"We love you," said the genteel agents of a hundred disputing creeds, "go with us to a land that is better than day." "Velly well," says Hop, Lee, Sing, and Wu, "we likely go 'Melica." "Nay, nay!" says the good shepherd, "afterwhile, in the sweet by-and-bye. 'Tis of a better world we speak--patience, meekness, and love." "Why," asked the poetess Vauline, "are the other Outeroos not 'at home' to the Chinese while they are quite alive?" With a smile, Oseba said, "The Chinese, my children, are very industrious and frugal." "Are they an inferior race?" asked the poetess Vauline. "They are 'different,'" said Oseba, "but every race, people, nation, tribe, or creed on Oliffa, thinks itself 'superior' to any and all others. Vanity is absent--with few of the Outeroos." At considerable length, he reviewed the political, social, and industrial situation of China, and said:-- "All the outer world might learn lessons of patient industry from China, but for us, there is nothing in China." After a brief review of the social and political situation of each, he dismissed all the countries of Continental Asia, but he said Hongkong and Singapore, two of the world's modern wonders, had done much to apprise the world of the hidden treasures in these Tartarean regions. He drew attention to his discovery of Japan, as it appeared on the map with Asia, and then removing this, he threw the globe on the canvas. He dwelt in almost raptures on the beauty of the country he was now to examine. Of the Japanese, of whose condition he would first inquire, he said they had an old history. They had been isolated for many centuries. They dreamed in their narrow world, played in their little backyards, worshipped their monarch, and had been happy; but recently, touched by the magic wand of modern civilisation, they aroused, and having for a brief spell cast about them, they "girded up their loins"--tightened their belts--and hurried to join the front ranks of the army of progress, with an enthusiasm, and even a wisdom, never before known on this little globe. [Illustration: _Cathedral Peaks, Lake Manapouri_] Once aroused by the exhilarating thrill of progress, they as readily adjusted themselves to the peculiar conditions of their natural environments as children to a new playground. The mountains suggest liberty, the seas adventure, and to the fearless adventurers of those inhabiting the indented shores of the water-front, are the Outeroos indebted for all the blessings of modern progress--for civilisation is the ripened fruit of ocean commerce.