The Ainu of Japan. By the Rev. John Batchelor. (Religious
Tract Society.)—The Ainu—not Aino, it should be observed—are the aborigines of Japan (ainu means " man; " wino, " mongrel," the dominant race scoffing at their subjects as of half-human, half-bestial descent). Their habitat is Yezo and the Kourile Islands (another branch of the tribe is to be found in Saghalien, but it is only the subjects of Japan that are treated of in this book). Mr. Batchelor has lived much among this people. That they are dirty and drunken, he confesses, still, he thinks well of them,—"a more kind, gentle, and sympathetic people it would be difficult to find." A very interesting account it is that he gives of them. They are not by any means savage, though some of their habits ill-agree with civilisation. Their manners are elaborate ; they have legends; and they have—so, at least, Mr. Batchelor affirms, though Miss Bird denies it—a religion. But, then, he has lived with the people for years, and found out by degrees their inmost thoughts ; while the lady, acute and observant as she was, only knew them from without. The progress of Christianity is slow among them; still, progress is made. Their numbers are decreasing. The Japanese Government endeavours to protect them, but is baffled by the sale of intoxicants by Japanese traders.
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