The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-23
COREA.
IHeralll

The presence OF the COrean Embassy In
this city gives renewed interest TO the
country and its rulers. A correspondent
OF the Herald sends us the following. I
Seoul, the capital Of Corea, ia In the
northwestern part of the peninsula and
near the Salu or IIau river, being about
sixty miles from its mouth. The old mans
nut IL directly on the river, hut recent WIS.,
It's have proved that a town which il near
IL. and which Is on the river, was probably
mistaken for Seoul when foreigners were
not permitted TO approach near enough to
determine its position. Ii is about an hour
and a halls walking distance away from
the river. The capital is a walled city,
built at the foot OF q range Of hills, and the
site was evidently selected as aflording an
easy and natural means for defence, the
hills being in the rear and the river IN
front. II il said to contain about 100000
Inhabitants, but the walls enclose several
times the area occupied by the houses. and
after surrounding the town ascend the hills
and form barrier along the topmost
ridges. The city is divided into four
nearly equal parts by two immense streets
which traverse 1t at right angles through
the centre. Upon these two streets is car
red on the principal business OF the place
THE KING AND HIS cONCUBINEs.
The King Is young man OF thirty-two,
and 1t IL only since the summer OF 1857 that
he has actually been at the head OF the
State. Unlike most eastern potentates he
has but one wife. but at the same time he
may have rs many as he chooses. IL is
stated that there Is no limit to the royal
concubines, but Is the Queen keeps sharp
lookout upon her royal master they lead a
life Of leisure and idleness. As all The
court-dresses, embroideries, and many
other fancy articles are said to be made in
the palace. it Is but fair to presume that
these women find something with which
TO occupy themselves.
One OF the most curious circumstances
in regard to the King is that he has no
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 successor
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-
ligious ceremonies al Il temple some hall a
mile away. I'm stature he Is below the me-
dium height; has handsome. pleasant
face, ict-bhck haIr, 4 light moustache and
imperial OF the same color, white COM
plexion, beautiful teeth, and. the most
noticeable OF all, dancing black eyes
that seem to he overlooking with
merriment. His state dress is OF crlm-
son satin, heavily embroidered with
golden dragons, and the dress OF the mobiles
at court j. OF a dark green with square
piece of embroidery on the breast and on
the back representing flying storks. He Is
always accompanied by two immense
eunlIchs. who are also mobiles. Up to the
time OF the presentation Of General Foote,
the American envoy, in May last, the King
had seen but one other foreigner, Mr.. Won
MoIlendorti, Minister Of Customs. 1t Is the
latter's intention, rs the gradual introduce
ton OF new ideas will permit, TO have the
King appear in public among the people.
He Is already prepared for il, but it Is
questionable whether the people are quite
ready for such IN innovation upon their old
established customs.
THE QUEEN AND HER HOUSEHOLD.
The Queens household is entirely sepa-
rate from that OF the King, Is, owing to
the customs OF the country, she is sur
rounded by women and can only be seen
by women. She has never been seen by a
foreigner, but is described as being 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 so,
although she sent eight OF her ladies in
waiting to make formal call soon
after Mrs. FoOte reached there. SO
closely were they guarded and concealed
that no one at the Legation save Mrs.
Foote saw them. Ii is said that COrean
ladies are ayerse to calling, owing to the
fact that they do not wish their calls re-
turned, because in that case foreigners
might see the low position they occupy in
the social scale and the degraded condition
Of their lives. In 4 word, the Corean wife,
whether OF high or low degree, merely Oc-
cupieS the position OF housekeeper and
maid OF all work, having no social position
whatever.
Although the COrean women exhibit q
great curiosity TO see foreigners. and can
be continually seen peering from behind
doors and stOckades, the soldiers keep an
eyer-watchful eye on them and drive them
back TO a safe distance. On the ride 10
Seoul one Is often reminded that bright
eyes are watching him from behind the
trees or bushes aS he passes along the road,
but woe betide them il they are discovered
by the soldiers, for they have no hesitation
in pursuing them with the bamboo.
SIXTY DOLLARS FOR HAT.
The costume OF the men is particularly
adapted to 4 life OF idleness. The head
dress consists OF three parts first, the band
which goes about the head. being stretched
ls tightly as possible across the forehead
and secured TO buttons or rings Just be-
hind the ears then the inner hat OF horse
hair, which is merely receptacle for the
hair and topknOt and, finally, the outer
hat OF fine bamboo, which resembles some
what in width Of brlm the Old-fashiOned Qua
ker hat, though not 80 large In the crown
As that was. II may be mentioned that
some Of these hats are very expensive, and
can be made to cost as high a. $50. The
outer garments consist OF pair OF baggy
trousers stuck into padded stockings, the
latter so large that they give the wearer the
OF one suffering from govt in
the feet; above these cotton jacket, and
over all a robe or gown which resembles u
lady's morning wrapper as much as any
thing else, although it might easily be
mistaken for a night-shirt. This outside
wrap is tied about the waist, and the COrean
is dressed, except As To the articles that he
carries with him. First Of all cOmes the
pipe, and this Is an article that no true
Corean is ever without. Next, he has at
tached to his grdle his chOw-kniie and
and two bags. In one Of these
he carries his tobacco, and the other con-
tains his pocket-book, il he has one, and
several articles for the toilet He may also
carry an oil-paper cover for his hat. in case
it should rain. II he owns a watch that Is
also carried at his girdle in fob. Nearly
all OF the better class wear glasses Of some
sort. and these being very large, and set in
frames OF corresponding di-
they add another distinguishing
mark when i'm their boX and attached IN