The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-12-28

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silver, and Others were of green jade,
amber and other precious stones.
Zach of these officials wore ribbon
of woven horse hair about four inches
wide about his heads and this ribbon
was fastened on by little round but
ton about the size Of the back of
collar button, which rested just behind
the ear. These buttons also denote
rank. Some were OF gold, some am
Der and others Of other precious
material
These men were all dignihed. We
were introduced all around by the
Cabinet Minister VINO conducted us
into the room, and we sat down to a
long table upon which were plates
filed with assorted cookies about the
size of macaroons. At each mans
seat there were champagne glasses,
and the servants opened halt dozen
or so of cold bottles while we chatted
and waited. The American Minister
had his presentation first. He spent
about half an hour with his Majesty,
and then one of the English speaking
officials came into this room and told
me that the King was ready to see
me. Taking off my hat and my eye
glasses, / walked with this man
through long passageways, walled
with stone by red capped, red gowned
servants, and past soldiers iu gorgeous
uniforms, to the gate of large court
yard. AS we neared this my inte'-
prefer, who was high official noble,
bent his head over, and his face look
ed like that of man in pain at
funeral. AS We entered the court he
bent half double, and as | looked
across il, l saw there was a large
open hall facing us. This hall had
a massive roof of heavy tiles, and at
the front of it there were number of
big round pillars painted red. There
were three entrances to it, reached by
granite steps guarded by stone dogs,
and the floor was, judge, about six
feet from the ground. Within the
hall, In front of Corean screen stood
the King, with two eunuchs on each
side of him holding up his arms.
And about him were a number of
officials, who bent over half double
and dared not look at him for rever-
ence, All of these officials had these
gorgeous storks or tigers on their
breasts, and they looked at me out of
the tails of their eyes as l came up
My interpreter got down on his knees
as he got to the steps. He crawled
along the floor to the front of the
King and bumped his head upon the
carpet. He then bent himself over
half double and remained in this posi-
tion during the whole of the interview,
whispering in tones of awe his ma.
Jesty's sentences to me and my ques-
tions to him.
The King was dressed in gown
of crimson silk, cut high at the neck,
and embroidered with gold medallions
as big around as tea plate. There
was one of these medallions on each
of his shoulders, and one covered
each side of the gown at about whe
the fifth rib is supposed to be located.
This gown reached to his feet 1t
was gorgeous beyond description, and
it harmonized with his cream -colored
complexion. The sleeves of the gown
were very full, and out of them a
pair of delicate, shapely hands came
from time to time and clasped each
other nervously. On one of his fin
gers l noted a magnificent diamond
ring, and it seemed to me as though
the great solitaire must cut his fingers
as he clasped and unclasped his
hands, now folding them together and
now pulling one finger after the other,
as though he would crack the Joints.
About his waist he had a belly-band
embroidered with jewels, and his feet
were clod in heavy official boots. His
head was covered with navy blue
cap of horse hair net as high as silk
hat This came well down upon his
forehead. 1t had no brm, and there
were no wings at the back, as on the
caps of the officials. He shook his
own hands at me in Chinese fashion
as | came up. / bowed, and | look
ed him straight in the eye as we talk
ed together. l was not more than
FIVE feet away from him, and there
was a little table between us. Above
us shone the incandescent globes of
the Edison electric light, and there
was an European carpet on the floor.
The audience was largely given up
to the passing of compliments, and it
lasted, | judge, about twenty min
utes. During 1t l had a good oppor
tunity to study the King and | photo
graphed, as it were, his form and
features upon my brain. be is about
FIVE feet six inches in height. He is
rather well built, but not heavy. He
has beautiful, bright, black almond
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