On the whole, then, it may be said that Japanese policy followed, to a considerable extent, the course suggested in Herbert Spencer's letter of advice; and it is much to be regretted, in my humble opinion, that the advice could not have been followed more closely. Could the philosopher have lived to hear of the recent Japanese victories,--the defeat of a powerful Russian fleet without the loss of a single Japanese vessel, and the rout of thirty thousand Russian troops on the Yalu,--I do not think that he would have changed his counsel by a hair's-breadth. Perhaps he would have commended, [486] so far as his humanitarian conscience permitted, the thoroughness of the Japanese study of the new science of war: he might have praised the high courage displayed, and the triumph of the ancient discipline;--his sympathies would have been on the side of the country compelled to choose between the necessities of inviting a protectorate or fighting Russia. But had he been questioned again as to the policy of the future, in case of victory, he would probably have reminded the questioner that military efficiency is a very different thing from industrial power, and have vigorously repeated his warning. Understanding the structure and the history of Japanese society, he could clearly perceive the dangers of foreign contact, and the directions from which attempts to take advantage of the industrial weakness of the country were likely to be made.... In another generation Japan will be able, without peril, to abandon much of her conservatism; but, for the time being, her conservatism is her salvation. [487] BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTES In the preparation of this essay, I have been much indebted to the "Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan", and especially to the following contributions:-- (ON THE SUBJECT OF SHINTO) "The Revival of Pure Shinto," by Sir Ernest Satow,--Appendix to Vol. III. "The Shinto Temples of Ise," by Satow,--Vol. II. "Ancient Japanese Rituals," by Satow,--Vols. VII and IX. "Japanese Funeral Rites," by A. H. Lay,--Vol. XIX. (ON THE SUBJECT OF LAW AND CUSTOM) "Notes on Land Tenure and Local Institutions in Old Japan," by Dr. D. B. Simmons. Edited by Professor J. H. Wigmore,--Vol. XIX. "Materials for the Study of Private Law in Old Japan," by Professor J. H. Wigmore,--Vol. XX, Supplements 1, 2, 3, 5. (ON THE CHRISTIAN EPISODE OF THE SIXTEENTH AND SEVENTEENTH CENTURIES) "The Church at Yamaguchi from 1550 to 1586," by Satow,--Vol. VII. "Review of the Introduction of Christianity into China and Japan," by J. H. Gubbins,--Vol. VI. "Historical Notes on Nagasaki," by W. A. Wooley,--Vol. IX. "The Arima Rebellion," by Dr. Geertz,--Vol. IX. [488] (ON JAPANESE HISTORY AND SOCIOLOGY) "Early Japanese History," by W. G. Aston,--Vol. XVI. "The Feudal System of Japan under the Tokugawa Shoguns," by J. H. Gubbins,--Vol. XV.