The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-07

speciality OF women and their advance
ment, and with such wisdom has he con-
Quoted this his lifelong hobby that on his
death his birthday Will probably pass into
national Feast OF Women holiday.
In the absence OF such a day regularly
established Jlmmu viii this year be de-
voted principally TO clarifying the En-
peror.
And what has ne done? The Mikado
was the first man. royal or otherwise.
TO celebrate silver wedding In Japan.
On the occasion OF the tweuty-hith ami
Versary of his marriage he ordered that
great feast and rejoicing take place.
People were invited and gifts in silver
were presented. Never before had Ja-
panese Empress been 50 hOnored.
The MikadO Is also the FIRST japanese
ruler who allowed his wife TO sit on his
thlCBe with him. Mitsu Hitu not only
allowed but insisted that Fusaka should
remain By his side. ana ne has FIRE luent-
j. deferred TO her In matters Of judgment
In lsos he declared himself no longer
absolute monarch of japan. lie csttb-
llshed constitutional government, WITH
"Parliamcnt" or Congress and asked
assistance in governing his people. He
Is said 10 have done this because ne no
ticed that women were afraid OF absolute
monarchs. and did not enjoy their society
as they did those Of less arbitrary tastes.
Another thing done by the Emperor
was the establishment OF the woman s
hospital in Akasaka. Toxic. tle made
the Empress the patroncss and takes
great pride IN maintaining IL IN inc most
scientific manner. il has wards free 10
the poor as well as pay wards Tor wealthy
people.
The Emperor. while wishing TO benefit
women as q sex, Is very fond OF them
personally lie has his standards Of
beauty. and desires hts favcrltes and the
women OF his Kingdom 10 live up to
them. For one thing he fislikes the STAIN
Cd teeth and shaver eyebrows OF the
Japerese women, ana has compelled the
Empress 10 Whiten her teeth and allow
her eyebrows TO grow. This style Is
spreading throughout Japan until you
may look among the better class for
long time without seeing the bllckcncd
teeth and defective eyebrows Of nifty
years ago
The Emperor IS fond OF Athletics for
women. lie has placed a gymnasium in
the palace. and has purchased a riding
habit for the Empress. She was the first
woman IN Japan 10 ride horseback.
When tho DOWagcr Empress died in
February. fhe Emperor expended seven
hundred thousand dollars burying her.
and 50 elaborate We're the ceremonies
that they lasted two whole days.
The Emperor IS the first japanese who
had his wife sit down az his own table.
Mikado and Princess eat opposite one
another. and are served with the same
dishes and eat the same food.
Noticing that a distinguished and beau
tiful American woman visiting Japan ate
with knife and fork. his Majesty learn
ed TO use these implements and now has
English dinnerr" served with knife and
fork. Ills usual diet. though, Is taken
with the cnopsticks OF the Orient.
On this occasion he also noticed the
superior height OF American women. and
on inquiring the cause was told that K
was probably the fish and flesh eaten by
Christians. Wfhtut committing himself
in 20 many words his Majesty intimAs-
a Iaf g.tu ira ka4 tAA 90 h..
stature Of the women ~ Japan would not
in)uro their beauty and lamented that
the Buddhfsts prohibit fsh and flesh. thus
giving his court 10 understand that an In
fringemeni OF the laws would not cause
their instant dismissal. This was un-
douh tedly a provision Of his Majesty for
future generations. for II IS several CEN
turtles before the stunting effects OF
isck-mea diet are overcome.
The EMPEROR n the grcatsst diving pa