New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-02

on, LIFE IL COREA. BY / II. UNDERWOOD.
EiIinwood. D. D. Ii. D. Illustrated. svo.. PIP.
XVII. 81 The American Tract Society
Mainly a record Of missionary endeavor and
achievement in Corea during the last fifteen
years. this volume yet contains much Of general
and timely interest. Mrs. Underwood has long
been q resident Of Seoul She was in the Co
rean capital at the time OF its occupation by
the japanese IN the war Of 1S94-'s5. ana she was
a close observer Of the exciting events that fol-
lovved-the assassination OF :he Queen. the i'm
prisonnent Of the King in the palace, his es-
cape TO the Russian Legation. the ssnguinary
reaction against the pro-Japanese element In
the government and the subsequent popular up
rising against the predonainance Of Russian in
nuence at the re-esta blished court. An enthusi-
asst wherever the unfortunate Queen is con-
cerned. she is outspoken in her indignation
against the policy that took root through her
murder. while her simple chronicle Of events
makes plain the ease with which Russia has
since swsyed the court. The King rem ined at
the legation for a year. and those about him
played their cards well:
lie was treated with the truest courtesy. for
instead OF being in any way ooerced or infiu-
enced for the benefit of Russian interests he
was allowed the most perfect liberty and inter
fered with ia particular. To such an extent
cid the true gentleman who acted as the King
host carry his scruples that he refused TO ad-
quested TO do
Thus Russian diplomacy. Passing strange
and ungrateful that there should have arisen, If
not IN the King among many of his subjects,
profound DISTRICT Of Russia, distrust that first
had expression in the demand that the King
should return 10 the palace. Then followed an
era OF corruption. and Mrs. Underwood draws a
vivid picture Of the steps taken by the "lnde-
pendence Club" Cthe "Corea for the Coreans'
party to provoke reforms. Mass meetings
were dispersed at the bayonet point, and the
Independents" resolved on the extreme step OF
camping in front OF the palace and remaining
there until their petitions were granted.
Thousands Of men sat there quietly. night and
day. for fourteen days waiting TO be heard 1t
a thrilling and impressive sight. There was
nothing laughable about those rows Of silent,
patient, determined citizens. Many had their
food brought to them some had little booths or
tents where they prepared meals or slept, while
others watched and waited. a few went away TO
take food, only to return as speedily as possible
The people had come to the palace to stay I'M
til an answer could be had from the King.
The Kings answer was an attack on the
petitioners by the ''Peddlers' the powerful
secret organization Of which something has been
heard recently, an6 which this writer calls
"a rufianly body Of men" The Independents"
were routed in two battles but persevered until
a charge was brought that they were conspir-
ing TO establish a republic and elect president;
the government forthwith confscated their
buildings and other property. Thus, for the
time at least writes Mrs. Underwood, ended
what looked like the beginnings Of revou-
ton"
The author first went TO Corea as a medical
missionary. and from the time she landed at
Chemulpo. the most forbidding and unsightly
place in Corea." her services appear to have
been in constant demand. Never more than
er,o;c ~
cholera, to which thousands OF "Top-Knots" fell
victims. The Americans Of Seoul were TO the
fore in fighting the disease. and after the plague
had spent itself the government prompt in
recognition Of their services. Mrs. Underwood
is surprised that cholera is not epidemic in Corea
every year. "An sewage" she tells US. runs
into filthy, narrow bitches. which are frequently
stopped up with refuse to overflow into
the streets. green, Shiny pools OF water lie
disturbed in courtyards and long the sides OF
the roads, wells polluted with drainage from
soiled apparel washed close by, quantities of
decaying vegetable matter are thrown out and
left 10 rot on the thoroughfares and under the
windows Of the houses II must not be for
gotten however. that as Mr. Hamilton has
pointed out in his recent book sanitary improve
ments have OF late been making Roadway in
Seoul Mrs Underwood records the comment
Of a Corean nohleman who had been to America
and was asked how he liked New-York: "Oh.
very well. except the dirt and the smells. which
were horrible"
The earlier portion Of the volume is largely
given over to an account OF the writer's wedding
trip. novelty in Homogeneous. 1t was a two
months Journey into the interior. and Mrs.
Underwood was the first white woman 10 vent
ure on what was in theory and reality a peril
Gus undertaking. She and her husband Lad
many adventures. their lives being endangered
more than once. The story OF their wanderings
is told without elaboration, and gives one fair
~ good insight into the customs and manners OF
tie inland Coreans.