New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-03-30
THE JOHN BULLESSES
What a Japanese Artist Thinks
of Them.

MISS JOHN BULL b. Yoshio MARKING
author of "A japanese Artist In Lon
don" Illustrated by the author. Emo
m. 16e. The Houghton Miff1in Company
In this volume, which in the English
edition Is called MY Idealed John Bull
esses," the sprightly japanese author
has set down his impressions of English
women. As little boy in his own coun-
try he had delighted in chrome picture
Of a beautiful English girl a foreigners
gift TO the paternal MARKING. II was the
first thing Of the kind that the village
had known, and when hung on the wall
il attracted the worship not only of
small Yoshio, but of all the other VII
layers, who were continually coming with
the entreaty: please honorably allow
us a glance upon that honorable foreign
young lady" Some of these good peo-
pie would exclaim, Gould it be possible
that such a beautiful woman is existing
i'm the same world where we liVe?" and
the proud owner Of the chrome often
said. Il am glad we haven't such n girl
in our village, or else whole villagers
would be turned into insane through the
girl" The child, who was accustomed
TO bow in homage before the picture
whenever he approached 1t, grew up
with a high ideal of the fair Westerners
firmly fixed in his mind, and he assures
us in quaint Japanese English that his
life in England has more than confirmed
his precOnceived admiration. Some John
haantif1l than
that beloved piCture-and then they have
such wonderful intelligence and Sweet
sympathy" He appreciates the unseen
timcntal friendliness and frankncss Of
an English woman as many observers Of
her own race do not.
II was with particular interest that
the japanese studied the question of
marriage. which in his own country is
arranged by the parents, and it was
with Amusement he perceived that with
the English freedom Of choice the plain
looking girl of gentle nature is as fortu-
nate as the beauty in attracting a good
husband. He thinks II is the specially
of John Bullesses to make Sweet Home
when they become wives" He remem-
bers that in Old Japan wives were loyal
and dilgent, but that charm and educa-
ton Wherewith to brighten domestic life
were missing. John Bullesses them
selves" he says. do the duty Of house
wife, well educated scholar, as well rs
great entertainers"
Perhaps the Japanese wives are sweetest
TO think of smallest details 10 please their
husbands. but 1t is the John BullesseS who
really become the practical assistance to
carry out their husbands ambitions. They
are like those strong stone columns which
are keeping the big dome so digniticd nigh
up IN the sky. For the John Bullesses have
far broader minds.
Ii Is an almost general rule in Japan
that men never tell about their business
On have much narrower minds. therefore II
the men disclose all their intention To their
wives the latter often discourage the for
mer. Al least Tia, japanese women could
not be any good assistance for that pur-
pose Whereas the John Bulle~ses arc
quite different They carry out their hus-
bands viii indeed they are nw'ullr good
companions for politicians, business men
and foI everybody Sometimes the wives
arc leading their husbands. IL is the John
Bul,C.scs HhO can make their home life as
steady as the rocks Il they do not caro-
= bout tiny things 10 please their husbands
every minute.
YoshI MARLIN" l~ finn believer in
suffrage for the Jobu Rulcss. We ara
no longer primitive" he says we are
no longer baby humans he dNe ellis