The log cabin Democrat., 1916-05-06

VI SEOO1
 after the work is done The bridges are usually of stone, we'll built and durable. No mortar or cement seems to be used, but the cut stones are fit. ted rather carefully. On many of the bridges in the city stone pillars are carved to grotesque animal forms at the top.
 The royal palaces have seen their days of glory. The one most used by the late king was the north palace Some of the buildings are gone, some are neglected. The two most interest ing were the great audience hall and the pavilion by the lotus pond Ap- proach to the audience hall was strict ly regulated. There were nine grades of officers. each with two degrees The paved way leading up to the audience hall was evenly spaced by pairs of stone posts, one on either side, eighteen pairs in all; each pair indicated the distance to which one grade of official might approach on occasions of cere- mony. The pavilion is a large rec tangular building, open at the sides below; the floor of the second story Is supported by metal capped granite columns, typical Korean construction Here in good weather the ruler and his guests enjoyed music and dancing and the beauties of the fine lotus pond. This year these palace grounds were utilized for the notable industrial ex- hibition, commemorating and illus trating five years of the new admin. istration of the country
 Useful Stone Monsters.
 The old gate of entrance to the pal ace grounds still stands, facing south at the sides of which are two strange stone monsters, worship of which would surely break no commandment of the decalogue. These uncouth crea- lures have a story, of course. It seems that when this north palace was first built it was damaged by fire coming from the south. By the way, north in Korea is the best quarter; it is benef- icent. Repairing the damage was time wasted; fire came again and again At last these stone monsters were con- structed and set up facing the south point of danger. From that time on the danger ceased.
 With Japanese influence, immigra. tion, administration, there has grown up within the city definite Japanese section. Japan street is strongly char acteristic. The change is instant. One passes from Korea to Japan in a mo- ments time. Dress. language, aspect, shops, goods, movements, manners all are different.
 With the Japanese has come the jinrikisha vogue. On the whole the Korean has not taken very kindly to the little cart.
 Korean Shop Displays.
 In the old days the few wide streets of Seoul were crowded by the shops. All the early visitors dilate upon this and find 1t disagreeable. Korean shops, like oriental shops in gen. eral, are open to the losses and the shopkeeper mourns his once proud dis play. The shops are not as whole of great interest. There are shoe shops, hat shops, basket shops, seed and grain shops, and the like. These are true selling shops. Then there are carpenter shops and coffin shops and timers chimney shops, where the work goes on as well as sales.
 One of the most curious is the we'd ding and funeral outtitter's. His is a rental, not sales place. It is only a few feet in frontage and here the stock still encroaches on the street. Here are the things necessary for the two great family ceremonies. Here are great wooden candles, carved with dragons, birds and flowers, all gaudy with painting; here are wooden geese the goose being a symbol of con- jugal happiness; here are the two boys, heavenly messengers" bringing felicity; here are bottomless chairs for ancestral spirits to occupy on an- niversares. Inside are other things all to rent cheaply, always in evidence, though perhaps more so at the New Year season (Feb. 4 this year. than at other times.