The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1882-09-14
Curious COrea.

a tall gentleman of military physiuue
attracted the attention of a Lea0er com
missioner yesterday as he watched the
epb and flow at the Union Depot. Upon
inquiry 1t was learned that the warlike
gentleman was Commodore r. w. Schu-
teldt, OF the United States Navy, who
was en- route to his home in the East
Commodore Schufeldt was sent to China
and Corea by the Government on all i'm
portant and diplomatic mission, and
reached this country but few DAYS
SINCE, having accomplished the service
he was detailed to perform. Corea is q
mountainous kingdom of Eastern Asia.
Inc hlng Is vassal of the Chinese EN-
Plre, yet within his own country he is an
absolute monarch. His name is so holy
that no one is permitted to speak it, and
IL IL rated high treason to touch his
body with any weapon of iron. Tieng-
tsong-tal-vang permitted himself to die
OF an abscess i'll the year 1880 rather
than permit his doctor to use q lance on
MIN. Every horseman that passes the
palace Of the King is compelled to dis
mount, and those vino enter his presence
must needs PROSTATE themselves before
the throne.
There are eight provinces in the
Kingdom, and each is presided over bv
q Governor. The Corean language Is
Turanian in its nature, but the educated
classes have discarded it for Chinese
Buddhism is the official religion, and
sacrifices of pigs, goats and sheep are
offered to the gods for all purposes upon
the least provocation. Plurality of wives
is not tolerated, but harems are in high
fashion, and one of these arrangements
is attached to the palace of the King.
Children fare we'll among the people,
and strong affection for their off
spring is one Of the redeeming traits of
the Corean people. Paper is the only
thing OF any consequence manufactured
IN the country, but trade there is entire
~ undeveloped. In 1867 several Ameri-
can vessels were burned by the natives.
and Commodore Schufeldt was sent bv
the Government to demonstrate with the
Corean authorities, but he failed and
returned. Admiral Rodgers in 1870 en-
deavored to enter Corea, and also failed.
and the country still remains q sealed
mystery to the civilized world. The
Japs have got SO far, however, as to bo
allowed to station permanent Minister
at the Corean capital while three of the
ports are open to japanese trade. but
further they dare not go.
Commodore Schufeldt's second mis-
sion to Corea was to open that country
to the world, and he was successful in
doing so through the intervention of the
Chinese Government. The mineral re-
sources of Corea are said to be great.
gold, silver, copper, iron ore and coal
belng reported to be among its hidden
treasures. The Corea women arenot con-
sidered ofmuch importance by the males.
and among the upper classes the mar.
riaage of widow is considered disgrace
ful, and the production of the union. if
there be any, is looked upon as being
illegitimate. Widowers are. of course
free to wed dozen times if they arc SO
inclined. There IS another custom which
Americans will have to remedy when
they move over, and that is the cultiva-
ton OF snakes. The average Corcan
dotes on reptiles, and views them with
the most profound respect and ave-
Cleveland Leader.