The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-10
GATE OF SEOUL.

GATE OF SEOUL.
resemble more in their cast of features
than they do the natives of Japan. The
Korean language is, however, very diff
ferent from Chinese and Japanese,
though it resent les the latter in its
polysylIabic character, but is easier to
acquire than either of the others. The
state religion is Confucianism, but the
majority of the people are Buddhists.
Like all countries where the tenets of
Confucius prevail, ancestor worship is
a marked feature and parents are held
in the greatest reverence and treated
with the utmost Difference.
Nothing could better show the salu-
tary change which has taken place in
the sentiments and aspirations of the
people of Korea than their eagerness to
acquire knowledge. The education of
children is usually carried on at home,
several families uniting to hire teach
er, but constantly increasing numbers
avail themselves of the advantages to
be derived from the education of their
children in the schools conducted under
the supervision of foreigners. Wealthy
parents usually employ private tutors,
but the girls are almost invariably ex-
cluded and usually are not taught to
read.
In 1888 an English school was started
at Seoul and was kept open for a few
years. Many of the most capable inter
prefers now in the employ of the gov
eminent acquired their knowledge of
English in this school The Koreans are
very quick in gaining a knowledge of
foreign languages and many of the pu-
1c S17TnriCinO in
this direction.
In 1885 a school was started in the
city under the charge of three teachers
selected by the department of the int
rior at the request of the state depart
ment of the United States in accordance
with repeated requests from the Korean
government. This school was finally
closed in 1894, and some of its former
pupils now hold places of trust and i'm
portance in the government. The mis-
sion of the American Methodist church
maintains a fourishing school here
which was first opened in 1886 under
the name of Pal Chat ("hall for rear
ing useful men''), a name conferred
upon the school by the king. Under an
agreement made with the Korean gov
eminent in 1895, certain number of
pupils are placed IN this school, an al
lowance of 81 silver per month being
made for each. In addition the govern
ment also pays for a native teacher for
every so scholars. The course of study,
discipline, etc, is entirely in the hands
of the mission and attendance at chapel
and Sunday service is compulsory. A
highly appreciative course of lectures
has been a feature of the institution
during the past two years, delivered by
Koreans who had lived much abroad.
The course of study is sufficiently ample
to fit those SO desiring for regular col
lege course.
Seoul has another American school,
taught by the Rev. H. B. Hubert one
of the teachers sent from America in
1886. It was started in 1897 and was
intended by the government to be a
normal school for the training of native
teachers. who would take charge of
primary schools for the people. In con-
nection with thjs normal school the
government has established school for
the teaching of English to the sons of
the mobiles. Mr.. Hubert has a five
years contract with the government,
enc year of which has passed. The nor
NAL students are housed and fed by the
government, and the English students
are given their midday meal.
There are also Chinese, japanese,
French, Russian, German and English
schools in Seoul all under the fostering
care of the government. There are be-
sides the various Protestant and Catho-
lie mission schools, which are all treated
not only with tolerance, but with liber-
atty by the ruling powers. There is
no complaint of religious intolerance
such as has retarded the progress of
civilization in many more pretentious
nations.
Fostering education as the Koreans
do, they promise in the near future to
become equally advanced with the jap
anese in their progressive march to a
highly civilized state. They are lust as
receptive of foreign ideas, as quick to
learn and as intellectually capable
Should the United States become estab-
lished in the east as q territorial power,
think the Americans can count upon
the friendship Of the Koreans.
GEORGE HAMILTON.