New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-26

- D.. .,o, one OF his subjects, the
| latter n,aces a silk cord about MS pou,' 80 -
| knot upon the spot where the ro'e, nan. -. III
| ,ha, he NAV be ever mindful OF th's uhu'"- -
| of royal favor and that others may h"o" 80
! 80 80 "rovaI contact" Women. however nave
great freedom In the royal palace, ana i''o' 80
| and 20 as often they Wish. ne 49, =. 4.
| ro,,r, rover hear the likeness or the ru'e'. =. 80
| feared that otherwise a great wro"e ''e 80 "a
| 10 the royal person. the coins ~ run. =, ~.
| hand and at times even fall IN '"e u'l. -,
streets The idea of a counterIet P'e'o
His Majesty being found IN 'he uu'' ,,.n
tboroupbfares IL abhorrent to the Corean. 0",' d
Gov, ,,a,rs ago when foreigners first appeared III
Corsar cities pictures Of king were never See"
untr after his death. Even to-day, many No', ,'
have no idea of the personal appearances VI '"'
ruler - King
Tho Holy Books OF Corea declare that the Ns
buses himself exclusively In doing good bu'' u''
fortunately rulers OF whom this Description II true
have been few Corea. In general the Kings nave
been weak men, physically, mentally ana mora"''
who were old before their time, owing 10 the "'
brdled life which they allowed TO follow pe-
fore coming to the throne. The princes are oro"e"
up In the palace. which Is little more .hah s'e
harem. No one allowed TO correct theh UT give
them advice; whatever they do Is praised Crown
princes with sufficient strength OF character 70 re-
sst temptations thrown In their way are rare IN
deed
THEY SPY FOR HIS MAJESTY.
The King has In his employ many secret agents,
who travel about the country to report to him re-
garding the doings and conduct OF his ofhciais es-
pecaIlv as TO the amount Of money which they are
able to hoard up.
In former years there existed In the palace OF
the King a chest called Sin-mounko. which was
first used by third King OF the present dynasty,
about the year 1900 In this chest were placed all
netit,ns Of the Coreans intended for the eye OF HIS
Majesty This chest is still In existence. and
netitjon which finds It's way within Its sides is al
most certain to be answered. lbut IL ID wen Hs"
impossible to obtain that privilege without the pay
ment OF an enormous sum OF money. To-day. II
native wishes to present petition to the hihs' 10
stands outside the gates of the palace In the morn
ing until His Majesty leaves. his apartments he
then beats a drum and a servant opens the gates
takes the petition and presents 1t to one OF the MIN
listers The latter always forgets to hand II 10 his
Majesty, unless the petitioner knows MS price Al.
Another way OF attr ,cting the attention vi tue
King is to start fire on smali moun,a ~
site the palace OF the King his NaJesy an ~,
II. asks cause. and SENDS servant 10 hhu ou'
what Is wanted. :. , =,
Among the duties OF the King-self- assumed' OF
course. in the earlier times-s the caring TOT Ie
dependent on His Majesty. To the poor octosend-
rans he usually gives five measures OF rlSe, wv
measures OF salt and three measures OF FISH every
vear The septuagenarlans receive four measures
OF rice two OF salt and two Of fish. A person can
live about ten days upon a measure OF rice. T.,
certain directions blood relations or the ruler ser
dom have any say in the government OF the county,
II they attempt to mix themselves up IN orar az ~
life is usually short. They are looked upon as con-
sPraors and are pT Is prince IN
Corea. and many an innocent fellow mas gone 10
his death branded as traitor Con spraciesj a now
the present ruler.