loving FATHER.

[Illustration: A Rich Chinaman's House.

(From the photograph by J. Thomson, F.R.G.S.)]

* * * * *

22. A LETTER FROM JAPAN.


1. MY DEAR CHILDREN,--Once more I have made a long sea voyage, and once
more I am safely on shore. I am now in Japan.

2. The Japs live on islands, just as we do. They are brave and clever
and busy, and they have many fine warships. Because of all these things
they are sometimes called the Britons of the Far East.

3. Most of the people in the East are very backward. They have stood
still while the people of the West have gone forward. Not so the Japs.
They have learnt everything that the West can teach them. You will see
in Japan all the things on which we pride ourselves.

4. The Japs are first-rate sailors. Some of their captains learnt to be
sailors on board our warships. They are also fine soldiers. You know
that not many years ago they beat the Russians both by land and by sea.

5. I like the Japs better than any other people that I have met in the
East. Many of them still wear the dress of olden days, and keep to their
simple and pretty ways. Their country is beautiful, and they love