Tar present insurrection in Japan, serious as it ins undoubtedly been, seems to afford a prognostic that matters in that country are gradually settling down on their new basis. It could scarcely have been expected that so thorough a revolution as had been effected could have occurred without oscillations of public opinion, and the causes which have led up to the present rising show that such has been the case. In fact, looking upon the insurrection in this light, we are disposed to imagine that it augurs a period of tranquillity, and a final settling down in new grooves, rather than permanent danger to the porce of the country. There seems little doubt that the Government has itself been more or less blameworthy in its dealings with the old Samurai. They accuse it of breach of faith towards themselves, and it certainly is difficult to altogether acquit it of the charge. Doubtless, it was compelled by financial difficulties not altogether of its own making to make some struggle to protect the State from impending bankruptcy; but on the other hand it had, as the price of the submission of the military class, made with it certain definite arrangements, It therefore seemed unreasonable that on that class alone should be imposed the burden of whatever means were necessary to restore public credit, The Government pleads that it has adopted in all other branches economical reforms, and doubtless this is actually the case; but still these changes are hardly compatible with the enforced offer of a commutation in place of a stipulated annuity; and the consequence is that the class, feeling itself aggrieved and holding that it was a party in an agreement with the State, has refused to accept the terms dictated to it. Fortunately for Japan, both sides have confined themselves to the point of quarrel. It is distinctly one between the Government and the old Military class. Both have announced that they intend to push their opinions to the utmost in the field, but that they do not seck to upset the stability of the Empire or to drag the people at Invge into the vortex. Hence has arisen the curious spectacle of a civil war where ench side has been fighting bravely and determinedly, and yot private property and public rights have been scrupulously respected. In this point of view the movement is one in the highest degree creditable to the Japanese, and shows that, with all their restlessness and anxiety for change, they are still actuated by a profound desire to maintain the position and dignity of the Empire. In such a con-ion of affairs we can afford to sympathise with both si Bach has, or thinks it has, wrongs to remedy, and they have decided to submit those wrongs to the only tribunal which seemed possible, that of arms. An insurrection which is not successful is, of course, after all only a rebellion, and as such must be put down with a strong hand. When, however, the arbitration of arms has decided against it, the circumstances which led up to it, and the actions of those who controlled it, may well be taken into account; and we may hope that the instincts of the Japanese will incline theta on the one part not to persevere "in a contest after success is plainly impossible, and on the other hand, that judicious leniency will be much as possible exercised. Taken in connection with other insurrectionary movements, we may well praise the conduct of the Japanese. Had the Parks and Bulgarians determined to settle their quarrels on similar principles, we should not have heard much of the "Eastern Question." If the Chinese in similar difficulties, had observed the attitude of the Japanese, half the Empire would not now have had to Inment the devastation of its soil and the destruction of its inhabitants. We need have had no tales of cruelty at Tali or Manas, nor need Yunnan and Shensi have been conyerled into uninhabited wilde.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.