in writing. Seneca speaks of "daily divorces,” and tells us of noble born women who reckon their years, not by the number of the consuls, but by that of their husbands. Juvenal speaks in an epigram of a woman who had eight husbands in five years, Martial, another writer of the time, says: "Who marries so often, marries not at all; she is but an adulteress." Tacitus, the great historian, speaks of the magna adulteria (the enormous adultery) of the time. Vice generally among Roman families had reached its lowest depths during the first centuries of the Christian era. Allowing as much as we can for the possible exaggeration of satirists, the picture represented is a sufficiently appalling picture of the home of eighteen centuries ago; the sober sentences of Tacitus tell the same story as the satire of the poets.

THE GERMAN HOME FOURTEEN CENTURIES AGO.

Nor was the German Home, brought into Europe by the German tribes when they overwhelmed the Roman Empire, very much more ideal. It was a thousand times purer, but the woman was a slave rather than an equal; she was bought like any other property. The husband was not allowed to put out the eyes or break the limbs of his wife, but in nearly every other way he was absolute tyrant. All sins and errors of the wife were severely punished, but the husband could be faithless without redress.

THE CHRISTIAN IDEAL.

Into the midst of such homes as these sprang the Christian Church, with its magnificent ideal of personal purity for man as well as woman, inherited from its Founder. It was no mere ideal of asceticism, though, not unnaturally, the fearful corruption which it found did lead in certain quarters to exaggerated teaching which disparaged even marriage. It was an ideal which covered the married life as well as the unmarried. Christ Himself had set the highest value on marriage. In this single instance had He departed from His usual custom by giving precise and definite rules. The man was to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and "they twain were to become one flesh." "Whosoever therefore putteth away his wife and marrieth another committeth adultery, and whosoever marrieth her that is put away committeth adultery."

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a long time the Christian Church could do little but hold up as a witness to the demoralised world around her the pure family life which could be lived within her fold. The Church carefully excluded from communion all who had any connection with licentious sports, and so powerful grew the new feeling of purity that even obscene statues in public places were forbidden by law. When Justinian says "We enact, then, that all persons shall preserve chastity, which alone is able to present the souls of men with confidence towards God," we see how strong the influence is becoming.

LAWS MODIFIED BY CHRISTIANITY.

To attempt to trace the struggle of the new spirit with the old would be to trace the history of European legislation. To chivalry, the direct offspring of Christianity, woman is indebted in the middle ages for a position she had never before enjoyed in history, and if we analyse the elementary principles which make up the happiness and sanctity of our homes to-day, we shall find them to be purity, loyalty, and self-sacrifice, which compose the central message given to the world by Christianity as a rule of life.

If we look at other religions, we find polygamy permitted under Mahometanism, and infanticide. freely practised in China, where Buddhism and Confucianism hold sway. In no quarter except

under Christianity do we find the true "home."

PERMANENCE OF THE HOME DEPENDENT ON
CHRISTIANITY.

To sum up, then-" Whatever position woman holds," if we may quote the words of a forcible writer, "is clearly a fruit of Christianity. Even should by evil chance agnosticism at length become for a time the creed of the world, Christian traditions would long survive. But if after the lapse of ages all men and all women should live 'without God and without hope' in the world, and the Christian Gospel be as a long-forgotten once welcome sound of Sabbath bells heard in a dream, and reverence for anything supernal have faded away, and the ties of earth be but the accidental bonds of beings soon to disappear, and the unselfish living for others an altruism to end in nought in a few days, then will woman become but as a weaker fellow animal, with no especial respect encircling her, and perhaps will herself lose the purity and sanctity which made her under Christianity the object of so much reverence."

1 "Gesta Christi” (Brace), p. 299.

A

MONG the many organisations for the benefit of special classes which have arisen within the last quarter of a century not the least interesting is that of the International Christian Police Association which was begun simply and quietly with a small membership in the house of a Christian worker, and has now spread not only over many portions of our own land, but has branches in the Colonies, in Canada, and the United States.

Its foundation is entirely unsectarian and nonpolitical; its object, the benefit spiritual and temporal of the members of all Police Forces and their families.

Its headquarters and publishing office are situated at la Adelphi Terrace, Adam Street, Strand, London, where there is also a Police. Institute on the same pattern as the Soldiers' and Sailors' Homes and Institutes which have proved of much benefit to our Army and Navy. Connected with the Association there are also various Institutes in different parts of the country: a Convalescent Home for Police at West Brighton; an Orphanage for the Children of Provincial Police at Redhill, Surrey, and another Manchester.

at

One of the most interesting features of this

Association is that its members are united in a Missionary Union, and are now supporting five representatives on the Mission field, four being supported by the Association in England and Scotland, and one by the Association in connection with the Royal Irish Constabulary.

Of these five missionaries or evangelists one is working in China, two in Japan, one in Ceylon, and the remaining one in Africa.

It was partly in the interest of this Association and Missionary Union that the writer of the following notes, who had been connected with it since its commencement, undertook a journey round the world, in company with another lady also a friend and fellow-worker in the cause. Many opportunities were presented to the travellers for loving service, both among the various Police Forces and in other departments of Christian work, but the pages now published entirely concern a country to which our attention has been often turned of late-that empire of marvellous capabilities and wonderful progress-Japan.

It was early morning when our white Empress steamer anchored in the bay of Yokohama, and we felt glad that the voyage of thirteen days (fourteen

by the calendar as one had been dropped out) had come to an end. The harbour was shrouded in mist, and an extraordinary din and confusion reigned on board as the coolies moored their "sampans” alongside and swarmed up the vessel, descending again with huge boxes and bundles on their backs, shrieking and chattering till one could not hear oneself speak.

We had to scramble across two boats before we could reach our own, and it seemed a wonder how the luggage ever arrived safely, and was stowed in the flat bottom of the sampan. On landing, we, with a number of fellow passengers, were subject to a custom house inspection by very grave though youthful-looking officials. They passed most of our luggage, but seized on my poor harmonium, which they seemed to consider very precious.

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Their

We next had our first introduction to a jinricksh 1. We soon found that many go quite as fast as an ordinary growler." Some are drawn by men in single file, tandem, and run round the corners as quickly as a hansom. Many of these men run from forty to fifty miles a day. Their ordinary charge is ten "sen" an hour, but that is not worth more than six cents of American money. constant running wears out the heart, and their life is generally a short one. They live almost entirely without meat. They eat fish, eggs and vegetables, but their staple food is rice. They are for the most part a happy lot of men, always cheerful, and if they grumble at their fee (which they often do, especially if you pay them more than the legal fare), they are ready to make a low bow immediately after and go away laughing.

They, like all Japanese, are a reading people. A "Jinnicky" man will sit down whenever he is waiting for a fare, and read. There are plenty of them. At all the principal corners and public buildings, there is a jinricksha stand, and the "foreigner" who happens to pass it on foot is at once besieged, and has three or four immediately trundling after him each one with more profound bows and pressing offers of service. To those who do not know the language this is decidedly embarrassing.

The day after our arrival we paid our first call on a police inspector to whom we had a note of introduction. On reaching the station where he lived, we were received at the door by a Japanese man-servant who knelt on the floor and bowed till his head touched the ground. He said the inspector was not well, but he would take in the note and cards, and though we protested he went off with them. Presently we heard a bustling and carrying of chairs about, and the servant appeared again to say that his master wished to see us, so we went in, first sitting down on the step, and taking our shoes off. This is absolutely necessary in Japanese houses unless they have "foreign rooms for the reception of visitors. The floors are covered with beautifully white soft mats (Tatami) and a Japanese lady told us that if we were to walk on them with thick boots or shoes she would feel just as we should if any one walked over our sofas and chairs in muddy boots. After more bowing we were conducted to a little room covered

with mats, and a sort of matted platform a foot high, round which they had elaborately placed five old-fashioned chairs for our benefit. A Japanese room has no furniture and no ornaments.

Then our host appeared, and was profuse in his bows and polite words, "Deign to honourably sit," etc., etc. He sat down on the edge of a chair, looking rather uncomfortable, and almost immediately clapped his hands. This was the signal for tea, for the servant came in with a little tray and five of the sweetest little cups of very greenlooking tea.

Then we talked, Mr. White, who with his wife accompanied us-the agent of the English and American Tract Societies-kindly interpreting and answering the inspector's questions. I gave our host a volume of our police journal, the "On and Off Duty," and showed him our photographs of the London Police Institute, Seaside Home, Orphanage, etc. He seemed greatly interested. Before this he sent for a young man who knew a little English, and he came and seated himself comfortably on the floor. This was infectious, so we descended from our dignity, and managed to squat around the platform. The inspector seemed greatly relieved. He then sent for some books of pictures to show us, and presented us with a little compass beautifully finished, which he said had been inade from his own design, and some other curios. last we left, the three (the inspector, the young man, and the servant) bowing till their foreheads touched the ground. At the entrance we replaced our shoes, and the leave-takings were again renewed, bows being exchanged with " sayo nara (good bye) and "ire, ire, arigato" (many, many thanks) on our part. The young man walked with us to the gate. Mrs. White interpreted our little talk. He said he would think earnestly of what he had heard, and would read of Christ, and when I told him that Jesus loved him, his eyes glistened, and he said earnestly that "he was very glad indeed to know that."

At

During our stay in Tokyo we met with many of the police. Some were introduced to us by a young ex-policeman, who has since become " our own missionary" in Japan. Some came to visit us in their off-duty time and held informal meetings, at one of which it was decided to start a and Prison Warder's Mission," in connection with the Scripture Union, and affiliated to the International Christian Police Association.

"

Police

We met others of the police in the temples, where crowds of poor benighted worshippers, some dimly seeking for peace and comfort, some satisfied and well content with the externals of their own ritual, were bowing down to idols of wood and stone, bringing their offerings of rice and flowers, paying money to their priests to write. further prayers on paper, which they then screwed up, chewed, and literally spat out at the huge image of Kwannon, the Goddess of Mercy, trusting that she would signify her acceptance of the prayer by graciously causing the paper to stick to her wooden person. "You do not belive in these gods?" was asked of a thoughtful-looking policeman, who accepted a Scripture portion in the temple grounds. "No," he replied, "I have been

to your worship house. I will come again, but," he added, "I do not know what to believe."

The police force of Japan is a large and wellorganised department, constructed on the French model. The Japanese in their desire for perfection have borrowed a little from every civilised land. Their navy is à l'Angla 'se, and any one dealing in naval matters must speak English if he does not know Japanese. Their military system is German, and consequently all interpretation must be in that language. Their medical school is also on German models. Their post office is American, and their police department, administration of justice, and the like, as aforesaid, are purely French.

The department is centralised, the police all over the Empire being directly under the control of the Home Office, while they are locally supported in part by the different provinces and cities which have the benefit of their services.

The population of the Empire is about 41,000,000, and the proportion of police is reckoned on the average as one to 1000 of the inhabitants in the country districts, and one to 600 in the cities, making a total of over 40,000. The actual strength of the force however is said to be 38,000.

In Tokyo, the ancient Yedo, which is the capital and seat of Government, the earliest force of "Watchmen was organised by "Kawadzu" (the first chief of police in Japan), on his return from Europe nearly a quarter of a century ago; but the police force was established on its present footing twenty-one years ago. It has now a strength of 3474 (221 chief inspectors and sub-inspectors, and 3253 constables, or Junsa). The fire department is also under police control.

:

The general superintendent has a salary of 4000 yen (about 4501.) per annum. The chiefs of city forces receive about 1400 yen; inspectors, of whom there are eleven classes, from 900 to 180 yen constables from 120 to 84 yen, that is from 10 yen (17. 18. 8d.) to 7 yen (15s. 2d.) per month. Uniform is provided and light refreshment when on duty. After ten years' service a policeman retiring is entitled to a pension of 30 yen, about 31. 5s. per annum, increasing by 5 yen in each subsequent year. If a man is incapacitated by injuries received on duty he gets 30 to 40 yen a year. On a policeman's death, the widow receives about 250 yen (271. 18. 8d.), by a collection among the men, and 100 yen (about 101. 168. 8d.) from the Government, besides funeral

expenses.

For the slender remuneration mentioned above a large amount of service is expected. The ordinary city policeman is on duty every other day for twenty-four hours. Eight of these hours he must stand in front of one of the little boxes, or "kobancho," of which there are 338 in the city of Tokyo. For eight hours he must patrol a certain district, returning to his "kobancho," and during the remaining eight he may sit or lie on a bench within the inner room of the "kobancho" ready to be called upon at any moment if required. Six policemen are attached to each box, three by day

and three by night, so that whilst one is resting a second is on fixed-point duty in front of the box and a third is patrolling.

On his off duty days the policeman is partially employed in making inquiries, serving summonses, filling in census papers, or carrying out one or other of the forty-two separate and distinct duties which he has to look after. For a policeman in Japan is supposed to know a little of everything and take a paternal interest in everybody's affairs. He must repeat to his superior officer all the rumours and gossip of his district, give account of meetings of every kind, religious and political, and keep an eye on all newspapers printed or sold. He must tabulate the people of his district into three classes, A, B, and C, and make a correct census and report upon them several times a year. He must report the condition of all streets, bridges, embankments, drains, cemeteries, etc.; give notice of accidents, nuisances, diseases, deaths; keep a watch over the quality of all milk, meat, and vegetables sold; and report on lost children, doubtful characters, gambling, drinking saloons, pawnshops, markets, fairs, weights and measures, funerals, festivals, runaways, physicians and midwives, foreigners, and their passports, and all kinds of theatrical performances and gatherings of the people. The yoshiwara, or district to which legalised vice is confined, has a special number of policemen appointed for its control, so that the remainder are perhaps more free than in our Western cities from contact with the ruined and debased classes of society, although the open toleration of such a district must be a disgrace to any civilised community.

From the foregoing account it will be seen that the policeman's little note-book and pencil which he shows on parade and is ordered to carry in his right-hand-side coat pocket, must be in constant requisition. He also carries in his pocket a whistle, and a long cord with which he carefully ties up any prisoner arrested, securely fastening his hands and arms, and leaving an end free which he holds as he marches his captive to the station.

A Japanese policeman seldom has much difficulty in making an arrest. He is invested with all the majesty of the law; and to the Japanese, law is supreme. It is almost amusing to see him holding a solemn court in the street to settle some dispute between the inhabitants. The surrounding crowd shows no disposition to the ridicule and banter which is so trying to the temper of the ordinary London "Bobby." With the utmost gravity he examines the parties interested, notes down the information given, and finally pronounces his decision, which is generally obeyed without question.

This absolutism strikes the foreigner all the more because the policemen are usually youthful in appearance and small in figure. Five feet two inches is the standard height, and twenty-one is the minimum age for entrance into the Force. A recruit must be of good character and physique, and must pass a satisfactory examination in reading, writing, and arithmetic, history and geography, and must show some knowledge of penal laws and procedure.

Each city has its police school, where for two months the young recruits are instructed in the police code, and in the arts of fencing, wrestling, and boxing, which in Japan take the place of drill.

The dress of the police is very neat. In summer (from June 1st to October 10th) they wear white tunics and trousers, and white puggeries over their caps; and in winter they wear a dark cloth uniform with gilt buttons, and caps with goldcoloured bands, inspectors wearing silver-coloured bands instead of gold. For bad weather they have long dark-blue cloth overcoats, loose cloaks with capes and large hoods, which, when drawn over their caps, give them the appearance of a monastic order. They wear swords, except in the open ports, where the riotous foreign sailors make the danger of an armed fracas a reason for giving the constables only clubs. Every policeman receives minute instructions as to his deportment, the position of his hands when standing, sitting, etc., and the length of his hair, which "must not be more than two inches in front, nor seven-tenths of an inch on the neck."

The police are for the most part recruited from the old Samaurai, the feudal class of past ages, and for the most part they appear to carry out the code of honour handed down to them from generation to generation. They are an intelligent, determined and courageous set of men, well disciplined, and said to be above corruption. An Englishman told us that having had several extra services from the police, he on more than one occasion offered them rewards of money (being ignorant of their rules on the subject), but in each case the gift was indignantly refused, and one man took off his cap and pointed to the badge on it, to show that, being a servant of the Government, he could take no fee. A traveller who had lost his bicycle offered 21. reward, and when the police found it he sent this sum to the station; but it was at once returned to him, and when he insisted on its acceptance it was put into the police benefit fund as a donation. Towards the public their conduct is generally most praiseworthy. All the Japanese are polite. Even when crowding round and staring at a foreigner they do it politely. But the policemen are, as a child once said to us, "politer than polite." As strangers, ignorant of the language, in our walks and jinricksha rides about the city, we often had recourse to the help of the "Junsa," and were always struck by the painstaking courtesy and the perfect gravity with which even ridiculous attempts at conversation by means of a phrase-book were received. We also visited many of the police stations, in some cases without an introduction, and were everywhere received with civility.

our

We heard high praise of the police for their courage and devotion during the cholera epidemic. It was their duty to go into infected houses and take the sick from their beds to the hospital, and also to remove the bodies of those who had died of this awful disease. We were told by an old inhabitant of Tokyo, that they never flinched from this trying duty, but carried it out not only faithfully, but for the most part kindly and tenderly.

There is in Japan a complete system of secret police; and one bureau at the Department of Police in Tokyo is devoted to receiving and classifying the details of suspects collected by the detectives in different parts of the country. Every circumstance of the suspected criminal's life, past and present, is systematically hunted up and arranged in a sort of catalogue for reference when required. "In Tokyo alone," we are told by a recent traveller, "are the dossiers, or complete records of 150,000 criminals, admirably arranged, like the latest device of American library cataloguing."

A good deal of the foregoing information we gathered during a visit to Mr. Sonoda, the general Superintendent of the Tokyo police. Having a

kind letter of introduction from the secretary of the British Legation, we called by appointment early one morning at Mr. Sonoda's house, and were shown into a large "foreign" room, that is, a room furnished with carpet, table, and chairs. Mr. Sonoda is a fine-looking man, with a keen, piercing glance, and a kindly and polite manner. He is said to be a firm disciplinarian, and has had much to do with bringing the Force to its present state of efficiency.

First, "English" tea, much sweetened, was served in tiny cups, and then an interpreter arrived a young man who had spent some months in Paris. Following the rule I have mentioned, this interpreter knew only French besides his native tongue, and we soon discovered that it was not etiquette to employ any other language in dealing with police matters. Our French being a little rusty, especially as regards statistical and legal