Japanese Letters. Eastern Impressions of Western Men and Manners, as
contained in the Correspondence of Tokiwara and Yashiri. Edited by Commander Hastings Berkeley, R.N. (John Murray.)—The first glance at this volume will remind the reader of the lively and humorous letters written by Lien Chi Altangi to Fum Hewn ; but he will be disappointed if he expects to find in it the charm of Goldsmith's "Citizen of the World." Neither the youthful traveller Tokiwara, nor the friend of mature age who writes to him from Japan, has much sense of humour. They can touch nothing lightly, and the larger portion of what they have to say might have been written with a few slight alterations by an English man of letters. Yashiri, who belongs to the old school of Japanese politicians, deplores the abolition of the " Happy Despatch," and dislikes the clever young man of Young Japan, and the growth of Western ideas and fashions ; while Toki- ware, after some slight descriptive efforts, suggested by his visits to London, to Paris, and to Rome, appears to be more at his ease in discussing such abstract subjects as the basis of morality, political economy, the contrast between the religion of Protestants and of Roman Catholics, the use of capitalists, and the National Debt. Now and then he has a good word to say about art and fashion ; but as a whole, these letters are more sensible than entertaining. A fruitful subject has, it is to be feared, been spoilt in the handling.
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