The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-02
From the Washington Times.
1 HE rules laid down by Confucus " are as closely followed in their

1 HE rules laid down by Confucius !" are as closely followed in their
 family life by the Japanese as by the Chinese, and ancestors and parents are no less worshped
 Out of respect for their parents the married Japanese remains in his parents house after he is married, which often places the young wife in a rather un- envable pistion especially if her hus- band Is an adopted son. Every family having no sons always adopt at least one boy to provide for the parents when they have grown old, and to bring the neces- sary offering after their death. Women are, however, much better treated in Japan than in China. at least is this true of the better classes, and in the cities. In the country she is still considered a beast of burden. and all work is per- formed by her
 Childlessness is a just cause for di- vorce, and a divorce is altogether very easily obtained by the husband; never theless, most married couples seem 10 live very happily Every girl is taught from childhood that her chief duty is to obey and please her husband
 The Japanese women are very affec- tionate, and as rule very much de. voted to their husbands, and thoroughly understand the art of showing pleas ant face under all circumstances.
 As everywhere else in the world, the political influence of women is consider able in Japan, though 1t is perhaps not as evident as in European countries. In former days, however, female politicians were quite numerous.
 As a mother the Japanese woman is in- comparable. She always nurses her own children, and her love of them is bound less Japan Is real children's paradise; the little ones are treated we'll by every body, are always kept clean and tidy, and, in spite of f1ther being given free play, are remarkably we'll behaved
 From the very first they are taught self-control. I remember one day l saw a boy of probably four years fall, and though he hurt himself quite badly, he only smiled at me and then ran behind a bush and cried when he thought no one could see or hear him. Japanese does not show his emotions when they are painful. lie Will lauSn lneIIhy dl the sight of hts house burning down. and my interpreter, who had studied medi- cine for some years with the most cheer ful smile told me, when I asked him why he had given up studying that he had to do so because flood had ruined his father
 Self-denial and self-control are counted as the highest virtues. and lack of these is taken as a sign of poor training and ill-breeding, or at least as impoliteness toward others.
 Everybody knows the old custom of hara-kara. or more correctly seppu<u, but less we'll known is the fact that in cer- tain cases it was committed not only by men. but also by women of gentle birth.
 Seppuku was committed to wipe out tie stain of crime or to restore loss of hcnor, but it was also committed as sacrifice for others to induce them to mend their ways.
 Thus a faithful knight Killed himself because his master refused to give up his habits of dssips tion. and in reward of his sacrifice a temple was built for the knight on Tolxio.
 Although seppuku Is now forbidden by