Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-26
Written for The EvrxrSe srAn
THE COREAN LADIES.
An Interesting Addition to the Circle Of
Oriental Diplomats.
HOW THESE FAIR WOMEN FROM AFAR LOOKED AND
DREssRD-rHRY ARE AsToSIsHED AT THE eREAr-
NESS OF THIS COUNTRY AND AT EVERYTHING
THEY HAVE SEEN.

A few evenings ago there alighted from the
Chicago and Washington limited a group Of
strange human figures ROBBED in the picturesque
and unique costumes of the inhabitants of
Cipango and Cathay. A figure whose silken
robes, stately mien, and ceremonious reticence
has relieved the monotony Of occidental loqua-
city and funereal 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,
a Corean official Of wealth and Of rank equal
to that Of a minister. who has no present rela-
ton to the legation but is on a special mission,
and is fluent in English, and Ye Cha Yum, the
well-known secretary of legation, who accom-
panied the affable diplomatic head of the en-
bassy, Prince PAX, on account of illness, back to
his native land, and who is still the minister
and may return.
The two oriental officials were accompanied
by their wives,
THE FIRST OF THEIR sEx
to leave their country to mingle among ''the
people Of the western ocean," and the first wo-
men Of ''the land of the morning calm" who
novel acquisition to the personnel Of the dip.
lomatic corps near the court of the republic
They will be known on the diplomatic list az
Mrs. Ye Wan and Mrs. Ye Cha. In their own
land the nomenclature OF fem,
ton of paternity, as the daughter of-or o.
matrimonial possession. the wife. The
party were escorted to the legation, the womer
being placed in a closed carriage. Upon theil
arrival they were assigned to their apartments
and have not been out of the house publicl,
Mra he wifi of 0roiyn
rotary, called Immediately. The little women
were overjoyed at her presence, particularly a!
she spoke to them in their own language. Or
board the steamer coming over they were YER,
much restricted and in crossing the American
continent they were seven days shut up on tht
car in drawing-room compartment, which
FOR the time being, was converted into
coREAN ANa-PANa,
and where their meals were also brought :,
them. The windows we're open SO that the.
could admire the country, a fondness for seen
cry being national characteristic. They spok,
to Mrs. Allen Of the wonders of the mountain
scenery, the grandeur of the rivers, the mag
nifcence of the cities and of the new and
terrifying way of travelling in this country
They said they were happy, but were aston
ished at the greatness and size Of this might.
nation. The two types Of CoreaI
ladies who may after awhile, when mor'
accustomed to their surroundings, b
permitted to follow their husband
among men and women in what "westerI
ocean" people call society, are short in stature
well formed, very dark, with heavy orienta
hair, almond eyes and fiat features, the dis
tinctive mark Of Mongolian physiognomy
They are very sprightly in manner among
themselves In their native land, like tn,
women of China and japan, they are great gos
sips.
WHEN THE ALMoND-EYED LADIES ARRIVED
their toilette was hood Of black fur, openet
at the top, and ending at the rear in poin
turned up, and had trailing plume of rar'
feathers of their country. Their persons wer,