The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-09-20

populated that II needs to expand to find
elbow room. Wehave the Japanese census
figures for 1ool-05 before us. end q COM
parison with those OF other countries by
no means supports this view.
"In 1901 there were 81 marriages q
thousand inhabitants, and In 1905 there
were rs. The average marriage rate for
the five years was s.2-in other words,
no higher han that Of Germany in 1909
and much lower than that Of Russia,
Hungary. Servia, Bulgaria and the United
States.
"In 1904 the births In Japan numbered
34.4 a thousand Of the population; that
is, only slightly more than the correspond
ing figures for Germany at that time and
much fewer than for Russia. Hungary
and Rumania. The figures became in
subsequent years s2.4, 9O.4 and sos, this
last figure being below the birth rate Of
most European States save that Of Scan
1~inavia. England and France.
"The death rate In Japan was 21.2 in
1901 and 2l.0 in 1905. as compared with
a death rate in Germany of 1872. Japan
therefore makes q bad show 80 far as
the excess Of births over deaths is con-
oerned. sven though nc account be taken
Of the large proportion Of children born
dead.
"In 1901 the excess of births was 1871
a t~housand-a figure less than that OF
Germany. Scandinavia and European
Russia. That excess has since diminished
steadily to 9.a a thousands figure only
paralleled in Austria and France.
But even these figures make Japan's
situation appear moro favorable than
it really Is. for Japan has sti1 far and
away the greatest proportion Of still
births. For 1904 and 1905 the number Of
stillborn children was e.s and 80 respect
lively a thousand Of the population,
whereas in Germany the proportion was
only 8 a thousand. and the highest
European fi~gure-that OF Francois not
more than half Of the japanese rate
In j. K. Jerome's new play. .The Pass
ing Of the Third Floor Back Forbes
Robertson. the heavenly stranger Of
the piece, his arrival by three
knocks on the front door. Several critics
mentioned these three solemn knocks"
and apparently thought that some rel-
gious symbolism was attached to them.
As a matter Of fact Mr.. jerome simply
intended to use q little local color. making
the lodger describe his position topo-
graphically In the house. But Jerome
himself goes wrong ia this. In England
the house starts with the ground floor,
the story above which Is the first floor,
and 30 forth. In houses such "a the
author describes one knock Is used for
the ground floor dwellers, or parlors,
as they are sometimes called; two knocks
are used for the first floor or drawing
rooms, and three knocks are for the SEQ
ond floor. Mr.. Forbes robertson should
therefore give four knocks or be described
as the second floor.
The London pawnbroker knows the
arrangement we'll, and when taking
down the address Of q person pawning
an article will ask:'How many knocksf'
meaning. Which noorf
A writer on society matters has espied
a note Of novelty in the opening autumn
season.
"An the women Of classic type-and all
who imagine that they are.' he sage,
ARE wearing their hair in the newest
modification OF the Greek style. The
hair Is divided at the forehead and carried
In waves to the right and to the left, thus
framing the face with t~resses. and there
after 1t Is carried back over the head
and coiled neither on the head nor in the
nape Of the neck, but exactly midway.
Il am told that to get the coil In the
right position In relation to the habitual
poise OF the head calls for inexpressible
nicely OF judgment and manual dex-
terty. Be that as II may. the style IL
very beautiful when those who practise
II possess a Grecian regularity Of feature
and luxuriant locks.
But II does no quite suit hat type Of
loneliness the sweetness Of whose dis
position Nature has most unkindly denied
by the gift Of a pugnaciousS tip tilted
nose
News Of the latest thing in musical
prodigies comes from Berlin. The Ber-
limos, aged 0, s and 4. and playing the
piano, violin and ~violonoello. having con-
ouered the Kaiser. are considered certain
this winter to take London by storm.
The mother. a German by birth.
married an American and lived in New
York till her husbands death. She then
returned to Berlin for the sake Of her
children's musical education. -.
The general intendant OF the royal
theatres having heard Of them induced
the Kaissr to send for them. Baby
Clarence. a Born democrat. gravely ga
luted the Emperor with a Good day. dear
brother" to which the Emperor replied
with a hearty laugh.
He IVES 90 impressed with their per-
Torrance on piano. violin and cello that
he commanded them to appear before
him for a second recital, and sfterward
presented the mother with 1900 marks
and offered TO her free Of cost the Royal
Opera House for their first public con-
cert. which 10 to take place next session.
In addition to this he gave them free
admission TO the Royal High School Of
Music, where they will receive further
musical instruction.
1t appears that snails, one Of the
traditional table delicacies OF France, are
becoming extinct, Many reasons ere
given for this.
Meat Of the snails come from vineyards
and the spread OF phylloxera among the
vines hes necs ssitated a constant sprey-
ing Of them with e chemical solution
~ L.