Korea (Hamilton)

KOREA

BY

ANGUS HAMILTON

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

WITH A NEWLY PREPARED MAP

AND NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS

SECOND EDITION

LONDON

WILLIAM HEINEMANN

1904

First Edition, January 1904

Second Edition, February 1904

TO
MY MOTHER

TABLET IN SEOUL

Korea

By Angus Hamilton

Some Press Opinions

The Academy. — "A timely book: a well-considered, matured and informing work by a man who knows the country from end to end, and can put pictures on paper with consummate ease. Under his guidance Korea opens before us as a land of mystery and marvel — the 'Hermit Kingdom' in very sooth. The Court, the country, the people, the princes, the trade, and the native temperament are so simply and straightforwardly described that henceforward Korea would seem to be almost as familiar as St. James' Street. No small credit is due to Mr. Hamilton in this matter; a more elaborate and erudite work would probably have failed in its object, but by its very frankness and directness the book is convincing and obviously right. . ."

The Times. — "In the chapters dealing with the treaty ports, the finances, and the commercial prospects of Korea, Mr. Hamilton has collected a great deal of useful information in an attractive and readable form."

The Manchester Guardian. — "Mr. Hamilton writes pleasantly on a large number of subjects — Court scandal, the life of the capital, and of the treaty ports."

The World. — "The results of his personal observations during a long residence in the Far East as representative of the Pall Mall Gazette, reinforced by information derived from other qualified authorities on the subject, have enabled Mr. A. Hamilton to produce a volume on Korea which may fairly be called exhaustive, and which will be specially welcome and useful at the present moment."

Birmingham Daily Post. — "Mr. A. Hamilton's book 'Korea' comes at an opportune moment, and deserves to be read by every one desirous of understanding in a clear and intelligent manner the present situation in the far East. The book gives a full and graphic description of the Korean Archipelago, otherwise known as the Hermit Kingdom or the Land of the Morning Radiance; its people, their manners and customs, their trades and industries, their resources and prospects, and at the same time considerable information on the existing crisis. A work of helpful reference, 'Korea' is also an interesting and entertaining work of travel in the Far East."

Globe. — "It is freely and usefully illustrated by reproductions from photographs, and it has the attraction of being thoroughly up-to-date in its information."

New York Herald. — "Mr. Hamilton's volume may be commended to the reader, who will find in it a mine of information of topical interest and many diverting studies of demi-semi-civilisation under very curious conditions.

Nottingham Daily Express. — "A book that is likely to be read with a great deal of interest. . . In all respects the volume ought to rank high amongst works of its class. It is printed and bound beautifully, there are plenty of pictures to show what the author wishes to convey to his readers, and a newly prepared map adds to the value of it for all readers who are taking any interest in the negotiations at present progressing."

CONTENTS

Introduction

The Position of Russia in Manchuria—Comparative Estimate of Naval and Military Resources of Russia, Japan, and Korea Pp. xvii–xli

Chapter I

Off the coast—Lack of survey intelligence—Island flora—Forgotten voyagers—Superstitions and beliefs—Outline of history Pp. 1–12

Chapter II

Physical peculiarities—Direction of advancement—Indications of reform and prosperity—Chemulpo—Population—Settlement—Trade Pp. 13–23

Chapter III

Move to the capital—A city of peace—Results of foreign influence—In the beginning—Education—Shops—Costume—Origin—Posts and telegraphs—Methods of cleanliness Pp. 24–42

Chapter IV

The heart of the capital—Domestic economy—Female slavery—Standards of morality—A dress rehearsal Pp. 43–58

Chapter V

The Court of Korea—The Emperor and his Chancellor—The Empress and some Palace factions Pp. 59-69

Chapter VI

The passing of the Emperor—An Imperial pageant Pp. 70–80

Chapter VII

Sketch of Mr. McLeavy Brown—The Question of the Customs—The suggested Loan Pp. 81–93

Chapter VIII

Foreign action in Korea—Exhausted Exchequer—Taxes—Budgets—Debased currency—The Dai Ichi Ginko—Dishonest officials Pp. 94–107

Chapter IX

Education—Arts and graces—Penal code—Marriage and divorce—The rights of concubines—Position of children—Government Pp. 108–116

Chapter X

Farmers—Farming and farm animals—Domestic industries—Products—Quality and character of food-stuffs Pp. 117–127

Chapter XI

Japan in Korea—Historical associations—In Old Fusan—Political and economic interests—Abuse of paramountcy Pp. 128–137

Chapter XII

The commercial prospects of Korea—Openings to trade—Requirements of markets—Lack of British enterprise Pp. 138–147

Chapter XIII

British, American, Japanese, French, German, and Belgian interests—Railways and mining fictions—Tabled counterfeited Imports Pp. 148–169

Chapter XIV

Some account of the treaty ports; Won-san, Fusan, Mok-po—Character of export and import trade—Local industries Pp. 170–181

Chapter XV

Treaty ports (continued)—Wi-ju—Syön-chyön-po—Chin-am-po—Pyöng-yang—Kun-san—Syöng-chin Pp. 182–191

Chapter XVI

Russian interests—Russia and Japan—Ma-san-po—Ching-kai-wan—Yong-an-po Pp. 192–206

Chapter XVII

By the wayside—A journey inland to Tong-ko-kai—Inland beauties Pp. 207–215

Chapter XVIII

The German mines—Mineralogy and methods of mining—A bear hunt—With gun and rifle Pp. 216–225

Chapter XIX

The monks and monasteries of the Diamond Mountains—The Temple of Eternal Rest—The Temple of the Tree of Buddha—Buddhism Pp. 226–240

Chapter XX

The abomination of desolation—Across Korea—The east coast—Fishing and filth Pp. 241–252

Chapter XXI

Drought—Starvation—Inland disturbances—Rainfall and disease Pp. 253–260

Chapter XXII

The missionary question—Ethics of Christianity—Cant and commerce—The necessity for restraint Pp. 261–269

Chapter XXIII

Inland journeying—Ponies, servants, interpreters, food and accommodation—What to take and how to take it—Up the Han River, frolic and leisure Pp. 270–283

Chapter XXIV

Kang-wha, brief history of the island—A monastic retreat, an ideal rest—Nocturnal visitors—Midnight masses—Return to the capital—Preparations for a great journey—Riots and confusion Pp. 284–300

Appendix I

Schedule of train service P. 301

Appendix II

Return of all shipping entered at the open ports of Korea during the year 1902 Pp. 302–304

Appendix III

Return of principal articles of export to foreign countries from the open ports of Korea during the years 1901–1902 P. 305

Appendix IV

Return of principal articles of imports to foreign countries during the years 1901–1902 P. 306

Appendix V

Coast trade between treaty-ports in native produce (net) P. 307

Appendix VI

Customs revenue P. 307

Appendix VII

Gold export to foreign countries P. 308

Appendix VIII

Table of minerals P. 309

ILLUSTRATIONS

Ceiling, Imperial Palace, Seoul	Cover
Tablet in Seoul	Frontispiece
	PAGE
Devil Post outside Seoul	1
Guardian of a grave	9
Independence Arch	11
Pagoda at Seoul	12
A moment of leisure	13
At the Wells	17
Chemulpo	21
Pavilion on the wall of the Capital	23
Hen-seller	24
Not one whit Europeanised	33
A side alley	35
Native dress	37
They wear the Chang-ot	38
A study in hats	39
Means of locomotion	42
A Sang-no	43
White-coated, white-socked population	45
She may visit her friends	47
A middle-class family	49
In winter costume	51
A palace concubine	53
Dancing women of the Court	55
Boys	58
His Imperial Highness, Prince Yi-Cha-sun	69
His Imperial Majesty the Emperor	60
The Hall of Audience, Seoul	64
Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess	67
A minor Royalty	69
Within the Palace grounds, Seoul	72
Imperial Throne, Seoul	74
Imperial Tablet-House, Seoul	77
An Imperial pavilion, Seoul	79
Mr. J. McLeavy Brown, C.M.G., LL.D.	82
British Legation, Seoul	88
The Imperial Library, Seoul	94
A Seoul gate	107
Justice is not tempered with mercy	113
Children of the lower class	115
The Korean and his bull	119
A spade furnished with ropes	121
Pounding grain	122
Carrying produce to market	123
Japanese Cavalry	128
The Guard of the Japanese Legation, Seoul	131
H.M.S. Astrea	137
Brick laying extraordinary	145
The Consulting-room of Miss Cooke	155
A railway siding	169
In New Fusan	177
Palace Gateway	180
Chemulpo	185
On the Yalu River	197
Chinese Encampment	203
Beyond the Capital	208
Woodland Glades	209
Country Carts	213
A pitched battle	215
A summer pleasaunce	224
The Abbot of Chang An Sa	227
The Abbot of Yu Chom Sa	233
Yu Chom Sa	237
An Altar-piece	239
Shin Ki Sa	243
The Abbot and Monks of Chang An Sa	245
A Fair Magician	251
Without the walls of Seoul	253
The Temple of Heaven, Seoul	255
An Imperial summer house, erected to mark the spot where the corpse of the late Queen was burned by the Japanese	260
A bridge scene in Seoul	261
The streets are magnificent	268
Beyond the Amur	281
On the Han River	282
Washing clothes in a drain	284
A day of festival	291
Russian post on the Korean Frontier	297

This work was published before January 1, 1930, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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