New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-28
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
A FORBIDDEN LAM

mn unknown country previous 10 the puohcaV'on
of this volume is situated III the most eastcrS part
of the Asiatic Continent, and is separated rom Vne
Chinese Emnire by the great YalOn River and
formidable mountain range called the "hte-
Headed Mountains. Although greatly inferior III
extent and population TO China ana Japan 'he
kingdom of Corea in both respects, surpasses many
OF the more important European States, and on ac-
count of its admirable climate, its exuberant Ter
tihty and its remarkable mineral wealth, deserves
ne less attention than any other part OF Asa. Ac-
coring to the most Trustworthy accounts, the total
number of inhabitants of the peninsula and OF all
the islands under Corcan rule may he computed al
q low estimate, as between $4,000 600 and l6Ooo'-
600 For MANY centuries the government mas o'-
volved upon an independent king, whose rnc 10 a"-
solute and supreme. The various ranks OF the P"pu
lation are subject to rigid division INTO ciSVs'
hearing some resemblance to the HDdoo system,
but of q political rather than OF religious oIlglh'
The first rank immediately after the king and the
members OF the royal family consists Of the mobiles
or descendants of the old families OF chietans, who
are again divided into two degreos-the civil and
military nobility These NO classes OF mobiles en-
10y the special privilege of freqneutlng the foyI
court they in possession OF all the important
public offices. and in the enjoyment OF high honor
and distinction. Next to these classes comes inc
caste of the half mobiles, weak in numbers, an"
forming the transition from the nobhty to the clVlc
classes. They enjoy the right 10 fill CERTAIN inferior
offices from their own ranks, chiefly those OF gov
eminent secretaries and Of transators OF chinese
The civic caste, which is next in order, consists oil
the Weather portion of the city INHABITANTS H.
ending the merchants. manufac tureIs, and most
kind of artisans. The peoples caste. winch is ire
most numerous OF all, comprises the villagers lH
ers shepherds, huntsmen, fishermen, and the Ike
Between the people and the slaves, who occupy me
lowest rank, an anomalous class, called tle
"deSpiscd CASTE which IS again divided mo sew
cral degrees. Although it ranks socially below the
common peoplc it possesses many advantages lii a
worldly or business point Of view. The suhordi-
nate officials are taken from this caste They con-
due, the work of writing keep books and accounts
and are often sufficiently wealthy aud powerful 10
have great Influence with their superiors Butchers
and workmen in leather belong to tins caste, and on
the lowest steps of the scale are the bonzes or
priests.
The official religion of Corea is the worship OF
Duddha which was introduced from CHINA IN
the fourth century of the Christian era, and gTadu-
ally spread throughout the country. In disregard
for their own rclig Ous ceremonies and customs the
Coreans hardly rise above the level of saVagts Inc
priesthood is in a state Of utter degradation. The
absolute behavior and bad conduct Of the bouzeS
have often caused so much public annoyance as to
rompeI the interference Of the Government. Their
fress is similar TO that of their Chinese colleagues
For the most part they clothed in long white
robes their heads are completely shaved, ana SHOW
DO vestige Of hair. There external appearance cor
responds fully with their character, for almost
without exception, they 20 about in an unconth ana
slovenly attire. Nor are the mass OF the people
greatly addicted to the ncetios OF tashon' OF H.
ined to make sensation by bravery Of costume:-
The dress Of the COreans is very plain; that OF
Tho, ,postsi a "A
little below the hips. and OF VIDE trousers worn
mostly loose round the legs. or tea together ABOVE
the ANGLE over the stockings. Seldom ana Only VIII
fhe better classes long and flowing IOOrS are III use
similar to those worn IN China, tied round tbe
waist with a silken cotton string 10 TINS string
which by common people is worn OeHe"tn ~ ,nc
Jacket ore attached tobacco pouches. pipes lahS
FnI similar necessarles Inc coior OF tne uless,
both of men and women, IS, almost Wlthou1 eAceP
ton white; that Of the Jacket very raIeil, NHN
blue. Children are more often met with Glothcu IN
colored sus mostly light blue TOse-colorel sell
dom in CANDY or dark hues. The material OF the
clothing of the people and of the citizens consists
of or less finely spun Deacneu cYt;ohs o ".
orally used although material OF a Detter ana
finer description is alse made. Chinese ana EURO
pean cotton goods are not unknown, ana are very
11nnch esteemed bat the quantity of these winch
can be smugged into the country, or when are I'M
tier is so triAing that it is OF no account "naI-
ever.
Woolens are not manufactured in Corea, and are
nearly unknown there. Jackets ana robes are worn
with very wide sleeves. the gentry wearing them
two feet wide at the wrist pockets arc hot IN use.
The country and agricultural populatlon seldom
use socks and generally only KIND OF thIck straw
Matted sandals which are attached to the foot
md between the toes with hempen strings; these
sandals are very comiortaole ana easy III Mnnh'ne'
The latter also are frequently used III toWns' TO-
Cether with white cotton shoes OF common MAKE
Persons of higher standing wear shoes OF CHINESE
cut and solemn occasions ciOth DootS inc
those used in China. Silks are only worn Oy the
noble classes and the high functionares; generally
several wide Jackets of different hue one over the
tark
These silks are manufactured III emma expressly
for the Corean market, with patterns OF q spocIai
kind the consumption IS however very limited
one ONLY and hardly exceeds a lew hundred pieces
a wear which are sold in barter at the northern
fair. The dress IN Winter does not muGii uHel
from that used IN Summertime. being LIKEWISE
white, only Of stouter and c0aIsor material 'he
Jackets quilted and lined with sheepskin. i o or
three suits are generally put on duTlng the cOlu
season at time and left of one by one when II
begins 10 got warmer. in the northern provinces.
where wild beasts are frequent furs much used
fine descriptions Of fuIe such as sable, ETC., are
manufactured into bead gear such rs hGn, c0nlcal
caps to which pieces for the protection Of the throat
aud neck are attached.
The effect of the white dresses from distance is
very pleasing one but as the Corcans do not e1-
Gel in cleanliness. the original white hue degene-
rates by degrees into 4 dirty gray, when rehdeIs
the same much less nice ana lnVlths OH CLOSER III
spectiOn
The soldiers and polce officers wear dark blue
the cut of Their clothing be ing similar to that IN
general use. The jackets OF the former are bound
with broad black cotton ribbon. with piece oil
round white cloth the breast and back, showing
The number aud character of their corps. instead
of the commonly WON hat they have black LETT
hats with a broad rim and pointed top. ornamentcd
with fox tail
The head-dress of the people deserves special
,nention as the hats with high and low people are
beautifully made OF fine split bamboo, the manu-
facture of winch being the principal branch OF ~
dustry Of the island Of Quepart These hais, nearly
aiways black -lacquered, and seldom Of yellow
color, scarcely cover the crown OF the head and
can only be kept the latter by means OF sepa-
rate, tight-Gttng cap of the same material intO
winch II is fixed and attached by strings round the
earIans The him is quito round and more than