The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-16

"hOh - ~ "oo bIo ihB ~ L
yang she had n part of a house and q yard NOM
inally to herself. but of course she was an object
of much curiosity. The people in general were
requested by her native courier to move on"
but he made an exception in favor Of the gesanR.
upon whose presence he looked approvingly.
and took for granted that his employer did. 1t
seems that Phy6ng-yang has been famous i'm
memorially for the beauty and accomplishments
OF its xesanR. These singing and dancing girls
resemble in many respects the geishas of Japan.
but they differ in one particular. namely.
they belong for the most part to the Govern
ment, and are supported by tho Corean
Treasury. At the time of Mrs. Bishops first
%sojourn in Seoul, about seventy of them were
attached to the Royal Palace. and they were
under the control of the same department as
that with which tho official physicians were
connected. AS q poor man, possessed Of many
sons for whom he cannot provide, sometimes
presents one to the Government to DO mado a
eunuch, SO he may give up one Of his girls to be
made q gesnng. She Is then trained from n very
early age in such accomplishments as respect
abe Corean women lack, accomplishments
which will insure their attractiveness, such as
playing on various musical instruments. singing.
dancing. reading, writing, reciting and fancy
work. AS her destiny is to mako time pass
agreeably for men Of the upper classes. this
amount Of education is essential for her. while.
on the other hand. n Corean does not caro-
how blank and undeveloped may be the mind of
his wife. The gesang are always elegantly
dressed. and. as they have not known scclusion.
their manners with both soxes have a graceful
ease. Their dancing consists chiefly Of postur.
ing, and Mrs. Bishop was assured by those for
eigners who had seen 1t that it is entirely free
from impropriety. Our author quotes from the
Korean Repository for 1886 the description of a
up.oallnl ss latina 4 ~ n n - ranfnrpna "A ~ the Da..l
Palace. A tub was brought in containing a
largo lotus flower just ready to burst open. Two
imitation storks then entered. each one being a
man very clevorly disguised. These birds tapped
their wings. snapped their beaks. and danced
around. expressing. by their gestures. admira-
tlon OF the beautiful bud which they. evidently,
intended to pluck as soon as they should have
enjoyed 1t thoroughly in anticipation. Their
movements, all the time. were very graceful,
and they came closer and closer 10 the flower,
keeping time TO soft music. At last. the proper
time having arrived. the flower was plucked,
whom. as the pink petals fell back, out stepped a
little gcsang, TO the apparent amazement of the
storks. and to the intense delight Of the younger
spectators. The "Sword and Dragon" dances
are also extremely popular. and. on great occa-
sions. tho performance Is never complete with
out throwing the ball." which consists In
a series of graceful arm movements before
a painted arch. after which tho gesang
march In procession before the King and the
successful dancers receive presents. Though,
as we have said. the most beautiful and attrao-
tive gesang come from P~hyong-yang. they arc
found throughout the country. From the King
down to tho lowest official who can afford the
luxury, their presence is regarded at every on.
tertaInment as indispensable to the enjoyment
OF the guests. They appear at official dinners
at tho Foreign Office and at the palace; they
sing and dance at the many parties which arc
given by Coreans at the picnic resorts near
S.oul. and. though attached to the procedures
and various other Government departments.