The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-02-28

the most successful, because the most practiced actor in this national trage- dy. is the wife and mother. If it were possible to conceal every hope of the soul and feeling of the heart by artifi- eial gesture, then the Japanese woman could do it. But as it is not, one soon learns the motives that underlie the substitutions and from these instine- lively feels what the natural expression would be.
 Even a foreigner soon decides the worth of even a Japanese smile, and every baby knows just how little his fathers frown implies. I wonder if the ; Japanese themselves do net take con- siderable pleasure in understanding each other in this roundabout way. But this self-suppression is not the lovely spontaneity it seems: it is often a dolorous duty and the effect Of ages of severe schooling. It is certainly con- trary to nature, yet it is as beautiful as it is possible for art to be.
 The children of Japanese homes are well-bred. A foreigner never fails to notice it. As a rule they are obedient and deferential to their elders, sweet and obIiging among their equals, and patient to a degree that is philosophi- cal, yet no more genuine children are anywhere to be found. No child is without its responsibilities, and in most cases these are strapped to its back and it bears them cheerfully. There is a beautiful spirit of helpfulness be- 1 tween brothers and sisters.
 | think the children have more real affection for each other than they do for their parents, for whom their re- spect is unbounded. Although the Jap- anese take great pride in their babies and their growing sons and daughters, they strenuously endeavor not to reveal 1t, and If you had naught but their word for it you would think they were quite harassed and disgusted with their offspring.
 T suppose" said a friend, before ] left for Japan, you will have to refer to your baby as my dirty, insignificant and troublesome little son."
 Still after all, no one can withstand the blandishments of an infant, and many a Japanese mother have I en- trapped into glowing details of the ac- complishments of her small children.
 The mother does not often give them all the attention which mothers should She is ever at the beck and call of the head of the family to the exclusion oi all other requests. At such times if the babies protest they are stuffed with sweets or turned over to the servants and such times are nearly all the time The servants are not refined, but they are kind-hearted women, and they are closer members of the household than our servants are or would like to be- and for that reason they mother the children and naturally get the greater half of their love.
 1 Much of the discipline of the family is turned over to the elder brother. It is summary and sound. Occasionally the father devotes himself to the chill dren on a picnic or a walk or in the evening telling them stories or playing games, but never under any circum- stance will he lay aside his pipe and his dignity to crawl about on his hands and knees in the similitude of a lion. "Ototsan" is always imperturbable. Mothers and fathers often speak ad- mlringly and wistfully of the care and love that are bestowed upon the chill dren of the west, and 1t may come to pass some day that their own will flg- ure more as human opportunities than as issue and heirs,
 A Japanese away from home is the most homesick thing In the world. What is it he longs to get back to? His own family? His friends? No, these are too easily put on and off. It is Japan itself. All Japan is home, to him, and no wonder. Never did any nationality in any age become more amaIgamated. Its racial instincts ex- actiy correspond to family pride and family affection. Its former exclusive ness bred these in the bone. Besides, It's blood relationships are so closely interwoven that 1t Is, in reality, one huge household and family.-A Japa- nase sentleman's American Wife, Wri- ting in the Congregationalist.