Chapter V

Some observations on peace prospects--Discussion on Anglo-French-Russo-Japanese _entente_--Russian views of the Japanese--Discussion on religion and Japan--Japan and the International Conventions--The meaning of religion--General Nogi--A high-priest on Japan and Russia--The Japanese conception of death--A quotation from an old book on Bushido--The notion of the name--Further remarks on the Russian views of the Japanese--England and America--The outbreak of the war--A wanton project of the Russian admiral restrained by the French admiral--Discussion on the Yellow Peril and Pan-Asiatic ambition--Japan not a small country--French poor in the caves--Paris by night--Sir Stamford Raffles and his appreciation of Japan ninety years ago --Patriotism and France--_La France, c'est le pays de mon cœur_--A romantic and tragical story--Discussion on Socialism and Japan--England and America--Discussion on the word 'Revolution'--The Great Change of Japan in 1867--Its political and social effects--A comparison with the French Revolution--Discussion on unity and continuity of authority--An anonymous pamphlet--Discussion on the relative position of the French Nationalists and Socialists with regard to Japan--French thrift

VI

The age of the Japanese--Ito and Inouyé--Intermarriages--Commander Hirosé--Some abuse of the Japanese nationality--The climate of Japan--Chrysanthemums--Japanese rain--The two great currents--How Japan developed--Summer resorts of foreigners--Spring and autumn --Picnics--Sports--A letter by an American--Pastimes of the Japanese gentry--Description of the Japanese chess and the game of 'Go'--Description of Japanese cards--Poem cards--Flower cards--Pierre Loti--Public baths--An interview on common and military education in Japan--George Washington and Nelson--The cause of Russian defeats according to the wounded