The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-12-05

The Department Of State has received
report on Corca by Lucius II. Foote,
the United States Minister He writes
from Seoul the capital Of Corca:
/" His Majesty, King III Fin, the reign
ing sovereign, is the twenty-eighth sue
cessor OF the present line, and the year
1858 is the 1921 year Of this dynasty.
" At different times the country has
been overrm by China and Japan, and
has paid tribute to each. The country
is still paying tribute TO China, but the
sum has been greatly modified. Each
year an Embassy goes to Pekin with
certain gifts, and he brings back the
Chinese calendar. To receive this cal
endar is an evidence Of dependency, and
II it is not used il is regarded as an act
Of treason. II is necessary to report to
the Chinese Emperor the accession Of
new king to the throne, and TO obtain
his sanction TO the same. ENJOYS going
from COrea TO China are treated rs
Chinese subjects. For 300 years, how
ever, China has carefully avoided com
plications with Corca, and has never
materially inteifered with her affairs.
"The population is estimated at H..
900 900, aud the number Of houses at
100000. The Government is an alb
solute monarchy all power resting in
the sovereign. There are also six heads
Of departments, and these, with three
Ministers, constitute the Council Of State.
"Important officials ARE invariably APP
,ointed from the higher classes, the
common people taking little part in pub
lie affairs. The nobility seem TO have
family distinction, but their rank de-
ponds upon thu grade Of the highest
official position which they have occu-
pied, and attaches TO them for life. For
this reason officials are frequently
changed, that rank may be conferred.
The result Of this system is that the pco-
pie are divided into parties, and bitter
partisan spirit is enPendcred, each party
seeking 10 secure the offices.
Certain special privileges attach to
officials, such as exemption from arrest
they can only be summoned by writ
from the Department Of Justice.
"rhcrc are numerous private schools,
but no general school system. Nearly
all the common people can read and
write the Corean language.
"Thc titles TO lands ARE derived from
the Government and are carefully regis
tered in local Offices. The tenure de.
ponds upon the payment of taxes, which
IRE levied in kind, and are oncrons by
reason Of the mrcstrained cxactions O
officials.
"The only coin Of the country IN the cop.
per cash, SIS Of which are equivalent Ia
one Mexican dollar.
"Tho roadways nrc narrow bride
paths, the only wheeled vehicles being
two-whcclcd CARTS which in some places
are made to transport merchandise.
Bulls and COrean ponies are used as pack
animals. Persons Of means and distinc
ton travel on horseback or iii sedan
chairs. Inns are scarce and lncOmmOd.
ious but the people are said to he kind
and hOspitnblc.
post offices are established in the
principal towns, and Mt some places on
the public highways the Govemmen
maintain stations with post houses fo
public use. There are 1900, 600 Of en-
rolled militia in the country, but they IL
not drill and ARE without arms.
"Oorca is land Of mountains. Tn
Shan ynn-alin range extends from mort
10 south along the western coast, an,
from this, smaller ranges trend acros
the country. Everywhere mountain
peaks are TO be seen.
"AmOng the manufactures are silk
cotton, and linen cloths, iron and ston,
ware, pottery, hats, shoes, paper, mats
fans, screens, combs, pipes, brushes
tiles for roofing, certain kinds Of iurni
lure, mechanical and agricultural imple
mcnts. Some articles exhibit degree
If excellence, but the majority are rude
and primitive. Cloths ARE woven in
hand looms, and pottery is made by
ilse of the wheel. Specimens of old
bronze aud porcelain are occasionally
found, showing that in the past higher
degree of skill existed.
"rhe majority of the houses are
simply novels, with mud walls and floor
and matched roofs. The better class q
houses have stone foundations, inter
Rected with ilues for heating purposes
Upon this foundation IL n wooden build
ing with tile roofs, the floors, walls, an
windows Of which are lined with paper
"rhe clothing of the common pcopl
Is made invariably of cotton or liner
cloth, and in winter liz waddcd. The,
wear upon their feet straw or Irvine san
dals, with soles of rawhide, and upon
their heads conicalshapcd hats, mad,
OF horse hair. Their breechcs are mad,
very full, and are divided below th,
knees and fastened Mt the ankles. Over
tins long, loose robe is worn with flow
ing sleeves.
"The people seem to be hardy, Wig.
orous, well formed race, of medium
stature; and while the yellow skin, al
mond-shaped eyes, and black hair of the
Mongolian rnce prevails, men with ligh
hair and boards and blue eyes are some
times seen.
"The wages paid to the laboring classe
approximate to ID cents per day and L
the artisan about % cents n day. SLAYER
IL said To exist in modified form, and i
even sometimes voluntary, as thus TIN
p''i mum 'o'HH'o 'Al'i'Iol iHu bUIlTch
sion. The artisans and many classes G
laborers, however, belong to powerful
organizations or guilds, by which mean
they maintain degree of independence
and enforce their rights. Crime is no
verely punished, and questions involving
civil rights are decided by the courts.
The women, married and unmarried, are
kept in seclllsion.
"Thc Corcan nobleman, If his means
will permit, maintains degree of state,
surrounded by his retainers, and goes
forth to make his calls of ceremony in
his sedan chair, dressed in silken robes,
accompanied by rstinue OF servants.
Marriage IL amatter of negotiation be-
tween the parents and friends of the
parties, and is often concluded in child.
hood.
In conclusion, l would say that
.here are many industries here which