The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-21
THE KINGDOM OF CoREA.

Something About the Little Sovereignty
Whose Embassy Is in Washington.
Letter in New York Herald.
Seoul, the capital of Corea, is in the northwest
ern part of the peninsula and near the Salu, or
Hau, river, being about sixty miles from its
mouth. The old maps put it directly on the
river, but recent visits have proved that town
which is near 1t, and which is on the river was
probably mistaken for Seoul when foreigners
were not permitted TO approach near enough to
determine it's position. 1t is about an hour and
half's walking distance away from the river.
The capital is a walled city, built at the foot of
range of hills, and the site was evidently selected
as affording easy and natural means for de-
fense the hills being in the rear and the river in
'front.' 1t is said to contain about 600 900 inhab-
itants, but the walls enclose several times the
area occupied by the houses, and after surround
ing the town, ascend the hills and form bar
rier along the topmost ruges. The city is di-
vided into four nearly equal parts by Two i'm
mense streets, which traverse IL at right angles
through the center Upon these TWO streets is
carried on the principal business of the place.
The King Is young man of thirty-twO and it
is only since the summer of 1882 that he has
actually been at the head of the state. Unlike
most Eastern potentates he has but one wife,
hut at the same time he may have as many as
ne chooses. 1t is stated that there is no limit to
the royal concuhihes, but that, as the Queen
keeps sharp lookout upon her royal master,
they lead life of easure and ldeness AS ali
the court dresses, emDrOderleS and MANY other
fancy articles said TO be made in the palace
it ia bnt fair TO presume that these women fnd
something with which to occupy themselves.
One of the most curious circumstances In re-
gard to the King is that he has name. He is
simply known "The King" and not until he
dies is a name given HIM. He has the power to
name his successor to the throne, and that sue
cessOr need not of necessity be the next of blood.
He Is never seen by his people, and
Only leaves the palace precincts twice
year, and then for the purpose Of performing re-
liglOuS ceremonies at a temple some half mile
away. In stature lie is below the medium
height; has IA handsome, pleasant face, jet black
hair, q light ninstache and imperial of the same
color. white complexion. beautiful teeth,
and, the most noticeable of all, dancing DIauK
eyes that seem to be overlooking with merri-
ment. His state dress is of crimson satin hAav-
lily embroidered with golden dragons, ana the
dress of the mobiles at court is of dark green,
with q square piece OF embroidery on the breast
and on the back, representing flying stOrks. He
is always accompanied by two immense eunuchs.
who also mobiles. Up TO the time of the pre-
sentation of General Foote, the American envoy,
in May last, the King had hut one other
foreigner, Mr.. Won Mollendorff Minister OF Gus
TOMS 1t Ia the latteI's intention, as the gradual
int oduction of new ideas Will permit, to have
the King appear in public among the people.
He is already prepared for it, but 1t is questlona-
BILE whether the people are quite ready for such
an innovation upon their old established Gus
TOMS
The Queens household is entirely separate
from that of the King, as, owing to the customs
of the country, she is surrounded by women and
can only be seen by women. She has never been
see by a foreigner, hut is described as beng
very beautiful. Before the arrival of the wife
of the American minister in Seoul, the Queen
had expressed an ardent desire to see her, but
as yet she has not done 30, although she sent
eight of her ladies in waiting To make "a formal
call soon after Mrs. Foote reached there so