JAPAN AND JAPANESE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 918, 17 June 1903, Page 3

JAPAN AND JAPANESE.

'There was a good attendance at the Theatre Royal last night, when the Rev. W. Gray Dixon gave a very interesting and instructive lecture on Japan and Japanese. His Worship the Mayor presided.

Jdev. Gray Dixon, who was attired in a Japanese costume, was received with applause. Ho gave a graphic description of the country ; its coast lino was something similar to that of New Zealand, only that it was moro luxuriantly wooded. “ The nearest approach to the beautiful mountains of Japan is the scenery of the Wanganui river,” remarked the speaker in omphasing the extremo beauty of the Islands comprising the Japanese Empire. The boauty of the trees in that country was superb, and botanists had suid that there were twice as many trees in Japan as in the whole of Europe. 1<

'our-fifths of the country was 'orest, and still they had a population of 48,000,000 people. Japan led the way in being one of the most beautiful countrios in the world, as it had more vegetation. Tho speaker wont on to relate some of the historical facts in connection with Japan, and showed that it was 2500 years ago siuco the first Emperor had ascended the throno, who was considered a semidivino person, and resided in solitary confinement in his palatial residence.

'ew persona had the privilege of seeing His Majesty in those days. Ho went on to show how things differed nowadays, and said that he Pad had the honor of b

eiug one of tho first Europeans introduced to ills Majesty in academic dress. Continuing, the speaker dealt with tho chivalry, art and literature. The country was culled the land of sunrise, and had been largely vulgarised by her prosperity. If commerce Had gone up their romance went down. Their printed books went buck as far as the oightu century, and their poetry was of the highest order. In the Japanese were found a poople of chivalrous and high cultured nature. Ho thon gave an illustration of their national pride, and of their sell-sacrificing bravery. The revolu-

Cion of 18t>8 abolished Che feudalism which existed, aud New Japan commenced, reaulcing m Che land becoming nationalised aud cue gates of Che country opened to commercial work. The speaker dealt at some length upon tbeir love for learning, their customs and modes of living, from tho highest to the lowest in the land, The Japanese were a vory polite race of people, and were particular as to the observance of etiquette—that is, to say a lot about others and a little about oneself. Tho speaker concluded his most charming and vivid lecture of that country in the Far East with the manner in which visitors were received, and the numerous anecdotes connected therewith, which caused much amusement.

The Rev. Mr Chatterton, who has had the pleasure of being in Japan, proposed a vote of thanks to the speaker for the excellent, way in which he pictured the country. He had perhaps the advantage of others present, and he felt that he was breathing Japanese atmosphere on account of the vivid picture painted.

The Rev. Mr Paterson seconded the motioD, which was carried with acclama-

The Rev. Mr Gray Dixon, in thanking those presont for their courtesy, congratulated them on their flourishing town. He said beforo he thought of coming to Gisborne he had heard of it and of their minister, the Rev. Mr Paterson. He congratulated tho Church, which he said was in a flourishing condition. A vote of tbanks to the chair concluded the meeting.