Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-11-29

One of the secretaries of the Japan
ese mission which visited COrea early
in this wear to negotiate the treaty be
tween the two countries gave on his
return an account of the condition OF
Corea. SO far as he could observe 1t on
its southwestern coast, and In the
neighborhood of Kok'wa. The houses
of the common people are little better
than dog-kennels. Though kOk'wa Is
a fine place, the houses are only SIX OF
seven feet high. Houses in Corea are
warmed by means of a horizontal pas
sage extending under the whole length
of the floor; a fire is lit at one end, and
the smoke goes out at the other. DRIED
fish and persimmOns, tobacco, aud straw
sandals, are apparently the chief oo-
iects of trade. The government houses
are built of brick and recognizable at
glance. In respect of fcOnvenlences they
are very deficient; and for like reasons
the public roads are filthy. The city
walls are about five miles long, only
from two to three feet high. partly OF
mud and stone. and partly of brick; the
gates have fallen out of repair. The
Coreans dress i'm garments undyed and
unOrnamented, and which once were
white. a long sleeve is the badge OF
higher rank. The head-dress Is a
large round hat fastened by strings
passing under the cnin, and said to be
made of hOrse-hair. Custom exacts
that the hat be placed on the head when
greeting friend. The hair is worn
long, and fastened with pins into a
bunch at the top of the head.
The women are said to be dressed
something like Europeans, but the Jap
anese did not see one; the women are
excluded from the public gaze, and it
is said that even among the Coreans
themselves visitors are not permitted to
see the wife. The writer of this ac-
count thinks it probable that there may
be much mineral wealth in COrea, but
he says that only the iron mIues are
worked. Copper, gold and silver, IL
such metals exist, are yet untouched.
This, he thinks. may have arisen from
notion that their discovery would be
prejudicial to the nation. He believes
the soil to be poor. There appear to be
no old trees. the demand for fuel being
such that they are not allowed to grow
To maturity. The cattle and pigs are
very fat, and the hides of the former
are amorg the exports of the country.
The horses are very small. and only
about the third of the size of an Arab
horse.
The chief drink of the people is an
infusion of dried ginseng or ginger and
dried orange peel. Coma of excellent
quality grows in the country, and its
oil is largely used in cooking, and also
for lamp fuel. The Coreans eat more
meat and fat stuff than We do, but not
fish; the beef and pork are excellent.
When the treaty was signed we were
entertained with repast, at which
music was performed. There was a
sort of confectionery made of sugar,
flour. and oil. cut into small, square
pieces; a great heap of boiled eggs; a
pudding of -four, gonna, and honey;
dried peIsimRons; pine seeds; honey
like food covered with roasted rice,
painted red and white; macaroni soup
with fowl; boiled legs of pork; and with
everything wine of about the potency
of Japanese sake of inferior quality;
but the wine usually drank by the
COreans is a strong spirit. The dishes
were of .earthenware; the table was
square, rudely made and painted with
persimmOn juice. Oiled paper was used
for tableeloth, and the wine was
served from copper vessels.-LOndOn
Times.