To the same.
Boston, 1878.
I have three times been to such lectures as are given in the afternoon.
One on “Japanese ways” entertained me much.
It was by Professor Morse, lately returned from Japan.
He said he was struck with the peculiar cleanliness of all persons, and all places, in Japan.
Their tea houses, or restaurants, were scrupulously neat, made cheerful by a few bright pictures of birds, or flowers, and ornamented mottoes from Buddhist Scriptures, such as “Forgive all injuries ;” “Speak ill of no one,” etc. “When I came back to our depots and restaurants,” said he, “and saw on the walls, ‘Beware of pickpockets!’
and coarse pictures of pugilists, I thought that we might learn some salutary lessons from Japan.
But they are an extremely courteous people; they are too polite to send us missionaries.”This hit brought cordial applause.