25 JUNE 1904, Page 41

An En g lish Girl in Japan. By Ella M. Hart Bennett.

(Wells Gardner, Barton, and Co. 3s. net.)—Miss Bennett introduces us to a number of interesting and agreeable acquaintances. She found the Japanese very pleasant, as every one finds them, but she had the discernment to doubt whether foreigners are "alto- gether beloved in Japan." And she had a notable experience which seemed to show what good Japanese society, at least as far as the feminine half is concerned, really feels. She was in the country while the war with China was going on. Every house was closed. The ladies were "not at home." When the men came back from the front the ladies reappeared as pleasant and smiling as ever. But their real temper, Miss Bennett thinks, was that shown by their seclusion. Still, she was de- lighted with her experiences, and it is pleasant to read about them. It is pleasant, also, to read about the faithful Chang,' her Chinese dog, about the brown bears, 'Paul' and Virginia,' and other humble friends.