New-York tribune., 1909-12-08
orErNs IT N coREA

Nine sonnrag's name has been men
toned quite frequently during the last few
weeks in the American press as the only
foreign woman holding sny Official position
p, the imperial court or Cores. in connec-
tion with ridiculo story sbout Mrs
Nicholas Lcngworths visit 70 Seoul pub
lisfed az Berlin by = German woman Uho
describes herself as having been grand mis-
rress of the ceremonies 40 IN. court o-
Cores- but OF whom none Of the foreign
residents q Seoul have ever heard Nine
sonntsg. who Is en- extraordinary character
is now quite an elderly body, snow white
hair. and is greatly respected az Seoul
by foreigners and natives alike She first
came 20 Seoul many years ago as the
cook Of one OF the foreign consuls and in
those days she was an Alsatian who had
retained the French nationality
The Emperor OF Cores vas wont TO give
an occasional banquet 70 the foreign repre-
sentstives. and as he was anxious 70 place
before them meal cooked European
fashion he caused inquiries 20 be made as
10 whether there vas any foreign cook in
seoul who could be hired for the purpose
Nine Sonntag's employer placed her at the
disposal OF the court. and the first banquet
passed on with great eclat. Nine Som
tags culinary masterpieces tickling the
palates not only OF the foreign guests out
also OF the native dignitaries. From that
time her services were always invoked on
these occasions Then her employer was
transferred 10 some other post: and learn
Ing this, the Coresn court. anxious 10 pre-
Vent her departure. offered 10 retain her
services and placed at her disposal small
cottage within the palace precincts
A.l
there she happened TO meet the Emperor.
All the Coreans around her fell fat on their
faces or knelt low. with their heads bowed
down IN his presence Nine. Sonntag. how
ever. remained standing, smiled amisbly
at him, and, addressing him In the kind
OF kitchen corean which she had picked
ID, told him IL was no wonder that his
servants could not look him in the face,
owing 20 the manner in which they robbed
him. Now. the unfortunate Emperor OF
Corea Is not without a sense Of humor.
He took fancy 20 Nine. Sonntag and
asked her a number of questions. her re-
plies pleasing him so much thar ne gave
orders that she should have a better house
and larger stipend. BY degrees she be
came a sort OF commissary general and
hOusekeeper IN chief Of the imperial palace.
and was intruSted with the boarding Of all
its inmates. thousands in number. Instead.
however. OF living any longer I'm the palace
she was placed by the Emperor in pos
session OF a small pal4cs outside. which she
was required 10 hold in readiness for the
reception % distinguished foreign guests
and where Admiral AleSeff, the former
Viceroy OF Manchuria; the late Prince
Ito and many others were housed and en-
tertsined by her IN behalf OF the En-.
peror when AZ Seoul.
knowing that she had access az ali times
10 the Emperor. and enjoyed With him the
most perfect freedom Of speech, she now
became courted BY the foreign envoys. and.
n fact by all who had any favor or infor-
nation 10 obtain from the monarch. II Is
greatly 10 the credit OF the old woman that
she never abused her position, and that al
though known IN Seoul as all-poWerful. she
conducted herself with so much tact and
discretion that she managed 10 retain the
most absolute confidence. respect and good
p-iu OF the Emperor and of all the native
dignitaries. as well as OF the foreign Off
Gals and residents.
The only irritation that she excited was
a. one time on the part OF the French,
when In Difference 70 the persussions OF old
Baron Won Salderr. the German Envoy,
Who was . great character and universally
beloved she transferred her allegiance
from France 70 Germany. As mentioned
above. she is the only foreign woman Who
has ever been employed by the court Of
Corea. with the exception Of the Hon
Mrs. Percy syuge. sister OF the late Lord
Abinger. who was FOR q time physician 10
the women OF the imperial family, but who
LEFT Corea more than ten yesrs ago and
mas never been there since
MAROJIsE DE FONTENOT.