The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-12-28
COREAN HIGH JINKS.
An Imposing Ceremony Over a
Decea sed Queen.
China. Net to BE Cheated OF an OppOr-
- tunity for Display, Attends with
Much Pomp and Cir
cumst0nce.

which China claims IN COrea TO De a
matter Of small Importance would be
un,lcceived by the perusal of recent
article in the London Times. For GEN.
turios, it says. the kings of Corea have
received investiture at the hands of
the sovereign at Pekin, and all great
political events. including the decease
Of royal personages, have been duly
and tremendously reported to him. On
the death of the queen dowager OF Co
rcs, in 1890, the king dispatched mes
sage TO Pekin to announce the sad
event and presented memorial to the
throne, in which he declared himself
10 DC kneeling before his majesty IN
great perturbation and awe The Co
rean envoy spoke of COrea as ''vassal
state of China" and went on to plead
that in the then impoverished condi-
ton Of the royal eXchequer it would
be an act Of infinite grace on the part
of the emperor if he would not impose
on tho king the expense OF entertain
ing the mission of coincidence which in
other and happier circumstances it
would be customary for the emperor to
i!nplore the congregation to omit tn
700 burdensome surprise party. But
che emperor was jealous of his privi-
logcs ind the only concession he would
make was to allow the mission to travel
Is far as possible by sea instead of over
Land and not to insist on the usual
presents to the members of the mission.
In, hnr re hA f<, no
done in tirst-class style. Every prepar-
alton was made for receiving the mis-
sion at the port of Chemulpo, and con-
Quoting it to Seoul, eighty Corean miles
distant. The roadway between the port
aad the capital was repaired, leveled
and widcned, and gravel Of yellow
tingc was sprinkled over it in compli-
ment to the imperial color. First in
the procession came the mission receiver
and the Corean officials in columns, one
on each side of the road. Next
came the Corean escorts, the flags,
symbols of authority, etc, yellow UNI
hrcllas. drums. gongs, and bands of mu-
sic. Then came the incense. palan-
qninS. and the shrine ION which was
placed the emperors letter., followed
by the Chinese attendants, all of whom
were mounted. The commissioners fol-
lowed in their chairs side by side, and
behind them marched the high and low
deputies. with the supervisors and their
attendants n 18th of July procession
was simply not in it with this. At the
FIRST hating place the imperial ENJOYS
wore followed" to by various COrean
officials. including a parsonage called
health inquirer" who had been ap-
pointed especially to ask after the
health of the Chinese visitors.
Arriving at the Corean capital, the
ENJOYS and the letter of coincidence
were conveyed into the ''hall of audi
cree" where the ceremony took place,
the king prostrating himself four times
before the imperial shrine. At funeral
service conducted in memory Of the de-
ceased the king acted the part of chief
nourner, and walled" at the bidding
of the master OF ceremonies until the
nmo camo for presenting the emperor
letter ara presents to the departed
qxcen. Then, in the midst of profound
silence, these imperial testimonies of
ro-ard wore committed to the flames
a.ll asccnded in the smoke to the gods.
Tie keys OF the city gates were handed
cvr- to the visitors, who were thus
made to feel in the most practical way
Ia. the town was theirs. In accord
E:ce with the agreement the Chinese
r;.Ss.<,d the presents offered to them,
nat on leaving each envoy was fur
Si<hed with four saddled horses and
four GroOins. three drivers, one UNI
brclla bearer. two pathfnders, four at
PENDANTS, four litter ponies, four litter
pony GrOOmS. four litter attendants.
ssEa chief chair-bcarcr and one sedan
chair, with eight >t.1c.n chair bearers.
:",e pony f-r carrying rain coverings,
: - servants. four cOnch blowers. four
2.,.-rs ami four horn blowers. four SUI
s"rvisois, of flag 81. ,'.lals, six cong beat
.0's. Az ak 'irst-class hctor:,. and two
aa.i'tx:'.;- oi.ir rs in command &C two de-
:a.;:.s! att of escorts. twenty-five silk
tS-;-r.. .:s.r:'+i .lags. one petty official in
-: 't't-:, - waiter, one cook and
:s-.ea ;;lt;.' ,rctcrs Of She thil<l order
20 .:.noot 'ielp thanking shat thcre is
o.inte, here for the next intercolon-
~. ~.2fcr, SIC. The health inquirer
:. ct A.'':'.:. ton. and every now and
~ Il - IA Cal his knees and asked
q. 49,. i. w icther the interior ar
~. "...-. were il good order. 1t is
+s"s.4. t.i:r tie orientsls are away
&C. =. - "a IN the patience with which
','..' SUP - to DE bored Here the
S.-lth Inquirer would be classed with
t:ls Lnsn whn asks whether it is hot
enough fca you to-day.