The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-03-13
COREAN LADIES.
PICTURESQUE ADDITIONS TO
OUR DIPLOMATIC CIRCLE.
The First Females From the Land
of the Morning Calm" to Visit
America-Thcir Physique
and Odd Costumes.

America-Thcir Physique
and Odd Costumes.
A few evenings ago, says a recent
issue OF the Wash hngton Star, there
al'ghted from the Chicago and Washing
ton limited group of strange human
figures robcd in the picturesque and
unique costumes of the inhabitants of
Cipaugo and Cathay. A figure
whose silken robes, stately mien, and
ceremonious reticence has relieved the
monotony of occidental lo1uacity and
funcreal garb incidental to the round Of
social gayeties of the capital, and tall,
young, and handsome American awaited
the train as it rumbled into the station.
The travellers were Ye Wan Yum,
Corean Official of wealth and of rank
equal to that of a minister, who has no
present relation to the legation, but is on
special mission, and is fluent in Eng.
lieh, and Ye Cha Yum, the well-kDown
ecetary of legation, who accompanied
the affab'e diplomatic head of the en-
bassy, Prince PAX, on account Of illness,
back to his native land, and who is still
the minister aud may return.
The two oriental officials were ac-
companied by their wives, the first Of
their sex to leave their country to mingle
among "the people of the western
ocean," and the first women of 'the
land of the morning calm" who have
ever visited the nited States, and are
novel acquisition to the per-
sonnel of the diplomatic corps near
the court of the Republic. They will be
known on the diplomatic list as
Mrs. Ye Wan and Mrs. le Cha. In their
own land the nomenclature of femininity
is not for the purpose of individualizing
but for the proprietary Identification of
paternity, as the daughter of-or Of
matrimonial possession, as the wife. The
party were escorted to the legation, the
women being placed in closed tarriaye.
Upon their arrival they were assigned to
their apartments, and have not been out
of the house publicly since. Mrs. Allen,
the wife of the foreign secretary, called
Immediately. The little women were
overjoyed at her presence, particularly
as she spoke to them in their own
language. In board the steamer coming
over they were very much restricted
and in crossing the American continent
they were seven days shut up on the
car in drawing room compartment,
which, for the time being, was converted
into Corean ang pang, and where their
meals were also brought to them. The
windows were open so that they could
admire the country, fondness for seem
cry being national characteristic. They
spoke to Mrs. Allen of the wonders of
the mountain scenery, the grandeur OF
the rivers, the magpi6cence of the cities
and of the new and terrifying way Of
travelling in this country. They said
they were happy, but were aston;shed
at the greatness and size of this mighty
nation. The two types of Corean
ladies who may after awhile, when more
accustomed to their surroundings, be
permitted to follow their husbands
among men and women in what "west-
ern ocean" people call society, are short
in stature, we'll formed, very dark, with
heavy oriental hair, almond eyes and
fat features, the distinctive mark of
MoDgolian physioguomy. They are very
sprightlY in manner among themselves.
In their native land, Ike the women Of
China and Japan, they are great gossips.
When the almond eyed ladies arrived
their toilette was a hood of black fur,
orened at the top, and ending at the
rear in q point turned up, and had a
trailing plume of rare feathers of their
country. Their persons were enveloped
in loose robes. concealing them en-.
tircly. After retiring to the improvised
ang- pang of the legation and arranging
themselves they descended to the dining
room and ate their first dinner in Wash.
ington. Their dinner costume consisted
of the richest fabrics of their silk
producing and silk.weaving country.
The skirt was of indigo.hued rich
native silk, cut long and en- traine,
in the style of ladies of rank.
The waist was of lighter shade
of blue silk, trimmed with white.
Their shoes were light colored Corean
cloth sandals. Their thick raven tresses
were held down smoothly against the
head and fastened in q sort of long
knot ut the back and he'd with jade
hair-rin. Around their waists they wore
belt of heavy material, which not only
divides the upper and lower portions of
the body, and gives the outlines of beauty
to the figure, but is also utilized for
holding the end of the train when not
in use for display, it being brought grace
fully around on the right, and tucked in
the belt, the end hanging over in front.
The japanese ladies, who associate
only among each other, according to
custom, are very exact in their toilettes,
and are more graceful in the use OF their
train than the ma ority of their western
sisters. An American lady will carry her
train, when not in use, over her arm.
The Corean lady, bringing it gracefully
around her person, hangs the end over
her belt, her arms being free. The ladies
are twenty-five and twenty three years
of age, and are the wives or ruling
women of the domestic surroundings of
the Corean officials.