St. Paul daily globe., 1895-12-15

morals and philosophy. poetry and the
art of how to please. They do not go
out very often. Sometimes they can
receive their friends, but they are
never introduced when their parents
have visitors.
A most rigid watch is kept over the
young girl to prevent any scandal in
the family. If a child of eight were
caressed by man both she and her
parents would regard her disgraced
forever, and the only way for her to
lift the cloud of shame from the fam
lily would be for her 10 commit suicide.
Young girls of eight, nine and ten have
frequently taken their own lives, but
little Is thought Of it.
This sharp watch does not always
stop clandestine love, but the most
violent passion can go no further than
the exchange of looks, gestures, jew
els or letters. Even then dramatic de-
movements are very frequent, because
a farmer has a right TO Kill his daugh-
ter II she only permits suitor to
touch her hand; consequently, very
often the enamored prefer suicide to
paternal wrath.
Under such conditions marriage is
effected through agents, one for the
young man and another for the young
girl. The agents, knowing well the
advantages and faults of the young
people, arrange the affair with the
parents, who, when the transaction is
finished, notify the children, but with
out giving the name of the fiancee or
bridegroom.
Once a Corean girl is affianced, her
SecluS1On becomes more severe; only
her parents and her sister can see her;
and when by exception one of her
friends is authorized to come TO see
her, the visit is paid in the presence
OF several women of the family, who
watch the conversation.
MARRIAGE HER AIM.
Marriage is the aim of the whole life
Of the woman in Corea more than IN
any other country. A woman is only
born to be married, and for that pur-
pose alone does her father bring her
up. Thus, when the day of marriage
approaches the young fiancee receives
from her parents such instructions:
In the moment you overstep the
threshold of the paternal house another
life commences for you; you must obey
in everything your father-in-law, your
mother-in-law and your husband, be-
cause from that moment they are your
true and only parents
So married woman blots out her
father, her mother and the other mem
bers Of her family; such is the law;
such is the custom.
The day of the wedding the young
girl is dressed entirely in white silk,
har 6raS iS
cry, which is also white. In the after
noon they take her to the bridegroom,
where the agents introduce them mu-
tually; then both families and some in
vited guests sit down to the table.
The drawing rooms are splendidly
decorated and illuminated; the repast
is abundant and delicate. Upon plates
painted in thousands of colors, and
made of boislaque, the rice freshly
cooked, the most savory fillets of dog
the pates d'holoturies, most cleverly
combined, the finest fishes, the most
beautiful fruits are served without in
terruption; Intoxicating drinks are very
rare, but golden tea flows abundantly
and everybody, after having finished his
cup, previously ornamented, soaks il
in a large vase of water and exchanges
it arnicably with his neighbor.
If the groom belongs to a noble
family he frees all criminals kept or
his estate. The next day he goes with
his wife to a temple to pray to the
| gods for blessing on their union. The
third day they pay a visit to the brides
parents for the last time. From this
moment she takes up her secluded life
and can neither go out nor receive, mol
even look out of the window, without
permission from her husband.
The Corean law has seven causes fol
| divorce, naturally all against women
A husband can drive out his wife, first
if she has no children after three
years of married life; second, if she
speaks too much and is indiscreet
third, if she refuses to do conjuga
duty; fourth, if she steals objects be-
longing ITO her husband; fifth, if she is
not faithful; sixth, if she is seriously
i'll by accident or from birth; seventh
! if she is not respectful toward her par
ents-in-law.
Sometimes when a father is afflicted
with a deformed or ugly daughter he
! goes to the extremity of buying a hus-
band for her. Naturally the price paid
depends upon the degree of 'unattrac-
tiveness Of the girl. But the man who
contracts such a marriage courts os-
tracism. The average Corean regards
| himself as dishonored if he derives
| any pecuniary advantage by his mar.
riage, and for this reason the dowery
of the young girl does not cut any
| figure. 1t is well understood that al
the wealth Of the father goes to the
sons, and even when the daughter OF
a very rich man marries, she goes tc
her husband absolutely penniless. Il
is needless to add that bankrupt dukes
and noblemen do not banker after
Corean brides.