The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-03-09

The city is traverscd 10y broad avenues
from which runs "A perfect labyrinth of mar
row streets. Originally none Of these streets
were less than twenty feet wide and some Of
the avenues leading up to the imposing gates
of the palaces are even now good 2OOieet III
width But the streets have all been en-
croached upon 10y the little temporary
matched booths of the petty retail dealers,
50 that, with the exception Of the APP
proachcs TO the palaces, the line is broken,
the streets made tortuous and only here and
there Il broad open spot indicates the original
width of the thoroughfare. Originally every
street was furnished with its Sewer-open in
the smaller streets, while the enues were
drained by great covered sewers of stone
work. Occasionally the proprietor of one of
the little temporary booths would put
foundation under his structure, bridging
over the sewer, until now the streets have in
many cases become mere crooked alleys, ana
but for the bountiful rains the excellent
natural drainage and the character OF the
soil. the mortality would be very great in
stead of being less than in ordinary American
cities No attempt is made towards street
decoration Us that would attract the atten-
ton of thieves. The magnificent grounds OF
a noblemln. with their artificial lakes, flower
gardens, water worn pillars OF ancient rock
and quantity twisted trees, may bo incloSed
by a row of tumble down, smoke bcgllmed
servant quarters that would never indicate
the beauty to be found hidden within its hid
eOus exterior.
"GIohe trottcrs" never seem To realize that
a street in the east is apt TO be but II way
between two points, and as the usual oriental
odols greet their nostriIs and their eyes rest
ON the dirty servants and their dirtier novels,
they at once denounce the whole town.
There is attraction enough, however, III a
Korean street for any one who Is IN search
of strange sights. Looking down one of the
broad thoroughfares of Seoul from point
on the city wall, the suns rays, falling on the
light colored gowns Of the pedestrians as they
samter along amid the bulls and ponies, pro-
duce a Kaleidoscope effect that Is certainly
charming. Passing down into the throng II
will toe seen to he made up mostly of men,
with here and there Il c!ump OF common
women each closely yelled, with bright
green gown made like the long outer garment
of the men, and possessing little sleeves OF
crimson. This strange garment Is never
worn. but is always used Us covering for
the fair q face. Tradition teaches that III
ancient times, when wars were frequent, wells
were discarded and these gowns were worn
bv the wives and sisters, that III case of sud
den call to arms, they could be given to their
husbands and brothers TO bo worn to battle
hence the red sleeves upon which the CORY
sword was TO bo wiped.
The peculiar gauze ''stove pipe hat of the
| men. about which 50 much has been said,
also has its origin in tradition as follows:
In ancient days conspracies were com;lon
| to prevent these an edict was issued compel
| ling all men TO wear great carthen ware hats,
the size of an umbrella type of the mourner's
| hat in Korea today, except that the latter Is
made Of finely woven basket work.. This
| law became very odiou5, for, in addition TO
the weight of the hats, not more than very
few men could come close enough together to
converse. au, even then spies could hear their
necessarily load whispering Little 10y little,
therefore, the Law began to be intrlnged
upon till the people got down TO the present
airy structure of horse hair, silk and bamboo.
! The custom of wearing white SO extensively
| as they do is also accounted for 10y tradition
| Mourning is Il serious business III Korea, tor
ON the death of a father the son must lay
aside his gay robes and clothe himself In un
| bleached cotton of u very coarse texture. he
wraps his waist with rope girdle and puts
| on the umbrella hat which cOnCeals the whole