Tue September number of Blackwood contains a brief but well written paper on. Japan. It opens with historical summary, and closes with some intelligent remarks as to the future of the Empire. The earlier part of the article seems largely drawn from Dr. Dixon's work, and does not contain very much that is new to readers residing in the East. © sre eased The four periods into which the History of Japan is divisible are distinctly characterized. The first may be said to begin about 570 B.C. and to extend to 1548, when the Portuguese landed. The second period extends from 1543 to 1638, and comprises the story of St. Francis Xavier, the trade with Portugal, the persecutions, and the final expulsion of Europeans; the third period, from 1638to 1854, is distinguished by the Dutch monopoly and the resolute exclusion of all Foreigners; in the fourth period Japan has once more become accessible to everybody. These are convenient landmarks to bear in mind in considering the present state of this singular people, and if we group these facts, read their significance aright, and take up the various links of the chain of events, we shall be able to understand the present and to conjecture about the future. Tt is the portion of the essay which deals with the prospects of Japan that we turn to with most interest, though we are not inclined to admit the major premiss of the argument, viz., that "the example of Denmark in the hands of Prussia, presents some analogies to the situation of Japan towards the nations who condescend to trade with her on their own terms, without much care for what she likes or wants."
We grant, however, readily enough, that the next Treaty made with the Island Empire should recognize the new aspect of affairs, and should express the profound and hearty sympathy of Western nations with the progressive and enterprising spirit which animates the Mikado's Govern ment. It is obvious that the speed of Japan in the onward path will be regulated by the course taken when the next Treaty is signed. The writer in Blackwood is anxious that the Mikado shall not be indirectly weakened by finding his subjects hampered "by obligations to respect Foreign Laws when Foreigners are concerned.
"The honour of Japan in her own eyes, the prestige of her Government towards its subjects, are somewhat dependent on an early modification of the stipulations which at present deprive her of all jurisdiction'in her own dominions in cases where Foreigners sire concerned." But the problems to be solved in Japan are far higher than those which result from the adjustment of claims, or the "harmonize authority of two jurisdictions. We have to see how a people, whose first sovereign was a contemporary of Nebuchadnezzar and Tullus Hostilius, will adapt themselves to all the requirements of modern times. The Japanese Ambassadors will find themselves fronting a world discontented with old forms, and striving to find political solutions in various revolutionary changes. The Eastern Empire has been remarkable for its disregard of all timidity, and for the ease with which it has assimilated the institutions of the West. The simple question is, will the Japanese' know when to stop? Will they copy the safer and truer course of that conservative reform, which retains all that experience proves to be good in ancient usages, or will they rush into extremes and "Socialism and an Eastern Inter. national?" The writer of the article before us has @ remark pregnant with significance as the peroration of his essay. He is ready enough to believe that levelling tendencies may do their work, but he has a good hope for the future, of the Land of the Rising Sun, Speaking of the possible experiments the Mikado's Government may try, he says "None of this, however, is to be feared at present; years must pass before any real damage can be done and poss bly Japan may find out the secret, which France has vainly sought for during eighty years—how to change the whole tendencies and objects of a nation, without simultaneously destroy. ing the convictions and the principles which make it one and strong."
The extracts we have given indicate sufficiently the importance and interest of this paper, and if it induces our readers to peruse it for themselves, we are assured they will glean many valuable hints from it.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.