Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-02-21
THE CURIOUS COREANs.
Far Behind the Japanese in Society
Ways-PecuIiar Notions.

Ways-PecuIiar Notions.
If all the stories regarding the Co
reans are true, says Washington letter
to the New York Times, it would seem
that the two members of the legation
now in Washington enjoy glorious i'm
munity from the observance of the set
rules of society. At one of the fashion
able tea parties last week it was noticed
that the gorgeously-apparaled Orientals
were beaming delightedly upon the beyy
of pretty young girls of which the re-
ceiving party was composed. Later on
it was learned from the hostess that not
only had they come unlimited to the
/ party, but this was the first time che had
ever seen them save at distance. She
concluded with the remark: "From what
| understand they seem to imagine they
can go into any house where they see
there is reception in progress. How
ever that may be, the two Coreans go
everywhere and seem in some unac-
countable way to derive keen enjoy
ment from so doing. 1t appears to be
unaccountable, because they seem in the
truest sense to be strangers in a strange
I
one talking to them. They stand apart
gazing at the doings of the gay crowd
in weird sort or fascination. One rea-
son for their present social isolation is
doubtless the fact that their knowledge
OF the language is so limited as to pre-
clude the possibility of engaging in con-
versation beyond the trite commonplace.
"Good morning." goodbye" and
'nice day."
The clothing worn by the Coreans,
though much more gorgeous than the
robes affected by the Cinnamon, cannot
compare with the latter in texture or
richness OF material. The Corean taste
in such matters appears to have been
patterned after the plumage of the par
rots, for on state occasions their nttire is
either a daring combination of purple,
green and blue, or the scarlet gray and
yellow of cockatoo. The fiimsy silks
of which these gowns are fashioned are
chosen for economic reasons, and that
same economy is reported to be potent
factor in the domestic arrangements OF
the legation.
Upon the arrival of the Coreans in
this country and for some time thereafter
\ X
fare was of the simplest description.
Three times day the legation gathered
at the table for the enjoyment OF q ma
tive dish which consisted OF cabbage, rice
and scraps of meat boiled together in a
big iron pot for several hours. But that
the Coreans have learned to enjoy the
good things of civilized culinary art is
assured by friend who entertained
them at dinner in New York before the
departure of the minister for his native
country. The hostess, wishing to be
polite TO her guests, considered it nee
essury to address some part OF her con-
versation to each in turn. This, Of course
had to be repeated through the inter-
prefer, who was also called upon to con-
vey the answer to the hostess. IL may be
readily seen that neither the hostess nor
the Interpreter could avail themselves to
any extent of the good things. A few
days after the dinner the Coreans ar
rived in due state to make their call,
when they remained four hours.
The japanese Legation is as wholly
different from that OF the Coreans as it
is possible to imagine. The air of the
place is thoroughly American and to
would be that made by any private
house in the city-that is, one where
the taste OF the hostess ran to japanese
screens. jars, and carved bis OF furnl-
ture, for the rooms are filed with such
things. Nine. NIutsu is a very small
woman, who strangely enough appears
to advantage in the dress of this coun-
try, which she always wears. The ma
terial OF the gowns is always elegant
and their makeup shows the hand OF an
artist. One would never imagine to look
at the delicateIy- built little woman, with
the smooth and ivory complexion, that
she was the mother of q daughter Is
years Of age, who is now pupil mt n
school in this city. The Minister is tall
and angularin appearance, most cour-
teous in his manners, and like the ma
jority of foreigners, n strict observer OF
the niceties Of etiquette. Not long ago
he and his wife we're the guests of honor
Mt dinner party given by n member OF
the diplomatic corps. On the morning
of the day on which the dinner was
given the Minister went to the residence
of his host to inquire whether or not
toast was to be- given, in order that he
might spend the day in studying up his
English sufficiently to understand and
reply to it. The Minister and his wife
attended the musicale given by Secre-
tary and Mrs. Whitney week ago, and
throughout the playing Of the Adamow-
ski quartette Mime. Mutsu was an atten-
tive aud delighted listener, at the finale
manifesting her appreciation by vigor-
Gus applause.