, 1871-08-01
A Sketch of Corea

hostile operations by the United States
Naval force under Admiral Rodgers, We
copy from the New York Herald of June
17ih the following sketch Of the country
There are few piacrs in Eastern waters
more frequently mentioned than Corra,
and it may be truly said that there are few
Placrs in the same waters so little known
to the American public. This Ignorance
Of a country which has become famous tor
tue parliality its inhabitants display for
robust and irregular maratime taxation is
due mainly to the rigid exclusion Of for
eigners, save as slaves, who can get little
or no information Of the country.
Corea is large peninsula in northeast
ern Asia, bounded on the East by the
Sea OF Japan, on the south by the Strait
of Corea aud on the west by the Yellow
Sea and the Gulf of Leao Fong. 1t is
called Teyosien by the Chinese, to whom
it is tributary, and by the Ja-
par ese Knari, from which it derives the
name ol Corea. The length of. the pen>
iusula is about 600 miles, and the width
le,s than lao, and comprise about 10000
square miles. The capitol, KingkiIas, is
situated in the center of the peninsula, on
the banks of the river Kiang. The en-
tire length of the country is traversed by
a mountain range which forms a gentle
slope on the west and rises abruptly and
prrcipitately ON tho east. The coast is
about as treacherous as the COreans them
selves, being for the most part SO rocky as
TO be practically, inaccessible, although
there are few good harbors. The eli
mate Of Corra is very cold in winter,
while in summer rain falls so abundantly
that the great. variety Of fruits which
grow on the peninsula yearly become SO
soaked that their flavor is rendered in
sipid. But, Notwithstanding the usual
severity Ofthe seasons, the soil of COrer is
rich and productive, and barley, wheat,
cotton, rice, millet, etc, are grown exten-
sively in great quantities. Fruit trees
also flourish with tropical luxuriaEce.
The mineral weahh of the coOntry has
scarcely been attended 10, although gold,
silver, copper, iron, coal, etc, are found
there. The domestic animals are oxen,
pigs, goats, dogs aud cats, aud small
race OF horses called mnn-k-neat, famous
for their strength and spirit. 1t is said
that there is royal prohibition against
the rearing of sheep, aud consequently
that animal is almOst unknown 10 the
Coaars. The royal tigeriand the panther
are monarchs of the wild beasts in the
peninsula, and so numerous are they that
the traffic in their skins form an important
branch in their commerce with other ma
tions. The manufactures comprise cloths,
silk, pottery and arms, the latter being
the best made. The Ccrean sabres and
daggers are much sought for by, the Chi
nese because of thu exquisite manner in
which they are made. The foreign com
merce is triAing, and is confined mainly
to China and japan. 7.
Corea is almost an independent king
dom, and is governed by King " no pays
tribute to the Uncle of the Moon, the En-
peror of China. Its inhabitants are said
to be far superior to the Chinese in mem
tai aud physical resources. The govern
ment consists of King. whose ministry
is divided into five departments, which
form the center Of all civil and military
authority. His Majesty's power is held
sacred aud invioEible from the. union in
his own person of the hierarchial und sec
ular sovereignty. He divides his govern
ment into circles or provinces, each under
the rule Of specral governors, all appoint
ed by the King, 20 whom they are rtspon-
sible. The revenues of the Corran mon
arch are immense aud are derived mainly
from the letting out of land and a 1.-THE of
produce. As in China, r. hgion is Sec
ondary consideration. The prevailing
belief is in Boodliism. which was intro
dueed about the year 372, bnt there APPS
pears TO br anothrr reigion-rvidently the
original faith Of the propIe-and the doc
trines or COrpicious are held in high es>
TEEN
The genuine Corean language is scarce
ly Roman, as it has become hopelrssly
corrupted by The introduction Of numerous
Chinese words, the higher classes using
the Chinese language in all cases. About
the year l120 Corpa was conqured by the
Tartars; in 1892 and 1898 by The Jl-
panese, who were unable 10 retain it and
il fell unGer the sway of China, and we
have already minated the people engaged
largely in piracy. aud numI ers Of thrm are
yearly caught while at work in th.ir ,i-
rate junks. Their Treatment of all foreign
eis who tall iut1 their hands is most bru-