we are not too critical, that they had been taking lessons from the light-hearted and musical Italians.

males in the higher schools, the females are
instructed in the use of the needle, and also
in those subjects which are of immense bene-
fit to those who may subsequently have the
charge of families, or may become mothers.
From their training we may well suppose

As far removed as are the Japanese from our civilization, there are several particulars wherein they make considerable approach toward it. Upon the subject of education that the females are highly proficient in the they have bestowed a more than ordinary duties and labor appertaining to the housedegree of attention. They have their pri- | hold. mary and also their high schools. In the former their youth are instructed in their national history, and in reading and writing. For those who constitute the lower orders this amount of mental culture is considered,

Among whatever people education may
be diffused there will, of necessity, be found
a literature and literati. The literature of

this country embraces nearly the same
range of subjects as our own, and the dif

amply sufficient. What must be regarded as ferent productions in this department are
worthy of commendation is, that the govern- declared to be decidedly meritorious. Among
ment has long been endeavoring to diffuse, their writers, or authors, either as poets,
to this extent, education throughout the en-moralists or historians, are found the names
tire nation. It is unquestionably true that! of several females.
in regard to the universality of education,
and the general information, the Japanese
are not behind their neighbors of China.
The additional branches taught in the
higher schools are the science of morals, as
understood by them, the different forms of
the national etiquette, and arithmetic, togeth-
er with some other branches. These schools
are instituted for the education of the higher
orders. In obtaining a knowledge of the
first rudiments, all orders resort to the pri-
mary schools. All their youth are consid-
ered to be sufficiently educated at the age
of fifteen; and at that age the days of boy-at
hood terminate, and manhood commences.

While in some important particulars the females are denied the benefit, and the rights enjoyed by the males, yet in the matter of education they are admitted to equal privileges. It is positively affirmed that the minds of the females are cultivated to the same extent with the other sex. One advantage, at least, arising to the former from their training must appear in this, that though they are by law deprived of all legal rights, and are made too much the mere creatures of the man, yet they are conscious, and the others also are conscious, that intellectually there is no inferiority.

The learned men of Japan, unlike those
of China, avail themselves of every oppor
tunity to learn from the Europeans. They
are particularly desirous of being informed
in regard to all late discoveries in Europe,
in the sciences of medicine and astronomy,
these being the only sciences cultivated
amongst them; and whatever presents may
be made to this class of persons, none are es

teemed so valuable as some new scientifle
work from the Dutch press.

From the facts here presented it will be
once apparent, that this country has pro-
duced those, who were intellectually in ad-
vance of their age and nation. This class
wherever found are invariably a national
blessing, though they are but seldom ap-
preciated by those they aim to benefit; a
subsequent age and generation are required
to do them justice. They are silent revolu-
tionists, dissatisfied with the present and as-
piring to have the future of a different, and
a better character. They are public bene-
factors, seeking to impress upon the publis
mind such thoughts, and such facts, as shall
conduce in some particulars at least, to the
good of the people. In unenlightened na-
tions this class generally constitute a band

In addition to the branches taught the of martyrs.

1

Thus is it in Japan; there are found the ly reposed in them, and which they esteem names of those, who saw that the secluded to be sacred. Illustrative of their fidelity and iron spirit by which they were controlled, was as inimical to the public welfare as to the advancement of learning; and acting upon their convictions, they fell martyrs to their own noble efforts.

we will present an instance, which, in all probability, has not fallen under the observation of many, and which entitles the heroine to the consideration of every virtuous and honorable individual. A number of It is a peculiarity of all heathen nations, years since, a nobleman who had lately been that their females are essentially in a state married, was under the necessity of leaving of oppression. It is true their oppression is home, to attend to business. Another noby no means uniform, as the different his- bleman, whose offers of marriage had been tories of those nations clearly teach; and if rejected by the lady, determined in the abamong others, there are found those who sence of her husband, to seek his vengeance bear a heavier yoke than the females of this by dishonoring her. To effect his object, he nation, yet are these far from being in as ele- repaired to her residence with such a retinue vated a condition, as are those of Christian of servants, as would render all resistance lands. That they are not the objects of a on her part unavailing. Having by this distrustful scrutiny, or jealous seclusion, will means accomplished his wretched purpose, be apparent from what has already been the injured and insulted female immediately said; they are allowed a degree of freedom determined to obtain satisfactory redress.→ and enjoy an amount of confidence, which Hiding under a bland exterior, the deep others among the orientals do not. But, as feelings by which her soul was stirred, she we have before stated, they are divested en-induced the nobleman to remain in the vifirely of all legal rights, and to such an ex- cinity until the return of her husband. On tent is this the case, that they are prohibit- the day on which he had anticipated returned from giving testimony in the courts of ing, the lady prepared a sumptuous enterjudicature; and though the wife may have tainment, as expressive of her attachment, ever so just a reason, yet she can obtain no and to welcome him to his home. A general divorce against her husband; while on the invitation was then given, embracing not other hand, he may be divorced from his only their immediate friends and relatives, wife at his own option. The severity and but he who had robbed her of her honor, toinjustice of such a law brings with it, how-gether with his associates. The repast was, ever, some degree of mitigation in the fact according to the customary usage, spread upthat he is required to maintain his repudia- on the house-top; and when the company ted wife, corresponding to the sphere in gathered around, so cheerful and animated which he himself moves. But when the was the circle, that there seemed to be none separation is made on grounds, which the who did not enjoy the interview. But one proper authorities consider sufficiently satis- heart was brooding over its troubles, and factory, then is the husband exonerated from dark thoughts were resting there, and strong maintaining her. Among other sufficient determinations were being formed. Sudcauses for divorce, as we are informed, is the wife's failing of having children.

denly there was an interruption-that trou

bled female had risen to her feet. She be

Before we close our remarks with reference to the females of this nation, we would state, to their commendation, that they are noted for their high regard of virtue. An unfaithful wife, or flagitious female, is not deprived of her honor, and easily found. Historians attribute this, to her was more sacred than life. chiefly to the confidence which is universal- asked what punishment ought to

gan the history of her wrongs by stating, that there was then in their community a woman who, against her own will, had become the victim of another, and had been that which

She then

fall upon

that suffering woman. As might be sup-head, who was to be worshipped as the

posed, the common sense of justice led the source of all that is pure—of the redemption company unanimously to assert, that no of the world by the son of a virgin, who punishment whatever ought to attach to her died to atone for the sins of the human race, --that the woman was the mere victim to and who, through his death, procured for the brutality of the man; but that he who them a happy resurrection. From this it had been guilty of the act, deserved the has been supposed, that at that time chrishighest punishment the law could inflict.- tianity was introduced among its inhabiWhen this public decision had been pro-tants. Others have supposed, and probably nounced, the lady replied, “I am the woman, with more truth, that this was merely a and there sits the man to whom I owe my Brahminical sect, the features of whose faith dishonor. I pray you," she continued "take thus closely resembled the doctrines of revemy life, that the shame of having suffered so lation. infamous a wrong may not stain other and happier women; that one degraded as I am may not be found among living men."

Solemnly did those present remonstrate against such an idea, and her husband added his kind assurance of unabated affection. But the unhappy wife could not be reconciled to her condition. Her purity was stained, and her desire of life was gone. "Will no one" she enquired "punish my dishonor."“Then must I,” she added, "do it myself, and only pray and enjoin you to avenge me." As she uttered these words she cast

The first well attested account of the introduction of Christianity into Japan,is that under the labors of St. F. Xavier, A. D 1549, who with the true zeal of the Jesuit, desired to see the whole world brought under subjection to the Papal sce. Here he labored for two years and a half; and though he had but little success in his labors, he yet succeeded in laying the foundation of an extensive community of Christians. For many ligion, as expounded by the Jesuits and years after its introduction, the Christian reothers, flourished in the empire. Indeed it may be questioned whether in so short a period, any mission could be reported as being so successful as that in this nation. Not only were the missionaries treated with the utmost civility, and permitted without could boast, that in the brief space of thirtyrestraint to preach to the people; but they six years, at least 200,000 persons had embraced the Christian faith, while 250 churches We cannot, in justice to our own feelings, dotted the land. And amongst this host close our article without adverting to anwere numbered nobles, generals, courtiers other topic, which,to us, is of great interest and even princes. The reigning temporal That the Japanese need the tranquilizing in- monarch looked approvingly toward it, and fluence of the christian faith, every judicious cultivated a friendship with its teachers.and reflecting mind will admit. They need He had even gone so far as to exclude pait, among other reasons, in order that they ganism from a city he had newly founded.— may have a better governmental basis; they So strongly did the popular will run in their need it in order that they may possess a bet-favor, that the Jesuits anticipated their reter civil code, and a purer civilization.

herself headlong from the housetop, and immediately perished. Instantly did her friends endeavor to avenge her wrongs and her death, in the destruction of her lover; but he and his friends had already reached the street, and as the mangled body lay before him, he laid violent hands upon himself and perished with her.

ligion would so far supersede that of the It is related upon good authority, that nation, as to become the established faith about A. D. 50, there was introduced into But by degrees, and from different causes, the this nation, a sect, which inculcated the doc-hold it had gained upon the mind of the trines of a trinity of persons in one god- reigning Ziogoon became weakened; his

jealousy was excited, and his suspicions revolted province, were the first sufferers, and then, with an energy not to be resisted, with a fury not to be appeased, the work of death went forward. In order to strike terror to the minds of all, the most refined species of torture were called into requisition. The test of abjuration was the trampling upon the effigy of the Virgin Mary and the infant Savior, and those who refused were immediately put to death. So deeply implanted in the affections of the native christians, was their religion, that, out of the vast number who had embraced it, but few, comparatively, were found to take the test.

of the ulterior designs of the missionaries were awakened. In 1587 he ordered every foreign teacher to leave the country, and imperatively demanded the return of the native converts to the religion of their fathers. Though the flames of persecution were then first kindled, they did not effectually check the progress of the rival faith. Many of the missionaries remained, in opposition to the imperial mandate; and many accesdions to the christian ranks, continued to be made. Accordingly, we find that, at the commencement of the 17th century, there were nearly half a million who had turned from the native superstition, and become

christians.

peru

The storm of persecution so beat upon that host, that, in a few years after, not one remained. They had melted away before the devouring tempest. Their sufferings and afIn the year 1615, a usurper ascended the flictions were unparalleled. We have been throne, and in the contest which had ren-accustomed to look back to the days when dered him successful, he had encountered the Roman tyrants sought the overthrow of the opposition of the Jesuits and the native the religion of Messiah, as days without a converts, who, either from necessity or of parallel in the christian era; and when we choice, had espoused the cause of the weaker read the page which records the calamities party. With the spirit and temper of the of the infant church, we turn from its despot, we may form some conception of the sal with an instinctive shudder. But greater feelings he would entertain towards them calamities were endured by the christians of and their religion. As he regarded it hos- Japan; and the time will undoubtedly artile to himself and his government, he deter-rive, when the thrilling history of their sufmined upon its extinction. Those who had ferings and martyrdom, will be familiar to embraced it were required to recant; and every general reader. sanguinary edicts were enacted for the deWith its martyrs, fell the entire christian struction of those who refused compliance.-fabric, and the echo of its overthrow struck These edicts, however, were not enforced to terror throughout papal and protestant christhe extent we might presume they would have been; and it is not improbable, that, if ■ strictly judicious course had, from that time nward, been pursued by the adherents to Christianity, and the Europeans, that toleration, at least in some form, might have been extended to the new religion.

A rebellion breaking out in 1637, in a province where the christians were most numerous, rekindled all the rancor and animosity which had, for a short interval, been partially slumbering. The policy then decided upon, was the immediate proscription and expulsion of foreigners, and the extirpation of christianity. The vanquished in the

tendom.

From that period, there has existed, on the part of the Japanese, a deep-rooted national hatred to the christian faith. And in order that it may be effectually excluded from amongst them, and this hatred be perpetuated, the trampling upon the picture of the Virgin and her Son is instituted as an annu al ceremony. So necessary is it considered to participate in this ceremony, that even diseased invalids and tender infants are made to place their feet upon it, and, if pos sible, are required to be present.

We were long accustomed to consider Chi na amongst the most, if not altogether the

Zintoos. They believe in a one Supreme Being, and hold not only to the immortality of the soul, but to future rewards and punishments. The virtuous are considered to THE REPUBLICANISM OF LITERA

it birth. And we see it with this self-activ Brahminism, which is far more idolatrous ity, ever groping among hidden mysteries than the other, has, many ages since, found and seeking for unrevealed principles. There its way to this nation, and has numerous ad- is a tendency in our thinking, sentient existherents, chiefly, however, amongst the lower ence, to search out truth, and in the search, orders. It is looked upon with an eye of to act without coercion, and without reapprobation by the government, for the rea-straint. There is a tendency in our nature,