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with the old condition of things. Books on medicine and geography and similar subjects had come to their hands—political books were rigorously suppressed—and had given them longings for wider development. The Shogun had forced upon him the necessity of opening the country. There was, however, a strong conservative feeling against such a course—very much as had in the old days caused the killing of some thousands of Jesuits and native Christians. The desire on the part of the Shogun to open the country largely contributed to his downfall, and the coming of the restoration to the Emperor of his full power. The Emperor, with great foresight, decided upon opening the country, and also determined that the systems of education of the Western world should be adopted, so that Japan could learn enough to beat the foreigners on their own grounds, and thus preserve their country for themselves.

It was, however, about thirty years ago when the greatest attention was paid to education. The first Imperial University was founded, and many schools were started. It was fixed by law that all children must attend school on reaching the age of six. Throughout the whole country a clear sweep was made of the old education system, and new schools took its place. Although it is impossible for education to develop very rapidly, most satisfactory results were obtained, and at present over 85 per cent. of the children attend schools.

One great difficulty which at once confronts the student is the fact that Japanese literature is developed along Chinese lines, and is bound up with Chinese literature. It is therefore necessary for them to learn Chinese as well as Japanese characters, and to study Chinese classics. It must be remembered that, besides this, they have to learn at least one foreign language. Another difficulty exists in the difference of the written and the spoken languages. Whereas the first-mentioned difficulty is common to many new countries, the second is peculiar to Japan. Originally the written and spoken languages were nearly identical, but owing to the influence of Chinese literature the written language became more Chinese, while the spoken remained Japanese. At the present moment the written language is a mixture of Chinese characters and the Japanese alphabet. This is still so; and thus, when a lecturer addresses his students, these cannot take down his words, but have to write a special treatise on the same subject. The physique of the Japanese people is not as good as might be hoped for, and this must be attributed to the years of peace and ease preceding the Restoration. This difficulty of the difference between the written and spoken languages is a serious tax upon them, and duplicates their work. So much time has to be spent in study that it is impossible for them to have