As Others See Us

lSven those who desire to be strictly accurate sometimes ereot their story f:-om a single instance, as a geologist coacaiv3S the frámework of a long extinct animal f rom one bone, says the Amorican Kitchen Magazine. The fallacy of so doing is well illustrated by the iollowing story told to the writer by ou of the participants: A few years ago two Japanese gentlemen of high standing were traveling in the United States, and, among other places, visited a large and widely known manufactory. They were afterwards invited by the senior member of the firm to lunch with him. Col. M. was also of the party. It happened that the first food placed on the table was a dish of fried potatoes, and as the manufacturer enthusiastically explained his busines to his guests he unthinkingly took i piecc of potato from the dish with his flngei-s, and ate it. A second and third piece foilowed. The Japanese listened politely, but Col. M. observed that they were closely watching their host's method of eating. The colonel had s keen sense of humor and he at once decided that he would follow his friend's example and see what the others would do. He did so and instantly both Japanese made a dive for the dish, and they thus sat eating potatoes with their fingers, presenting, it is to be feared, the appearance of four men who had had nothing to eat for a long whilü and expected never to get anything again. Will it be surprising if in a future Japanese book on America this breaoh of good manners shall find a place a.t an American custom?