PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION
The following sketches of life in Japan and the voyage there and back are taken from a diary which I kept during my travels.
As Japan and its wonderful little people have come so much before the world during the last few years, and especially at this time are one of the chief factors in the crisis in the Far East, I thought that these reminiscences and anecdotes taken from real life might be of interest.
I am indebted to the editors of theCornhill,Sketch,Sunday, and theBuenos Aires Standardfor the reproduction of some of the following sketches.
ELLA HART BENNETT.
1904.