The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-04


during its course, which consumed
more than an hours time, he held the
undivided, and, at times enthusiastic
attention Of an audience comprising
more than 500 persons. In this audi
enee was a great majority of the pub
lie school teachers of the city, for the
benefit Of whom these university extern
sion lectures are primarily arranged.
And it may be remarked in passing
that if these teachers in their geOgra-
ply classes attempt to Introduce the
pronunciation of the names of places,
rivers, mountains, etc, in Japan as
they were glibly reeled off by DR..
Iyenaga, there viii be an epidemic Of
tongue-tied children in Topeka before
LONG.
One would naturally think that a
lecture on the purely physical aspects
of a country would be rather dry and
uninteresting, bat DR.. Iyenaga proved
the exception to- the rule in handling
such a subject. Everything he said
was most interesting, in his discussion
OF the topography of the island empire,
its geographical conditions, its
fora, fauna, avifauna, mineral
resources, climate and the terri
BILE aspects of nature, which it expert
ences such as typhoons, tidal waves,
and on the other hand its beautiful
| aspects of nature and the influence Of
these natural aspects upon the inhab-
itants.
| is evidenced by his personal appear
ance. Dr. Iyenaga is thoroughly Ameri-
canized, being graduate of both OBJ
erin and Johns Hopkins university
And while his enunciati is favored
with the japanese accent, his vocabu-
larry Of the English language is unlim-
tied apparently, and his rhetoric grace
ful and vigorous He is blessed with
a keen wit and his comprehensive re-
view of the physical conditions and the
makeup of the land Of the Mikado and
his vivid descriptions, some of them
really poetic. Of the beautiful scenes
in his native country, coupled with
glimpses of the life of the japanese
and humorous references to some of
our national customs. held the closest
attention of his hearers. He really
typifies the viTility, progressivene and
intellectual strength Of his native land.
DIR. Iyenaga's lecture was profusely
illustrated with stereopticon slides,
made by artist compatriots, and the
cOloring of some of them was exquisite.
After describing the various physical
aspects of the country, Dr. 1yenaga
took his audience on a sort of an
illustrated tour, with the aid of the
stereopticon views. through the land
from Toxic to Kobe, and his descrip-
tons of many of the scenes shown, in
GLIDING mountains and valleys. rivers
and lakes, temples and towns, were
out of the ordinary.
There was not a duh moment in the
entire lecture and DR.. Iyenaga was
frequently interrupted with laughter
at some of his witucisms, and applause
at many of the rhetorical clinaxes he
reached In telling of the abilities of
the jinrikisha men. those fellows who
act the part of horses in hauling two
wheeled vehicles. DR.. Iyenaga said that
they were able to tote a passenger ten
miles an hour ''if he is not of the size
of your Secretary of War Taft or the
ordinary American policeman" Talk
ing about the fauna in Japan, the lee
turer said. that about the only wild
animals there were bears, wild hoars
and deer. There are bears aplenty
in Japan" he added, land they might
invite the attention of your President
Roosevelt after he has killed all the
bears in Colorado.
It was such remarks as these. inter-
spersed throughout the entire lecture
which made much for its success. Hav-
ing given a general idea of the phys
zeal conditions of the country as a
sort of foundation for the lectures
Of the course 1t is likely that the sue
ceeding ones will be more interesting,
IL such a thing could be.
Dr. Iyena ga s second lecture will be
delivered on Monday night next. It's
subject will be The F'eudal Regime
and Society of Japan" It was origin
ally planned that these lectures, six in
all should be given on the Wednes-
day evenings of each week from now
on and this plan viii be followed for
all of the weeks except the next one,
owing to the meeting Of the district
federation of women's clubs which Is
to be held here on Tuesday and We'd
nesday. DR.. Iyenaga is delivering the
same series of lectures in the Un1ver-
sity Of Chicago extension course at
Kansas City, Leavenworth and Garth
age No.