May 25, 1901.1
REVIEW.
Japanese Plays and Playfellows. By OSMAN
EDWARDS. London: William Heinemann. DECORATED with twelve coloured plates by Japanese artists, Mr. Osman Edwards's volume is a very handsome volume Handsome volumes on China or Japan are not, of course, rare; but Japanese Plays and Playfellows is a far better book than the majority of these. In actual time, the author only spent six months in the country, but he had studied the language with native teachers previously, and was at least well-read in the literature about Japan. He concluded from his studies, he tells us, that theatrical matters had been less fully described than any other, and therefore devoted most attention to them during his stay in Japan. Like so many European travellers in the Islands he pays also no little attention to the subject of Japanese women. In fact he apolo- gises to "austere critics" for so doing. Those who do not suffer from austerity, however, will find nothing to blame in Mr. Edwards's treat ment on the question. It is refreshingly frank and free alike from flabby sentimentality and from cant—a welcome change, indeed, from the writings of the ordinary globe-trotter. The scope of the book can perhaps be fairly judged from the chapter headings, which are follows:--"Behind the Scenes," "Religious Plays," "Popular Plays' ""Geisha and Cherry- Blossom," Yalgar Songs," Taking the Waters,' Playing with Fire," Calls," and "The Scarlet Lady." The opening "Afternoon chapter does not, as might be thought, deal with stage affairs, but mainly with the relations of Japan with the rest of the world. As a sensible and well-written exposition of affairs we can commend it. Mr. Edwards does not shut his eyes to the unpleasant side, as put forward so strongly and so frequently by the European resident in Japan. the concluding paragraphs of the chapter in one of question he says:
"
In
8.8
"I have taken a bird's eye view of the Japan- ese as they appear to the resident alien, because his protesting voice is generally drowned in the joyful ejaculations of passing travellers. have put aside for the moment my own pre- possessions, which were only strengthened by Intercourse with natives of every class, in order. that the dark side of the shield might not be veiled. Dishonest traders aided by tortuous enactments, and mistrustful teachers, suspicious of Western propaganda, insubordinate inferiors and incompetent officials all these constitute grave stumbling-blocks to happiness. But it would not be fair to ignore the facts which promise a brighter fature. Then are many firms whose integrity is unquestioned, many journalists who try to stem the current of national misunderstanding by gagacious counsel. Experience and greater knowledge are sure to prove wholesome correctives. The anti-foreign bias, though real and formidable, is based on the fear of half-understood eventualities. Closer intercourse and wider education will cause wisdom to spread down from the rulers to the ruled, who are not yet on familiar terms with our conceptions of trade and government."
With the lighter portion of Japanese Plays and Playfellows we do not propose to deal at length. The book is one which must be read to be appreciated properly, and quotation cannot do it justice. Theauthor treats gracefully the sub- jects on which he touches, and under the charm of things Japanese he does not descend to the gush of the hurrying tourist. He has produced an excellent work quite the most entertaining which we have read on the subject of Japan for long.
We are indebted to Messrs. Kelly & Walsh for the copy of the volume under notice.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. WATSON'S MINERAL WATER FACTORY.
A MODEL ESTABLISHMENT, and feeling rather thirsty, we told the perspiring Returning from West Point on the 22nd inst., rioksha puller to "man-man," and strolled into Messrs. A. S. Watson & Co.'s mineral water factory for a "cooler.
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observed to Mr. Davidson, the genial manager “Fair-sized building you have here," we of the concern, as we sipped a deliciously cool lemonade.
34
to have a look round?”
Pretty fair," he returned. "Do you care
volunteered to act as guide.
We assented, and Mr. Davidson kindly
manufacture their mineral waters is a large The godown in which Messrs. A. S. Watson one, fully 365 feet long and about 6) feet broad. Along each side of the white-washed walls, and about fifteen feet distant from them, which support the raftered roof. runs a row of square pillars, also whitewashed, of open windows on both sides of the building A number admit a current of air refreshingly cool in contrast to the stifling heat outside.
NO. 1 ROOM,
497
with the up-country and outport trade, and at the top a staff of carpenters is kept busy mak- ing racks and cases for the reception of the bottles.
NO. 3 ROOM;
ber of coolies are employed in the checking of In this division of the godown a large num- returns from outport trade. Upstairs are dry- stored all the hundred-and-one things con- nected with the business of the factory.
80, and is under the direct supervision of Mr. The factory employs a Chinese staff of about Davidson. Everything about the whole place A. S. Watson's mineral water factory at is kept thoroughly clean. In a word, Messrs. West Point fully deserves the title of a model establishment.
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS.
letter, forwarding to H.E. the Governor the From H.E. Major-General W. J. Gascoigne's report of the Commandant's report on training of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps in the 1900, we make the following extracta :— of the Corps has attained the highly creditable I am glad to see that the numerical strength total of 366 of all ranks; a strength that I hope may be maintained, but, I think, need not be increased.
specially useful work in assisting the Royal "E," the Engineer Company, has done Engineers in working the Electric Light In- stallations. Major Mould, R.E., speaks very but of others he says they have put in very few highly of the attainments of some of the men, attendances and require more training. As very highly trained men are required for these point of maintaining a superior standard of duties, I hope that the Company will make a
training. efficiency in this branch of technical military
tion for a range was made, and I may say that, was at the disposal of the Corps. No applica- The Commandant states that no Rifle Range
him, for I hold that volunteers should be pro- if made, a range would have been allotted to ficiente in rifle-shooting.-A Revolver Range is situated near the Racquet Court, and could application had been made for it-I hope that very easily have been made available if an next autumn Stonecutters' may be at the service of the Corps for its Annual Camp of Instruction.
No. 1 Room is the factory proper, and practically the whole business of the godown is presents one great scene of busy life. Here transacted. The water from which the minerals are manufactured is forced into a pressure from a marble-lined tank into a steel super- filter, and runs through two coils of piping saturator. The water is all the time charged with ice, but does not come into direct contact tion, small though that risk may be, is totally with the ice, so that risk of possible contamina- avoided. From the supersaturator the water is carried into a metal cylinder driven by steam to the pressure required. This cylinder, which is London, is capable of keeping eight automatic the patent of Hayward, Tyler and Company,
Room are placed two generators for the making bottling machines going. At the top of No. 1 of gas, and one large gasometer. One of the generators has been in use for three years, and it was erected. The manufacture of syrup is is in as good working order now as on the day also engaged in at the factory, and on an eleva- tion at the upper end of No. 1 Room, on the opposite side from the generators and gas ometer, are stored rows of large jars containing the syrup, all carefully stopped with wooden side of a passage, stand the bottle-washing covers. In the centre of the room, on each and bottle-corking machines. The bottles are thus washed automatically, and each one is carefully examined to ensure that it is perfectly clean before it is handed over to an atten- dant to be filled. As to the bottle-corking machine, the coolie has simply to feed it. The steady in the ranks; the arms clean; the cloth. The parade itself was good. The men were machine bottles and corks at the rate of being of uniform pattern; and the movements tween eight and nine bottles a minute, and keeps a second coolie constantly engaged in fixing on wire. Occasionally a bottle bursts, by iron guards fixed to the machine. At the but the attendants are protected from injury machine for filling stopper bottles stands a with both hands covered with leather gloves to worker with his head enclosed in a mask and protect him from similar possible injury. In No.
Room great racks have been erected for the storing of the minerals after the bottles are labelled, this latter operation keeping about a dosen coolies continuously employed. flooring of this room, as is that of the others The is of concrete, and along it run a number of drains which effectually cleaf away the waste | water accompanying the manufacture of the
minerals.
NO. 2 ROOM.
am glad to say that the numbers attending At the parade for my Annual Inspection, I were good, an increase over that of last year, fact that there were too many "Absent with- although I had again to call attention to the
these absentees had left the Colony, either out leave." I nnderstand that the majority of permanently or for a few months. In either case leave should have been applied for.
executed showed a marked improvement over the two previous occasions when I have in- spected this Corps. I am satisfied that the to show that it is a reliable factor in the defence Corps has taken itself seriously and is anxious of the Colony.
"D" INFANTRY CO.
The monthly shoot of the above Company was held at Kowloon on Sunday last. There was a good attendanos of members. Lieut. Skinner scored his first win on the "A" Class like success in the "B" and "C" classes. Cup, Privt. Gillings and Privt. Auld having respectively. The following are some of the scores:~~
Here is erected a four h.p. Tangie patent | Lieut. Skinner engine for the supplying of the mot've power
• Privt. Horley According to a dispatch from Shanhaikwan to the machinery in No. 1 Room. The engine Privt. Watson to the Asahi, administrative officës have been has been in use for many years, but the care | Capt. Forbes established by the Russian authorities at Harbin, expended in keeping it clean has left it to-day Kirin, Mukden and Honchun, with branches at in as good working order as when it entered Talien. Hinking, and fourteen other places. the factory. Three large cement-lined brick The directors of the offices are army officers, filters of the old style, working on an unique who are provided with civil and military staffs, drip system, are built into the wall, and are The authorities have also issued some new utilized when that step is rendered necesELTY regulations for the collection of taxes. This is through the cutting off of the supply of water what is called by the Russian Government frous the main. Each filter in capable of hol quietly awaiting the course of events,” a | ing fire foot of water. Further up the ongiz Japanese contemporary suggests.
rocus is conducted the packing work
*
CLASS,
200 500 600 Handi. To- yds, yds, yds, esp. tal.
22 27:33
28 31 80
26 35 29 25.25
B CLASK
-12-94
2291
unl
8817 882357
19
· 2001· 500° 600 1768
·28 52421
Privt. Gillings Privt. Macpherson | #14 Privt. Ferguson
Privi. Auld Capt. Lochead
19:25
218 19:4915
200 300 600 Total. 249) 1956.
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