Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-09-01

gies, although we assured him that no
French cook could, il asked to do so, pre-
pare a Korean dinner that would in any
way compare with 1t.
We were next conducted through a few
moro courtyards to the building in which
the lecture was to I've given. Here we were
again bcsicgcd by the Cunuchs, and with
great difficulty l succeeded in spreading
the canvas and in putting the lantern to-
gcthcr. Then came the command to ap
pear at the presentation. and |, who had
been specializing upon the number Of sa-
laams accompanying the ceremony, was
relieved to find it necessary that some one
should remain to defend our paraphCrnnlia
against the prying fingers of the cunuChs.
Presently the courticrs began to come in.
The room occupied by the king, the queen,
the crown prince and the ladies of the
court was darkencd and contained the
screen opposite which the partition had
been opened enough to admit the rays
from the lantern, which was just within
the adjoining room. Tho professor and
took our places on either side of the in
strument, in front OF which stood Min, a
cousin of the queen and therefore ono to
whom she was allowed to speak and by
whom she might he seen.
The lecture was successful despite the
fact that some of the pictures would in
sist upon being shown upside down, and
greatly interested the royal family, who
asked a great number of questions through
Min, who, having been educated in tho
United States. spoke English with moro
or less nucncy. After he had finished
his majesty, being sOciably inclined, came
to the door ard convCrScd with the profess
or. 1t was then that for the first time he
became aware of my presence, for both OF
US CHANGED to peep around the partition
simultaneously and came face to face, to
his evident surprise and to my moro evil
dent embarrassment. At his request was
rs formally presented rs the circumstances
permitted.
Make n bow" said the professor in n
stage whisper from across the lantern. /
bowed in what considered my best style
Bow lower" came from the professor in
frantic accents, and then l nearly touched
the floor. Then came the crown prince, u
sickly youth of about 81 years, whom even
the famous ginseng" which Is supposed
to be an infalliblc remedy for all the ills
to which flesh is heir and from the sale of
which the king derives perhaps the greater
part of his income, has failed to benefit,
and the same formalitics, accompanied by
the same admonitions from the now per
spring professor, and the presentation, to
my unspcaknblo relief, was over.
now had opportunity to look upon the
sacred person of the king Of heaven. Ii
Hsi Is o small man, being not more than
feet inches in height, with an intelli-
gent and rather handsome face, ornament
cd with scant beard, which has never
known q razor. He is tho twenty eighth
sovereign OF the Han dynasty and has
reigned about 80 years, being now about
43 years of age. He was dressed in n mag
nificent robo of red silk embroidered with
unique devices and cncircled by girJlle
five or six sizes too large. l have heard
him spoken of as being the handsomcst
man in Korea. but In my opinion he must
yield that distinction to Min, tho queen q
cousin, who would be considered hand
some man In any country.
GEORGE ii. YENowINE.