The morning call., 1893-05-09
n "a

came with the party West he said Just to
to Chicago"
He studied English in the American
church at okohama for only two months,
but lie IS very bright and understands
what IS said to him for the most part. He
has left twenty-five Cnreans in Chicago,
most OF whom are wRll-tc-d0 farmers in
their own country, and he Is naturally anx-
lous 10 get back to them.
Of the musicians one plays the piano and
another the flute in addition to their native
instruments. They are very sorry TO have
10 return so soon, but they could not get
further leave from the Emperor. and being
part OF his band are obliged to go back.
Through Arm ki sun they expressed
themselves as being astOnished and de-
lighted at everything they had seen in
America.
The knowledge that they have acquired
is not altogether unmixed with evil, for
one OF the band at least has learned to
shoot cTaps" In Illinois, and the first
thing they asked for on Monday morning
was bottle of whisky. There was a
fancy cutglass decanter labeled ''Glt
Edge Whisky" and they would have this
or no other. Il was accordingly filled up
and they returned their thanks, but not
the bottle, WHICH the proprietor of the
hotel soOd-uaturedly allowed them to
Keep and which they will carry back 10
CoTea.
They are the first Coreans who have ever
visited the United States, and it Will be
remem 5ered that they positively refused
to be photographed when they arrived here
on the way to the Worlds Far
They are proud of having played at the
opening OF the fair, still prOuder at having
specially performed for President Cleve-
land, and proudest of all at having been
personally thanked by the President for
their music and their visit.
IHE CALL presents picture Of the
musicians taken yesterday in the back
yard Of the hotel. At first the subjects
positively refused to be photographed
but were finally persuaded by Mr.. Wal
dron on promises that they should have
copies given to them to take back to
Corea and show their friends.
Their dresses are as peculiar as they are
difficult TO describe. The head dress con-
sists of three pieces First, there is q
band OF the finest network, more delicate
than mosquito netting, and When woven
rese mOling the most minute wirswOrk
Imaginable. This Is surmouuted by a sort
OF shake" of the same material, which is
always worn in the house and comes we'll
down % the back of the head. In front
there IS klnd Of half step. Over This
again IS worn the stiff broad brimmed
gauZe hat which is shown In the picture
1t IS very light and fastened under the
chin with black silk ribbon.
The hair Is glossy black in The young
men and pulled uD behind, very much in
the same fashion as American women wear
II, and fastened in a knotted braid on the
crown. l. is confined either with tortoise
shell brooch or large pearl. In the house
the men wear white jacket with large
sleeves, an undergarment which crosses
Ike scarf about the throat, and IMMENSE
baggy Persian trousers OF the same mate
mai These are confined at the ankles
with cords, and the footwear and shoes are
nearly similar TO the Chinese stockings
and slippers so familiar to San Francis
cans.
Around the waist a rope of blue silk is
worn, and from 1t are suspended the purse
the tobaeco-poueh and other articles. The
material or the whole dress seems to be
creamy texture. somethin. between merino
and silk.
The overdress is sleeveless and edged
generally with pAle-blue silk about three
inches wide. White and blue and purple
mauve are evidently their favOrite colors.
Ihey are incessant cigarette smokers
and have kindly taken TO American brands,
using copper or brass mouthpiece Il older
about as long as an ordinary penholder.
They shave the cheeks. but grow a
mustache and imperial, also cultivating a
pointed tuft of hair on the chin.
They were not long in the house before
the proprietor found out that they were
Free Masons of some sort. II is evident
that they possess some of the mysteries of
the craft In rude way, dating back
thousands of years perhaps, though their
masonry IS possibly crude.
Their headdress is part Of their religion
and has significance down to the buttons
on the side of the inside hat.
While the signatures of the band were
readily obtained, the interpreter positively
refused to write the name of the Emperor,
which. il appears. is held sacred, and to
write which would be crime.
The name of the underdress is "wane
naugh poo ri mai.''
In person they are much larger and
bigger-framed than the average Cbinaman
or Japanese. They ara apparently brighter
also, ana converse rapidly and pleasantly
with each other without any OF the noise
and cultural clatteT that accompanies Chi
nese conversation.
They carry with them a pale, yellow.
dried root, which is a little bitter and
which they chew much like an American
girl does gum or slippery elm. It is sup
posed to cure colds.
To outsiders they are polite, but possess
the peculiar st0ical features of ali Mon
golians and will sit by the hour without
moving muscle.
During the six days of their stay here
the C0reans will endeavor to see all they
can Of the city. Yesterday they kept close
to the house. resting and smoking in the
parlor. They find themselves the object
OF so much curiosity when they go out that
1t is unpleasant for them; but their stay
in Chicago has made them used to crowds,
and they mind the white mans scrutiny
less now than when they frs: came here.
Their visit will doubtless be productive
OIL mutual good to the two countries, for
the Interpreter stated that they retain nc
curately nearly all that comes under their
notice, and when they 60 back to COrea on
the Peru they will all doubtless have won
derful stories TO tell his Majesty, the
court and the people generally.
Last evening the Coreans gave a short
concert to the guests Of The otel and their
friends.
Their chief instruments are two native
flutes constructed of bamboo, with seven
holes and a blowhoe as big as half a
dollar; bundle of reeds tied together
and operated by eight Orifces arranged
crossways instead OF lengthways; a very
peculiar fiddle something like a banjo.
with the strings loose and on the side.
The tension Is made by pressure OF the
fingers.
Their music possesses both rhythm and
phrasiDg TO a limited extent. Now and
again there was a wild burst OF sound and
the tunes ended by gradually dying away.
IL Is all descriptive music. Everything
they sang or played was of a religious
nature, and the last number was song,