The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-29


The author is now living in Japan. it wa
necessary to send the proof sheets there
for revision. ana the book did nos appear
at the time promised.
1t may be said without reserve that the
works Of this author are the only descrip-
lions Of japanese life by an English or
American writer which are at all worth
reading. Those who have read the carrier
volumes Of the serics--if anything so des-
ultory can be called series-are already
aware of this. "Out of the East"
.'Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan "Ko-
koro,'' and "Glimpses in Buddha Feds
are perfect in their way, and Their way
is unique. There is no other author
known to literature who uses the Eng ish
language just as Hearn does. One may
or may not like his style, but one must
admit that his individuality is in every
word of it, and that the secret of its
charm is absolutely his own. 1t is un-
likely that he will ever be what is called
a popular author, but it is quite probable
that his books may in the next generation
be regarded as classics.
The unusual character Of the work OF
Mr.. Hearn is probably due in some part
10 his personal history. His father was an
Englishnan. his mother a Greek; he was
born in the Mediterranean, brought up in
New Orleans and the West Indies, and has
lived for rather more than ten years in ia
pan, where ne holds the position Of lecturer
on English literature in the Imperial Uni
versity at Tokyo. The general public first
came 10 know Of him through a strange
weird legend of New Orleans. called
"Chita; the Story of Last Island which
appeared in ''HaTper's Magazine" No
one who read that sketch can ever forget
it, This was followed by "Youma,"
story of slave life in Martinique, and
some papers on the West Indies under the
title of "A Midsummer Voyage TO the
Tropics" These were subsequently pub
lished, together with other essays and
stories, in a collection called Two Years
in the French West Indies which is
probably the best book on that subject
ever written. Then, with Mr.. Hearn's
residence in the East. came the series
of japanese books, which have appeared
at irregular intervals during the last ten
years, and deal with the philosophy, re-
ligion, customs, scenery, literature, his
tory. and racial characteristics of the ia
panese. "Out of the East has perhaps
more Of the Oriental philosophy in it than
any of the others, but none of them is
devoted TO any one subject.
The present collection of essays is per-
haps least important TO the ordinary read
eT, and it should properly be considered,
not by itself, but as part of a general
view Of Japan. Nearly half of the book
the part under the head of ''EXotics -
deals with the material facts of japanese
life. There is a description of the ascent
of Fuji-no- yama. the sacred mountain OF
Japan; n paper on Insect Musicians
which will delight students of natural his
tory: a discussion OF - Question in the
Zen Texts" which is a little too mystical
10 interest the public in general; a paper
on The Literature of the Dead which
deals with japanese cemeteries, and an es-
say on Frogs containing numerous eX-
cerpts from japanese literature on that
subject These essays will interest only
persons DESTROYS of knowing as much as
possible about the details OF japanese life.
The subjects are not such as appeal TO eV-
eryone But the perfection of treatment
the synpathetic accuracy with which every
phrase is used, cannot fail to please. The
richness OF the authors vocabulary, the
lefsurely movement of his sentences, pro-
duce at first almost an effect Of over-elabo-
ration in style: bu; on Analysing the eE-
pressions which he has used in describing
the maryelously subtle and fascinating CIV
ilization of Japan, one finds that not a
word is wasted. Another thing which is 10
be noticed by the student of these papers
ners of the country are never described as
matters OF mere curiosity, as they are IN
most books of travel; they are always con-
sidered in relation 10 the life OF the race.
Here. for instance, is the beginning OF the
chapter on Insect Musicians"
II YOU ever visit japan be sure to go 10 1t
least one temple festival-en-Iiclli. The festival
ought 10 he seen at night when everything shows
TO the best advantage in tie glow 81 countless
lamps and lanterns Tam you have had this cx-
VerieBce you cannot know what japan is-ycu
rsun0t imagine the real cilJnn Of qucer1ess and
rrettiness. the wonderful blending OF grOtesqnery
and beauty to be found in tic lie Of the common
people.
In such a night you viii probably let yourself
drift awhile with the stream Of sight-sCeTs,
through dazzling lanes OF booths full Of toys
indc-frihable-dainty pueriliies fragile astonisl-
IneItS understanding oddities; You viii observe
representations Of demons, gods, and goblins you
Will be startled ly nInaO-llnineiIse Lantern
frau=uareagics. with InOnstIJus faces painted up
on them; You will have glimPses Of jugglers
ac1obaIs. sWord-jaHcers, fortunctcllcrs: you viii
hear everywhere. above the tuiHult Of voices,
ceaseless blowing Of flutes aud booming Of drums
All this may moi be worth stopping for. BI'
presently. / am almost sure, you will pause II
your promenade to look at booth ILLUMINATED
like . magic lantern. and stocked with tins
wooden cages. out 81 which Incompatible
fhriiug proceeds. The booth j. the booth OF
vcnder oi singing insects, and the storm Of nnlst
i made hv tho insects HE sight j. CURIOUS
But having satisfied MS monetary curiosity
the foreigner usually goes his way with tn
idea That he has been inspecting nothing TnoT'
Irihafkdi'!e Than Particular variety oil toys i"
children. he laigut easily he made 10 under
stand that the insect trade Of Tokyo alone rep
reSents q yearly value Of thousands Of dollars
hat be would certainly wonder If assured tia
the insects themselves are esteemed for the pc
culiar character Of the sounds which they make
II would not be easy 70 convince him that IN tn
austhctic life Of q most refined and artistic PEG
L. H.a=a IS 1..tl @ an
or wcll-de-eFrl than that occupied IN West
civilization 10y our thrl-lcs. EunCts, night
insales, and esnlfics- What stranger could sup
pose that a literature one thousand years OH
literature fail 81 ouriuus and delicate beaui
exists upon tie alhisgt Of these si.ort-l!vcd IL
set pets?
Compare these paragraphs with the re
marks which would be made upon th'
same subject in the ordinary Cooks Tour
list book Of travel. and you may see at
glance the difference between Lafcadi,
Hearn and other writers OF the Western
world. After this introduction, he zoe
on TO describe several varieties Of thes
tiny musicians, and TO quote bits of Jap
anese verse which have been write
about one and another. The conclusion G
the essay Is characteristic bit Of work
Surely we lave something 10 learn from a pc
PIE iu whose mind the simple chant Of a crici
san awaken who'll" ;a4rs-sTIrfus ~ tender and de
icafc iAicics We mas boast Gf being their ma
ter ia the MISUNDERSTANDING teachers uf Il
artificial IN al its varieties II uglincss-but
The knowledge OF the natural in the feeling
the jos and beauty % earth-th,y cxce,d Us III
The Greeks Of old. Net perhaps IL viii BE- On
when our blind aggressive industralism h
wasted and sterilized their paradise, SUBSTITUTE
eyerywhere for beauty the utiii;arsn. the co
yeniianal, the yulgar the utterly hidcous. III
we shall begin with remor~ciul ainazement
comprehend the charm Of that which we d
stroycd.
The intense idealism OF Hearn is n,