Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-11-30
MRS. GE WAN.

The two ladies Of the Corean legation made
their debut in Official and diplomatic circles
during the closing season of the Cleveland adj
ministration. When they arrived in Washing
ton they were subjected to the restraints of
feminine discipline in Chusan, the land Of the
midnight sun, but very soon asserted them
selves sufficiently to attend with their lords at
the fashionable drawing rooms and receptions.
The reception at the Corean legation toward
the close OF the season was one of the finest
entertainments of the kind given during the
season. The wives Of the principal officials
assisted in receiving and acquitted themselves
with great ease and composure. The
ladies were placed in the hands
of instructresses in the various branches
OF the household arts and accomplishments.
The piano and the sewing machine were their
chief delight. They have shown great apti-
tude in the acquisition of the English language.
After official and general society had their
curiosity well appeased quite a social issue
sprung up respecting the marital status of the
feminine members of the Corean legation.
Under the Corean customs the ladies were
what might be termed the active wives of the
othclals. 1t Is common practice in Corea for
friends to betroth and even marry their Off
spring to each other in infancy. Although in
after years the wife of such a marriage is
recognized, unless she wins in favor she is
consigned to a life of indifference and drudgery
while her lord marrles the woman of
his own maturer choice. The woman of such
union is recognized as the second wife and
usually enjoys all the pleasures of matrimony.
When the head Of the house sets out ON a
Journey to distant parts OF the kingdom he
leaves the first wife at home to look after tine
household duties and encumbrances and takes
the second wife with him as a companion.
The Corean ladies who have attracted so much
attention by their cunning ways and pictur-
esque and somewhat grotesque costumes are
not concubines, as rumor has circulated, but
of lual ity
OF nuptial blessedness bestowed upon the male
gende: by ancient usage and edicts of Chusan.
The Corean diplomatic representatives
occupy fine residence in a fashionable portion
OF the city and have become quite expert in
western ways. DIR. Allen, the foreign seere-
tary who has had the legation in charge since
the advent Of Prince PAX and suite in January,
1883, has gone to Corea on important business
leaving the charge aud his secretary to run
matters in their own way. The principal
officials have acquired ready supply of En-
gllsh verbal combinations which renders their
colloquial efforts in the vernacular Of the
American capital quite Ineligible.
THE CHINESE LEGATION.
The Chinese government, after the example
OF Japan and Corea, have permitted the wives
of the new minister and his secretary Of lega-
ton to accompany their lords into the coun-
tries OF the ''outside barbarians." Mrs. Tsui
kwo Yin, the wife of the minister, is an unusu-
ally attractive representative of Monaghan
beauty. She was a provincial belle of ancient
family, dating back into period of antiquity
when the civilized world of today was in the
rudest stages of primitive man. The wife of
the minister is attended by Mrs. GeoDg She as
lady of honor. Mr.. Wang Hung Ting, the new
secretary, is accompanied by his better half
from the Celestial kingdom. Mrs. Wang
Hung Ting is very attractive. The ladies of
Picking will make sensation in their rich
feminine renditions of the silken upholstery
OF the plenipotentiary and his gorgeous suite.
The Asiatic customs of feminine seclusion
and depression, oppression or repression domi-
mates the legation of Keang Su. Whether the
spirit of woman's rights anu feminine independ-
ence will permeate the boudoirs of Mrs. Minister
Tsui kwo Yin and Lady Geong She and Mrs.
Secretary Wang Hung Ting is one of the I'M
solved problems of the social circles OF the cap
ital. The ladies take their airings in closed
carriages and have appeared beyond the por-
tails of the legation, but have not yet ventured
abroad to enjoy the freedom of American femi-
ninity. DeB.R.K.