Latham, H. L.

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MISCELLANEOUS. 3I5he was first called, came to Colombo from his native town Matara, fwherehis brother was High Priest of the temple) at the early stage of eighteenyears. With his limited means he started a commission business in a smallway, supplying eatables and other merchandise to the people of Kandy andneighboring districts. He acted at the same time as an express agent forforwarding goods along the line of his business. He soon acquired the repu-tation of a reliable man, which formed the basis of a new enterprise in build-ing up a furniture business. The beginning of his new venture was hard forhe had many rivals, but most of them failed, and he succeeded not only inmaintaining himself, but also in making his firm the best known all over thewhole island. He started a manufactory of his own. improving the traditionalmethods of manufacture, invented new designs, and established business con-nections first with the Straits, then with Japan, and finally with Great Britainand the United States. In time he amassed a fortune which made him one ofthe wealthiest business men of the island.A predominant feature of the late Mudaliyar's life was his devotion tohis faith. He was a staunch Buddhist, and the founder of the MaligakandeVidyodya College. It was on his invitation that High Priest Sumangala camedown and settled at Maligakande, taking sole charge of the institution. Hewas, moreover, a large-hearted, open-handed man. His left hand knew notwhat his right hand gave, but he was ever giving. The poor, the sick and theneedy found in him a ready and a cheerful benefactor. His munificence, inspite of himself, eventually came to the notice of the Government, and he washonored with the rank of Mudaliyar—an honor he richly deserved.The Anagarika Dharmapala is his eldest son. His second and third sons,Simon and Edmund Hewavitarne, are in charge of the business built up solaboriously by their father, the traditions of which they creditably maintain:while the youngest son, Dr. Hewavitarne, has just returned from Europe andset up in private practice.The Mudaliyar was cremated, according to Buddhist rites, in the presenceof 150 yellow-robed Buddhist monks, among them being the Right Rev. Jina-varavansa, briefly called the Prince Priest, who is a brother of the King ofSiam, and renounced the world for the sake of devoting himself to a religiouslife.THE REFLECTIONS OF A JAPANESE SUICIDE.*BY HARRIS LEARNER LATHAM, A.M., S.T.M.I am done. I have lived these one and twenty years in this world andamong all my acquaintances I have found friends but one or two who seethe meaning of my words and sympathize with the anguish of my soul. Ihave sought to know the secret of existence, to solve the riddle of life anddiscover my destiny. Among the philosophers I find only discontent and dis-cordant opinions. The teachers who have pretended to guide me are uu-anchored buoys ; their voices are but fog horns sounding only in clear weather.* The young man to which I have reference committed suicide some twoyears or so ago by throwing himself over the falls at Nikko. His reasons forso doing were mentioned in a farewell letter which he composed. It was briefbut contained the gist of what I have in my sketch. The facts appeared inthe English and Japanese newspapers of the day. Any one who read theseaccounts will recognize the allusions at once. I do not wish to claim too muchfor what I write as I am relying entirely on memory.3l6 THE OPEN COURT.I have visited the shrines of my native land in days gone by; I have lis-tened u^ith open-mouthed wonder and reverence to the tales of ancient heroestold me by my aged parents. But these are all fables; I believe in them nomore. They have failed me. I am a lone v^randerer. I am in despair.I once thought that before my mind would unroll the panorama of theuniverse, if only I should search for the highest view-point. But I see onlya short way before me and that dimly. From the dusty bones of past genera-tions arises a stifling pestilential odor which all but overcomes me. I knowI have turned my back on my native land but what else should I do, since Iam undone. I thought to see a world of beauty and what did my eyes fallupon? Blasts, frosts, conflagrations, thefts, murders, hangmen, vultures andhell. Is life for forty or more years thus to be?Nature tells me in hollow, tantalizing tones, Yes. But there is onestronger who hurls back with the spirit of Yamato—Nay. Never will I yieldto be imprisoned with such as these. I once thought a life full of achievementwas within my reach. But they say fate is over me; that I can gain no helpin prayer, that the gods of my native land are dead. What days are these onwhich I have fallen? I will not be the sport of blind forces. I can conquerthem even though it be in death.There are sights that might gladden my eyes, but they are denied me.They are reserved for craven-hearted souls who are content to tread thecommon thoroughfares of men. There are battles to be won but by those whoare poisoned by human ambition and care not for the soul of things.Such are most men. I was not born for such low existence as this. Mysoul is preparing for a loftier flight; meanwhile its spreading wings arestained with blood as they hopelessly beat on the prison-house of this humanexistence. I cannot bide my time. I know not what lies beyond. The graveis dark, clammy and cold, cheerless and hopeless; yet 'tis no worse than here.Perchance beyond the grave I may descry another land. Or maybe my soulfreed from fleshly fetters will launch forth on a sea of eternal light and mergeinto the great All. I know not. Maybe the pause of my heart-beat will termi-nate all. If so I complain not. I see no way. Yet I must have relief. I cancompel this world to give me one boon whether it will or not. This boon Inow appropriate.Therefore to all I say farewell. Ye men of fleshly souls, I am not one ofyou. I bid you farewell.BOOK REVIEWS AND NOTES.Courses of Study. Edited by John M. Robertson. London : Watts, 1904.Pp. viii, 516.This book adds one more to the constantly increasing number of booksabout books, but among the literary guide posts this fills an important placeof its own. Its aim is not to provide bibliographies, or specifications of thebest books, but to assist private students to acquire knowledge in any or allbranches of liberal culture. In compiling the courses the editor has had verygenerous aid from specialists in the various branches.The book was prepared under the auspices of the Rational Press Associa-tion of London, and it seemed to the editor that a systematic compilation

The Reflections of a Japanese Suicide.

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The Reflections of a Japanese Suicide.

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