globe. that
their distinguishing trait is an inordinate love Of
foreign people and OF foreign ways--a popular i'm
preston strengthened moreover by the amiabie
and subdued manners Of the Japanese whom we
meet here and In Europe. so far more pleasant
In every way than the surly and ENJOYABLE att-
tude of the low-cass Chinese who infest the big
cities Of America and convey so false an I'M
preston OF their more hgh-bred compatrots at
home. Moreover. this erroneous impression con-
corning the japanese has been in great meas
ure confirmed by the numerous books which
have been published about the Land Of the
Rising Sum-" both here and in Europe. Hardly
one of the writers has either dared or cared TO
portray the Japs they really are. and each
seems 10 nave Decn led by consideration
or another TO describe this queer yellow as II
seen through rose-colored glasses II is signih-
cant. however. that those who have spent the
longest time in Japan give the least hattering
account OF It's people. and the contrast between
the degree Of enthusiasm displayed by Sir Edwin
Arnold in his series of "Japonica' articles pub
Bousquet in his remarkable essays on Japan In
the Paris Revue dos Deux Mondes.' Is exceed
ingly Instructive. Sir Edwin spent ten months.
and NJ Bousquet, to whose services the Mikado
10
Japan. Both are men Of considerable emnence
In the scientific and literary world. and are
equally anxious. though for different reasons 10
write nothing bu, pleasant and agreeable things
about "Dai Nippon" While Sir Edwin describes
the people the delight of my soul" and as the
most fearless self-respecting. lofty-mnded gen
erous honorable and hish-chare ctered nation in
the world" NJ. Bousquet is compelled In the
Revue des Deux Mondes'' to admit that the
temperament OF his Japanese friends Is without
the requisite amount Of equilibrium: that their
minds are like ships without ballast. driven
hither and thither by each gust of wind" and
that they have much intelligence. vivacity ana
talent" but mo thoroughness or perseverance Of
principle" In short he practically confesses that
which everybody who has lived for any length
of time in Japan knows to be the truth namely
that the japanese. though occasionally brilliant
are essentially superficial and without the slight
est depth of knowledge heart or moral character
Had Sir Edwin Arnold prolonged his stay IN
Japan-had he been younger and consequently
less susceptible to the charms OF the Musmee
whom he invests not only with semi angelic
grace and sweetness" but also with all the fas-
cination and charm OF her SEX. II is probable
that his account OF the people would have pos
sessed greater analogy to that Of NJ Bousquet
and in consequence been nearer the truth.
When. therefore. hear people in this country
describing the japanese as the Yankees of the
Orient, I sometimes ask myself whether they
realize the true character Of the people whom
they are pleased TO regard as their Asiatic
counterpart. for my part can see no resem-
blance between the two. for In America love
OF truth prevails. whereas St Paul was evidently
Mt Of he
the japanese when he described the Cretans az
being the greatest liars In the world True. they
are the most picturesque and artistic liars IN the
universe Their lies are intricate and elab -
rate as their marvellous embrodcrics. would
certainly never dream Of saying that about the
Americans. EN-AITACHE.