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142 The following is a letter sent in reply to one addressed by a foreign resident to the district office in Tōkyō, notifying the birth of a daughter:—

"China" having been set as a theme in a Tōkyō school, one student disposed summarily of the hereditary rivals of his race by remarking that

"Chinese gentlemen adjourn their tales and clutches so long as they are able. The people are all liars."

Another young essayist was more diffuse, and let us hope got better marks:

Here is an old man whose body is very large; he is about, four thousand years of age and China is his name. His autobiography tells me that he was born in early times in Eastern Asia. He was a simple baby smiling with amiable face in the primitive cradle; and as a young man, he progressed hopefully. When he was full grown he accomplished many bright acts; he married a sweet lady who conceived the beautiful children of the arts and sciences. But by and bye he became old, lame, blind and decrepit.

I must feel sorry for the sad fate of an old teacher or neighbour of mine. Why his gleamy grew gloomy? What compassion I feel for him!

There are many smokes of the opium but not holy blood of the cross.

The England which occupied of the largest and greatest dominion which rarely can be. The Englishman works with a very powerful hands and the long legs and even the eminenced mind, his chin is so strong as decerved iron. He are not allowed it to escape if he did siezed something. Being spread his dominion is dreadfully extensive so that his countryman boastally