Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-05

tied resources-a difficulty which Is only
beginning to be lessened by industrial
openings abroad-seems 10 have retarded
not a little the passing away Of the
cramped mental habit OF old. The present
Japan may indeed have SO improved i'm
this regard in recent years as TO appear
almost strange land to the Japanese or
half a century ago or to the Korean OF
today. An American who does not relish
even the rather innocent gossip OF the
New England town, ard feels at odds
with the narrow-mnded social thinking in
some countries of the old world, would
be annoyed in Japan by the way in which
every slight success excites unmerited ap-
plause from some and inevitable jealous
les from others. by the re diness with
which the native mind moves along small
artificial channels OF thought and feeling.
and by the petty criticisms and intrigues
by means of which not few seek 10
climb the ladders OF life. 1t would seem
singular. but II Is a natural result OF
their historic training. that the same peo-
pie who have shown themselves to be ca
pable at critical times OF the utmost sacri-
nee and OF an absolute national unity
should in their daily struggle OF life al
low their minds to run into old grooves
that neutralize the growth OF open CO.
operations and manly conflicts.
The Ckigumo (Floating Clouds) by
Hasegawa tnom de plume. Niyotei Shi-
med appeared in 1SS7-Ss, and has been
development OF individual characters Is
the theme. This plain story, told deli
cately in a simple prose style. may per-
haps be cited as an illustration. though
not quite az adequate as one would wish
OF the points we have been discussing.
Uchimi. young official who early lost
his parents and has. since he was nfteen.
been living with his uncle In Toxic, falls
in love with the latter's daughter. who Is
vain and light hearted. He is. however.
tv,ao I'm m a NJ
ners that the chief Of the bureau under
whom he has been serving places him ON
the list Of men to be discharged AT once
the aunt. who was formerly a professional
singer. and has seemed kind enough 10
Uchimi. begins to make II manifest to him
that his presence In the family - unwel-
come and that he should not hope to-
become her son-in-law. One OF his for
mer colleagues, Honda, smooth-tongued
youth, who Is q favorite OF the chier
official, now frequently visits the house.
ingratiates himself in many ways with
the aunt and her daughter, and skillfuliy
plays upon the wounded feelings OF
Ochimi, who Is detected and growing pes
simistic. One day the latter has a heated
dialogue with the daughter. "Oh. yes,
says she at last. II like Mr.. Honda. but
what Is that to you?" =
Side by side with the limited mental
sweep of the people. one will discern the
survival OF some old customs and institu-
tions II the former may be considered
a potentiality inherent in the average
Japanese, the latter are organs through
which the nation habftually performs us
functions of life. or these old survivals,
the most persistent and powerful are per-
haps those of the family The trainers of
the new civil code Of japan. which has
been largely derived from European laws:
have shrunk from making as bold
changes, or introducing as novel provi-
sions, In the family law as they have In
other parts Of the code.