National Republican., 1883-09-17
Coren and The cnrrnn Embnssr.

Corca and the Coroan Embassy.
Following the example of the two other
Mongolian nations-Chna and Japan-Corea
now has its representatives in Washington.
Some information concerning that country
and its people will be of interest. Corca lies
on the east coast of Asia between latitude
$40 25' aud 43o north, aud longitude 1919 and
1902 80 east. 1t contains about ninety thou
sand square miles, and its population is va
riously estimated at from eight to twenty
millions. 1t is comparatively an unknown
country, as no authentic history or geography
of it is known to exist. 1t comprises pc
ninsula about four hundred miles long and
one hundred and forty miles wide and a large
number of adjacent islands There are u num-
her Of rivers in the country, the largest of
which is the Tau, and which is navigable for
large ships about twenty-five miles. Tho
coast is mostly high, abrupt, and rocky. Tho
climate in tho northern portion is quito cold,
but in the south and southwest more temper
ate. Tho principal products are wheat rice,
millGt, cotton, hemp, and ginseng, and in
| fruits, oranges, citrOns, mulberrys, peaches,
| pears, and grapes. Hazel nuts, ohestnuts,
and other nuts not known in this country are
also grown. A number of cattle are raised, and
a small breed of horses, hogs, aud other
| domestic animals arc raised. Sheep raising
| is prohibited by law. In the forests bears,
] ,,.;I 10
and also a large fcrocious animal known as
the royal tiger. Among the mineral products
are gold, silver, iron and salt, Mining, how
ever, is restricted by the government to its
own requirements. Coal is small quantities
has been found in some parts of the country.
The inhabitants are Mongolians, resembling
the Japanese but much larger than they or
the Chinese. In their dress, houses, and
social life they resemble the Chinese, but like
the Hindoos retain the ancient caste dis
tinctions. They do not cut Off their
der such social restraints as arc
those Of China. Their language is unlike
either the Chinese or japanese, resembling
the latter only in its poysyllac form. The
Corean alphabet has twenty-scven letters.
The upper classes are we'll educated and
write with Chinese characters, and
are chiefly followers of Confucus. Tho mass
of the people, however, arc Buddhists. Roman
Catholic missionaries have labored in Corea
since 1852, and it was claimed by them in
1857 that there were $1,000 converts Here
is known at this writing, foreign intercourse
civilization, and commerce are prohibited,
except by special treaties, with China. Japan,
and perhaps with some other countries. The
sending OF an embassy to the United States on
the conclusion of the treaty made by our min
lister indicates desire to invite foreign trade
and intercourse. The principal manufactures
in Corea are silk cotton paper, grass cloth
rice paper, arms, and horsehair caps, which,
with ginseng, skins, gold, silver, iron, ricc'
and oil are the chief exports. Tho principal
trade Of the country now Is with Japan. Tho
government is dcspotic, but the king is held
| in check by powerful mobiles, who have large
possessions and followings. Their food Is of
the simplest kind. They do not drink tea,
| has been boiled. Cotton and hemp are the
materials used for clothing. The lower classes
wearing summer jackets and wide, short
trousers, the higher classes wear a vest
trousers. and long gown, with buttons in
front and generally of a blue color. Nearly
all of them smoke tobacco in pipes, and belt
with tobacco pouch attached forms part OF
their attire. In 1866 the American trad
ing ship Gen. Sherman, while ascending
the Picngyang river, was seized and
the vessel and all on board destroyed.
In 1871 United States squadron under com.
maud of Admiral Rodgers sailed to Corca and
advanced up the river Hau and was red on
from the forts, and as punishment for this
action the American forces in the squadron
on Juno 10 captured and destroyed several OF
the Notifications. The admiral being unable to
open negotiations released his prisoners and
sailed out of the river The size of tho houses
of the lower classes is restricted by law.
They are about tcu or twelve feet square,
made of mixed stone and earth, and covered
with paper or bark.
No doubt the effect of sending an cmbassa-
dor to this country will be to convince them
of the advantages of an advanced civilization,
and to build up trade which will be of great
benefit to both countries.
bourbon Whining.
1t is to be hoped that our gentle nelghbor,
the evening organ of tho bourbons, will not
get unduy excited ovor the activity of tho
nitl,nr L., Nirr.i,,i.,