The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1882-09-13
Curious COrea.

A tall gentleman of military physique
attracted the attention Of Il Lrdder com
missioner yesterday as he watched the
ebb and flow Nt the Union Depot. Upon
inquiry il was learned that the warlike
gentleman was Commodore r. w. Schu-
feldt, of the United States Navy, who
was en- route to his home in the East
Commodore Schufcldt was sent to China
and Corea by the Government on an i'm
portlnt and diplomatic mission, and
reached this country but few days
since, having accomplished the service
he was detailed to perform. COrea is
mountainous kingdom Of Eastern Asia.
Tho King is vassal OF the Chinese EN-
pire, yet within his own country he is an
absolute monarch. His name is so holy
that no one is permitted to speak it, and
it is rated high treason to touch his
body with any weapon of iron. Ticng-
tsong. .tai.vang permitted himself 10 die
of an absccss in the year 1880 rather
than permit his doctor to use a lance on
him. Every horseman that passes the
palace Of the King is compelled to dis
mount, aud those VINO enter his presence
must needs PROSTATE themselves before
the throne.
There are eight provinces In the
Kingdom, and each is presided over by
Governor. The Corcan language is
Turanian in its nature, but the educated
classes have discarded it for Chinese.
Buddhism is the official religion, and
sacriliccs OF pigs, goats and sheep arc
offered to the gods iOr all purposes upon
the least proyOcalion. Plurality Of wives
is not tolerated, but hnrcms arc in high
fashion, and one Of these arrangements
is attached TO the palace Of the King.
Children fare well among the people,
and strong affection for their of
| spring is one Of the redoaming traits of
/ the Corcan people. Paper is the only
thing of any consequence manufactured
| in the country, but trade there is entire
/ yundcycloped. In 1861 several Amcri-
can vessels were hmbcl hy the natives,
and Commodore Schulcldt WAS sent by
| the Government 10 demonstrate with the
Corcan authorities, hUt he failed and
returned. Admiral Rodgers i'll 1870 en-
/ deavored TO enter Corra, and also failed,
and the country still remains sealed
mystery to the civilized world. Tho
Japs have got 50 far, however, ms to be
allowed to station a permanent Minister
at the Corcan car'l, while three of tho
ports are open to lapmc.c trade, but
further they dmc moi 90
/ Commodore Schuicldts second mis-
sion to Corca was to open that country
to the world aud he was successful in
doing so through the intervention of the
Chinese Government. Tin" mineral re-
sources Of Corca arc said TO lc great,
gold silver, copper, iron orc and coal
being reported to he among its hidden
treasures. The Corea women arenot con-
sidered dofmuch Importance BY the males,
and among the upper classes the mar
riage of n widow is considered disgrace
full, and the production Of the union, il
there be any, is looked upon as boing
illegitimate. Widowcrs are, of course,
free to wed dozen times if they are 50
inclined There Is another custom which
Americans will have to remedy when
they move over, aud that is the cultiva-
ton of snakes. The average Corcan
dotes on reptiles, and views thcr with
the most profound respect and Gwe.-
Cleccldnd Lddcr.