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The lecturer remarked that Oriental life is surrounded 

 by such a halo of mystery, fiction, and travellers' twice 

 told tales, that a true picture has been rarely given by 

 the travellers or stock book-makers. A very large amount 

 of printed material relating to Japan exists, but the bulk 

 of the later works are simply reprints or compilations from 

 previous ones. 



The residents, as a rule, in far distant lands, rarely 

 enter very deeply into the language and literature of the 

 people among whom their lot is cast. It is like having 

 to cross unknown lands to reach a far distant mountain ; 

 the beauties of the extended view are as yet unknown. 

 The ignorance and jealousy of the natives form an almost 

 insurmountable difficulty to the foreigners trying to gain 

 an insight into the inner life of the people. 



The lecturer alluded to the charm and attraction to 

 those who persevered in the exploration of these grand 

 hitherto untcodden fields, for the toilsome journey is fre- 

 quently relieved by rays of poetic beauty, glimpses of 

 artistic design, brilliant and grotesque coloring, interest- 

 ing legend, and sketches that show a deep knowledge of 

 human nature, and of astute and refined capabilities. 

 Quaint humor, terse proverbs, ready wit, are found. 

 When the meanings of conventional allusions and fre- 

 quently occurring sketches are met with, the study is 

 most attractive, and the literature and art are appreciated. 



Japan since the days of Marco Polo was from time to 

 time brought before the world by attempts to reach its 

 fabled shores. The age of adventure started by Polo's 

 book was followed by one of discovery. All these at- 

 tempts at discovery were surpassed by that of Columbus, 

 who, in trying to find the Zipanga of Polo, reached this 

 continent. 



The lecturer said he should present some points on 



