remembered that such a proud, hypersensitive nation is ever desirous of
displaying its independence, and is consequently averse to appearing
to solicit help or sympathy from the outside. A gifted Frenchman, a
true friend of Japan, the late Félix Régamey, several of whose spirited
pictures of Japan are reproduced in this History, and who did much
to gain sympathy for that country amongst his compatriots at a time
when they were little inclined to extend it, said to the writer: “It
would, indeed, be a pleasure to help the Japanese, but they will not
let one help them.” It is noticeable that this coolness towards foreign
sympathy is usually coincident with a period of national elation,
consequent on the victory of Japanese arms or the obtaining of some
solid advantage by Japanese diplomacy.
Reviewing impartially the good and the bad points of the Japanese
national character, one must come to the comforting conclusion that
its faults are likely to disappear, or, at least, to be considerably
attenuated in the future, as Japan enters more and more into the active
life of the family of nations. The pressure of the public opinion of
the vast majority of civilised mankind must exercise a beneficial
influence in bringing the Japanese gradually into line with ourselves
where the points of view are still too widely divergent to admit of
cordial co-operation between them and Occidentals. The virtues now
pre-eminently Japanese may, indeed probably will, suffer to a certain
extent in the process; it is the writer’s firm conviction that enough
of them will remain to enable the Japanese to accomplish the glorious
destiny towards which they are marching. Their patriotism, their
valour, their thoroughness, their wisdom in matters of national moment,
are of the virtues that make nations great.
ARTHUR DIOSY
[Illustration]