Evening star., 1899-03-11


his benefactions. liberal supporter of
the eleemosynary and philanthrnpic insti-
tutions. his reputation spread in Seoul. the
beautiful capital of Corea. Here he has
already developed his generous spirit and
has not only himself contributed TO the re
lief Of thu poor but has given substantial
Encouragement to his young brother. of
whom he is very fond, to follow his cX
ample. f1e does this unosteEtatiuusiy. and
lately merely explained. I've admire your
country; we take advantage Of Your col
l@ge and school facilities and oar people
have the happiest and most cordial rela-
tons with the United States.'
The Corenn Government.
The Corean government has been some
times adverted to as a kingdom. ard this
conception of its status even appears on
several maps of the world. Eir. Cl0ng I<i
1e, recently, speaking of the confusion Of
authorities this point, explained TO me
how il happened Briefly summed up Il is
was his statement:
about four thousand TWO hundred and
thirty-two years ago the first King of CO.
rea, Dankin. reigned. After that TIM Ihsre
were eight countries that constituted CO.
rea, and later this number was reduced un-
til there We're only these, viz. one called
Mahan, second called Chinhan. and
third called Ptong Han, and one island in
the southern sea of Cored, called Tamna,
or QualpGrt. Now. these four have become
merged into one. II was on the 18th of
October, 1897, that 20.GG0,000 inhabitants Of
Corea memorialiZed the throne and several
times begged his majesty, the King of
Corea, to assume The title of Emperor of
Corea. His majesty accepted and pro-
claimed himself as emperor and after that
his majesty changed the name of the coun-
try to Han. The government notified the
other countries of the treaty existing be-
tween them and they acknowledged it;
therefore, ii is entitled to be called an en-
pire instead of kingdom"
The Youngest Son.
The life of the legation is the younger
son of the minister, Chong We Ye But
thirteen years old, he has displayed quail
ties which clearly outstrip the majority of
boys of his age in this country. Natural
sharp Wit, keen observation, close study,
quick grasp of situations, re:entive men,
CRY, well-developed reasoning faculties,
bright, lively temperament and marked po-
l!teness unite to give promise of a bright
future for him.
He understands English almost as well as
his neichbors, never stumbling in this re-
Spcct save over bad chirography or words
of exceptionally rare usage, and is of in
valuable assistance TO his parents, for he
can interpret as rapidly as they can speak
in Corean. The minister. however has pro-
gresssd with his knowledge of our Ian
suage, and frequently converses with those
whom he knows well without recourse TO
Chong We Ye usually accompanies his
father on his social visits and likes the
atmosphere of the drawing room and the
parior, where, usually clad in military
uniform, he moves about with the inde-
pendence of his elders. His Chesterfieldian
manners are inbred, and he Is as gallant
and chivalrous as any ideal whom milady
might picture. His parents idolize him
for he is devotion itself to them. At school
he has made friends by the score He is
pupil in the sixth grade at the Deuison
building, and is proud of an assured ad-
vancement over grade to the grammar
school next year, as the result of private
training after school hours. Like his father
he is fond of the outdoor air. and is quite
as apt at games as his youthful American
associates. The young fellow is generous
to a fault, but occasionally resents being
imposed upon. Once some comrades taunt-
ed him while at play, and finally made him
angry. Rushing to a telephone, it is said
he called up police station. Briefly recit-
ing the provocation, he demanded that a
policeman be sent to arrest the offending
lad. A hoarse laugh came over the phone
well, IL you won't send up retorted
Chong We. ''Fn see to 1t myself" And he
rushed back to the scene of action
Il presume" said the talkative man to
his meek-looking neighbor in the train,
from your manner and convers sation, that
you have family ties?"
Yes" replied the other, IT suppose you
might as well call 'em that. buy 'em for
myself. but my wife and the girls wear 'em
whenever they feel like it."-Pearson's
Weekly.