Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-09

ABSORBING INTEREST N THE SEWING MACHINE
AND P1ASo-soorAL CUSTOMS IN ooREA
There has been something Of an eyne,sse in the
domestic circle Of the Corean legation. The
ladies Of the officials. who arrived here about
two weeks ago, have already shown q DISPOSE
ton to exert the self-asserting feminine spirit
OF free institutions and petticoat administra-
ton Of household and social affairs. They de-
cline to be governed by Corean ang pang no.
tons OF feminine relation to society and al
ready insist upon doing in America what Ameri-
can women do.
On the 18th Of the present month the diplo-
matte representative of Tai Chosen, Tai Kun
Chu great king Of Great Choson), with his
suite, will transfer his official residence to the
larger building on Iowa circle secured for his
occupancy. The presence of the Corean ladies
ana the peculiar institutions of their own coun-
try regulating the feminine status introduce
some perplexing features into the domestic
regimen and social relations Of the legation.
Thus far the ladies have remained indoors,
with the exception of q visit to Mrs. Allen, wife
OF the foreign secretary. with whom they dined,
and an outing occasionally for an airing. There
will be no change in the domestic regulations
that is If the male members can help it-con-
corning the seclusion OF the oriental ladies I'M
til after the removal of the legation to its more
commodious quarters. The subject of social
intercourse by the ladies will then be consid-
cred. 1t is proposed that in the beginning the
head of the legation will receive in an outer
room, and an inner apartment will be desig-
mated for the ladies, who will there appear in
full oriental toilet to entertain callers Of their
own sex, serving tea and making themselves
affable after the style Of their own land.
But in such matters it appears man proposes
and woman disposes. The incipient woman's
rights movement which has broken out IN the
household of the Corean diplomats has already
impelled resort to every subterfuge and device
to keep peace for the present in the domestic
circle, according to Corean traditions and Gus
TOMS
WORKING THE sEwINo-MAcHINE.
The most successful diversion played upon
the rich olive-hued ladies has been their in
struction in the propulsion and manipulation
of the sewing-machine. The two petite ORR
entails are immensely happy under the tuition
OF an instructress, and already run up seams,
haste, and handle the tucker with the skill of
adopts. Another scheme to keep them amused
is proposition to take them to a photograph
gallery to have their pictures taken. This is a
pleasing prospect which has furnished another
gilt-edged ruse for the preservation of connu-
bal authority and order in the family circle Of
the Corean officials: The potential moral
suasion, superinduced by the logic of Ameri-
can institutions and environments, threatens
peaceful revolution which may inaugurate a
reform in the social economy of the Corean
kingdom. This socialistic upheaval has been
much stimulated by the visits of that charm
ing and pretty oriental matron, Madame
Mutsu, the wife of the mikado's minister. She
has called to see the daughters of the neigh
boring kingdom and they have all been very
happy together.
THE CoREAN WOMEN
are very pretty, having a soft olive complexion
with jet-black eyes, raven hair Of soft texture
and in great profusion, well-turned mouth
with thin and rosy-hued lips. In stature they
are petite and dress with great taste, and in
rich fabrics. Calling at the legation by invita-
ton the Corean officials retired for moment
and then reappeared leading their silken-clad
ladies by the tips Of their fingers INTO the
room. Upon being presented they smiled
pleasantly. courtesied and extended a small
and beautifully tapering hand in American
fashion.
as converter OF American vocalization into
jaw-twisting Corean. a very entertaining con-
versational exchange Of pleasantries and inter-
rogatories followed, which indicated that the
Corean ladies were very bright. They VEN
tured very freely into the use Of ''Thank you"
in reply to expressions of compliment. The
Corean ladies exhibit a remarkable aptitude
for acquiring the American tongue. At their
present rate in few months they will be
quite fluent. They take hold of their new sur
roundings with every desire to improve in
western accomplishments and domestic arts.
Their greatest desire is to learn to play on the
piano.
THE TOILET
worn by them upon this occasion was Nile
green silk skirt plain and full. faced with plum
colored silk, with short canary-colored bodice,
folded away in the neck. silk band encir-
cled the waist wen up toward the arms.
gold chain with pendant was worn on the
neck. The hair was braided low on the neck
and held with silver pins. The ladies are very
happy and have no desire whatever to 60 back
to their native land.
Because the Coreans do not permit their
women in their native land to mingle promis-
cuously with the outer-world, after the western
idea of polite society, it does not follow that
they are kept prisoners or have no enjoyments
Of their own. At the intersection of the prin-
cipal thoroughfares Of Seoul, the capital in the
quarter Of Chong-No, stands q kiosque of ORR
entail architectural design, known as the
Chong-ga or bell kiosque. Inside of this
structure is suspended the Iukiung, or great
bell seven feet high and ten feet in diameter
At o'clock every night the bellman, an officer
of dignity in the kings household, by means of
a wooden ram suspended by chains from the
rsfters overhead, tolls the curfew. The deep
reverberations of Iukiung are followed by the
weird sounds Of the Che, resembling q bag
pipe, and other instruments OF native music by
the royal bands stationed at the gates of the
city. The lights on the mountain tops stimuli
taneously signal throughout the kingdom the
hour of retreat for men to their houses. The
gates are closed and the streets are cleared for
the sole pleasure of the ladies of the city.
From the curfew hour until O'Clock in the
morning, the feminine members Of the families
of high degree have the exclusive right to the
streets Of the capital, and woe unto any stray
man found trespassing upon this exclusive
privilege bestowed upon the ladies of Seoul,
In Corea women have no part in the social
relations of men. Every dwelling has its wo-
mans quarters, the ang pang being the inner
most apartment or sanctum sanctorum, SO to
speak, of her domestic world. which is even
more secluded than her boudoir. During these
hours Of feminine freedom the men sleep or
while away the dull hours slipping their favor
lite inebriant, sul while the ladies visit each
other, exchange gossip, have a merry time,
relieve their pent up energies of magnetism,
electric forces or emotional pressure through
the exercise Of their vocal organs just like their
western sisters. This exclusive enjoyment of
the favorite diversion of femininity continues
until o'clock in the morning, when the deep
tones Of Iukiung breaking upon the gloomy
solitudes of darkness and night warn the
women Of the capital to retire to the ang pang.
The gates Of the city are then again swung
open.
THE MARITAL RELATION
has almost predominating influence in the
political and economic as well as the social in
stitutions Of Corea Every man is supposed to
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