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Perhaps the lack of a word for "nature" is a strength. For does not the word "nature" In our Western tongues serve to conceal, and therefore encourage, confusion of ideas? When we talk, for instance, of being "inspired by nature," what precise sense can be attached to the phrase? Sometimes "nature"—especially with a big N—is a kind of deistic synonym or euphemism for the Creator, who becomes "she" for the nonce. At other times it denotes His creatures. Sometimes it is the universe minus man; some times it is man's impulses as opposed to his conscious acts. Sometimes it sums up all that is reasonable and proper; sometimes, as in theological parlance, the exact reverse. The word "nature" is a Proteus. It stands for everything in general and nothing in particular,—impossible to define, and serving only as a will-o'-the-wisp to mislead metaphysically minded persons.

Books Recommended. The foregoing article is founded chiefly on the late Dr. Wm. Anderson's great work, The Pictorial Arts of Japan, which, with its companion work, the Catalogue of Japanese and Chinese Paintings in the British Museum, is probably still the best authority on the subject. Brinkley's Japan and China, Vol. VII. devoted to "Pictorial and Applied Art," is also authoritative. Failing these expensive works ( 8), see the same Dr. Anderson's earlier History of Japanese Art, in Vol. VII. Part IV. of the "Asiatic Transactions." The other chief book bearing on the subject is L'Art Japonais, by Louis Gonse. Very important, too, is Professor Fenollosa's Review of the Chapter on Painting in Gonse, printed in the "Japan Weekly Mail" of the 12th July, 1884. No one genuinely interested in Japanese art should fail to get hold of this elaborate critique, wherein is pleaded, with full knowledge of the subject, the cause of the Japanese old masters as against Hokusai and the modern Popular School whom Gonse had championed. A Japanese Collection, by the well-known collector, Mr. M. Tomkinson, is, we believe, a beautiful, though expensive, work including articles by eminent specialists and a dictionary of Japanese myth and legend. Japanischer Humor, by C. Netto and G. Wagener, gives the explanation of great numbers of art-motives, chiefly comic, with delightful illustrations. It is not easy to recommend any of the briefer and cheaper books on the subject. Perhaps Huish's handy little volume, entitled Japan and its Art, may be mentioned. See also Artistic Japan, a now extinct illustrated journal, edited by S. Byng and to be obtained in volume form.

Asiatic Society of Japan. This society was founded in 1872, for "the collection of information and the investigation of subjects relating to Japan or other Asiatic countries." The two seats of the Society are Tōkyō and Yokohama. The entrance fee is 5 yen, and the yearly fee likewise 5 yen to residents, but 3 yen to non-residents. It is also optional to residents to become life-members by paying the entrance fee and a lump sum of 50 yen; similarly, to non-residents for the entrance fee and 30 yen. Candidates are elected by the Council of the Society. Persons desirous of membership should, therefore, apply to the Secretary or to some other member of the Council. Members receive the Transactions