\ TRANSLATION: NOTES ON THE IMPERIAL CHINESE MISSION COREA. 18 9 0 . COMPILED BY A Private Secretary of the Imperial Commissioners. SHANGHAI : TRANSLATION. On the 17th day of the 4th moon of the 16th year of Kwang Hsu (4th June, 1890) between the hours of one aud three p.m. “ Grand” Queen Dowager Chao, of Corea, died at the age of eighty-three. She was the consort of the Crown Prince “ Hsiao Ming”* Li Ying. Li Ying died early and never reigned. His son Li Hwan succeeded to the Throne, but he also died prematurely, leaving no issue to succeed him. The Royal Household elected as his successor his uncle Li Ping, who also died prematurely, leaving no heir. Hence the Royal Family chose as his successor his nephew Li Hsi, who is the reigning King of Corea. Iu the year when Li Hwan assumed government he, in a memorial to the Imperial Throne, besought and obtained from the Chinese Emperor the favour of conferring on his deceased father Li Ying the honorific posthumous title of “ King ” and of registering, iu the Book of Records, the name of his mother as “ Queen.” Subsequently King Hwan himself couferred on Queen Chao the title of “ Queen Dowager,” aud this title was raised to “ Grand ” Queen Dowager when King Li Ping came to the Throne. In pursuance of the laws of the country Queen Dowager Chao then became Queen Regent of Corea. The present King Li Hsi is a great-grandson of Queen Dowager Chao, but according to family genealogy, he is her adopted son. In the latter capacity the King mourned her death. On the 29th day of the 8th moon (Oct. 12th, 1890),— five months from the date of death, — the remains of Queen Dowager Chao were entombed in the mausoleum containing those of her Consort-king Li Ying, distant ten miles from the East Gate of the capital — Soul. Heretofore, whenever a death occurred calling for national mourning, it had been the usage to despatch messengers to Peking to report the event. The Queeu Dowager died this year. The King, in conformity with established usage, issued orders, the second day after the event, that interpreters be despatched by the Prefect of I-chow to Fung-hwang city to report the event to the Garrison Major of the Manchu Baunermen there ; aud twenty days after her death, the King himself deputed as messenger to Peking Hung Chung-yung, f a Ptoyal Chamberlain having the rank of Vice- President of a Board ; and appointed as his Secretary Chao Ping- * “Hsiao Ming,” Filial and Illustrious. t Hung Chung-yung’s position corresponding to Secretary of the Inner Council of China ; Chao Ping-sheng’s corresponding to the Chinese Hanlin Reviser. 2 sheriff, a Roval Reviser of Records of the oth rank and also three official interpreters of the first and second rank to accompany him. This mission, after being provided with two copies of the King’s memorial to the Chinese Emperor and his communication to the Board of Rites, proceeded on its journey to Peking on the 24th of the 5th moon (-July 10th, 1890) to annouuce the Queen Dowager’s death, arriving there on the 8th day of the 8th moon (September 21st, 1890). The following duy the Vice-President and a Secretary of the Board of Rites, in full dress, repaired to the Reception Hall of their Board. There they stood facing south when receiving the Corean Mission. The Corean Messenger after being ushered in by the Board’s Interpreters, delivered, in a kneeling position, the three documents he had in his possession. The Secretary of the Board received these documents and placed them on a table. At the close of the proceeding the Board’s Interpreters conducted the Corean Messenger out of the Hall. The Vice-President opened aud read the King’s communication. He also corrected and put into a proper form the King’s memorial and presented it to the Throne, accompanied by a memorial of his own. The King’s memorial read as follows : — “ Your servant, Li Hsi, King of Corea, respectfully reports the demise of his Mother Queen Chao on the 17th day of the 4th moon of the 16th year of Kwang Hsu (June 4th, 1890). He now kneels before Your Majesty in great perturbation and awe. “ Your servant considers his small kingdom indeed most un- fortunate by reason of this calamity, at which he feels very sad at heart. “ As mourning has now befallen your servant, he respectfully reports the fact to Your Majesty. He, moreover, has no alternative but to ask that Your Majesty be considerate to him. “ Your servant is now extremely restless. He respectfully submits this report for Your Majesty’s information. “This report is submitted by the King of Corea, Li Hsi, on the 24th day of the 5th moon of the 16th year of Kwang Hsii (July 10 th, 1890).” The Corean Messenger, after being conducted out of the Board of Rites, returned to his residence. He subsequently tendered to that Board the following petition : — Hung Chung-yung, the leader of the Mission deputed by the King of Corea to China to report the death of the Queen Dowager submits the following petition for the favourable consideration of the Throne : — “ Our country is a small kingdom and a vassal state of China, to which the Emperor has shown his graciousness from time immemorial. Political troubles prevailed in 1882 and 1884. Our government was able to survive them through the assistance received from the Throne, which secured for our country peace and tranquillity. Truly the Imperial favours bestowed on us have been many and they have given us new life. “After a period of mourning and anarchy our country was plunged into famine and dearth, causing a dispersal of our people. “During the past sis or seven years the condition of our country has been made worse. Added to this, another misfortune has befallen us in the death of Our “ Queen Dowager,” “ Kang Muh,” * which has now plunged us into mourning and sorrow — a misfortune not within our power to avert. “ Out of respect to the wishes of the late Queen Dowager that the people of the eight provinces should be shown every consideration for their embarrassed condition, the King has freed his people from the taxation which heretofore was levied from the villages and hamlets for the discharge of the Royal funeral expenses. This step was taken to enable the people to recover from their present state of embarrassment. While having waived the taxation of the people, he has decided to curtail the funeral expenses in every particular. “In view of the despatch by the Emperor of Commissioners to Corea to convey his Message of Condolence — an extraor- dinarily kind act — could we feel otherwise than grateful p We are, however, afraid that when the Commissioners come to our country we might on account of our straitened circumstances be unable to carry out all the ceremonies required of us and thereby offend China. It is better, therefore, that we explain our situation at this juncture rather than incur any censure afterwards. “Since His Majesty has been good enough to confer favours upon us and to extend his sympathy to every part of our country, we should make kuown to him whatever we desire, and whatever we wish we trust he will allow, as to an infant trusting to the tender mercies of his parents. * “ Kang Muh,” Sound and Profound, 4 11 1 beg (lie Honourable Board of Rites to take note of the facts I have set forth in the foregoing petition and submit them to the Throne. In case His Majesty issues a message for Corea, I, your humble servant, will convey it to my country with care and respect, and thereby save the trouble of dispatching Commissioners for the purpose. If this be granted, it would indeed be an extraordinary favour, which would evoke my sincerest gratitude. This communication is respectfully handed to the Board of Rites. 5 ’ On the 24th day of the 8th moon (Oct. 7th, 1890) the Board of Rites sent a memorial to the Throne embodying the text of the petition of the Corean Messenger. The following day the Privy Council announced that they were in receipt of a Decree from the Throne : — “ That the Emperor acknowledges the receipt of the Memorial of the Board of Rites with reference to the pleadings of the Corean Messenger — sent to announce the death of the Queen Dowager. It is asked that the Throne would refrain, in this instance, from sending Commissioners to Corea to offer condolence on the death of the Queen Dowager of Corea. The petition goes on to say that owing to successive years of mourning, anarchy and famine, Corea is reduced to financial embarrassment, and that in conse- quence the funeral expenses in connection with the death of the Queen Dowager are to be curtailed in every detail. That if We send Commissioners to Corea to offer con- dolence, there was a fear on the part of Corea that she might fail to carry out all the ceremonies required of her and thereby commit an offence. The Corean Messenger . has accordingly requested that the Imperial Message of Condolence be entrusted to him for transmission to Corea, &c. “ The report of the Corean Messenger, that Corea is in a distressed condition, is accepted as true. The kingdom of Corea has, for ages past, considered itself a vassal state of China, and has^received favours and courtesies at our hands. “ The despatch of Commissioners to Corea to offer condolence, when such an occasion as this demands, is prescribed for in our Records of Usage, and should always be carried out. It is to show' that we cherish sympathy for our vassal state on such occasions, and has a special significance as exhibit- ing the nature of our relations. For this reason how can 5 a modification of our usage in the despatch of Com- missioners be made with consistency ? Bearing, however, the fact in mind, that Corea during recent years has had to meet heavy financial engagements which have reduced her to financial embarrassment, we are obliged to depart from some of the old established practices in the sending of a Mission of Condolence. This we do to show that we cherish extraordinary compassion for our vassal state. Hitherto our Missions to Corea have travelled overland by way of the Eastern frontier. After entering Corea, the Mission had to pass more than ten stations before reaching Soul, which involved trouble and expense. Our Mission to Corea this time should adopt a different route. It should proceed from Tientsin to Jenchuan by war vessels of the Northern squadron. When it has discharged its duties in Corea, it shall return to Peking by the same way. By this route, which is temporarily sanctioned in this instance, the distance between Peking and Soul is shortened, and therefore the share of the expenses of the Mission falling on Corea is not much. She is thus saved much of the trouble and expense which she was put to in former years by the Missions travelling overland. When our Mission shall have reached Corea, such ceremonies as should be observed on the part of Corea, shall be carried out — if, in doing so, it does not incur great expense — in accordance with established usage, and these should not in the least be curtailed. For our ever increasing graciousness and regard for the welfare of our vassal state, the King of Corea should feel doubly grateful. Let this Decree be sent to the Board of Rites and the Superintendent of the Northern Ports, and let it be communicated by the Board of Rites to the King of Corea. “ Let this Decree be respected.” This Decree the Board of Rites communicated to the King of Corea, in order that he might abide by the instructions contained therein. On the second day of the 9th moon (Oct. 15, 1890) the Board of Rites memorialized that two Commissioners should be appointed to offer condolence in connection with the demise of the Queen Dowager. The memorial ran thus : — “ Ihe Board of Rites tenders this memorial, having reference to the despatch of Commissioners on a mission of con- dolence to Corea. 6 “ We find that Imperial instructions are recorded in the Regulation Code to the effect that whenever His Imperial Majesty desires to offer condolence on the death of a Corean Queen Dowager, we are to memorialize the Throne for the despatch of two Commissioners, one senior and one junior for the purpose. “ Furthermore that the High Ministers of the Imperial House- hold, the High Ministers of the Imperial Household Guards and those of the Guards of the first order, are eligible for the post of Senior Commissioner and that the Manchu Secretaries of the Inner Council, the Manchu Directors of the National Academy and the Manchu Vice- Presidents of the Board of Rites, are eligible for the post of Junior Commissioner. “We also fiud that in the 23rd year of Tao Kwang, at the demise of the Queen of Corea, we memorialized for the despatch of two Commissioners to offer condolence on behalf of China. In reply we received an Edict directing the Privy Council to furnish a list of the Manchu Vice-Presidents of the Six Boards and the Brigadier Generals of the Eight Banners, so that the Throne might decide who should be appointed Commissioners for the occasion. This was carried out and is on record. “Now the Queen Dowager of Corea having died we should likewise memorialize for the despatch of two Commissioners to offer condolence. While refraining from bringing to Your Majesty’s notice such members of the Yamens and Imperial Guards who, according to regulation, could not be made Commissioners, we submit to Your Majesty a list of officials made out from the lists obtained from the various Yamens with their titles attached, who are members of the various Yamens, and beg that Your Majesty will appoint two of them as Commissioners for the occasion. In this matter we solicit Your Majesty’s Edict.” The same day, after a list of officials were submitted, the Emperor appointed Hsii Chang as Senior Commissioner and Ch'ung Li as Junior Commissioner. The Board of Rites then at once informed the King of Corea of these appointments and also request- ed the Viceroy of Chihli, Superintendent of the Northern Ports, to provide steam vessels for the conveyance of the Commissioners to Corea and to instruct the local officials of the ports en route to extend to them courtesy and assistance. The communication from the Board of Rites to the Superin- tendent of the Northern Ports in this connection read as follows: — The Supervisor of Sacrifices having announced to us the demise of Queen Dowager Chao of Corea, we reported the matter to the Throne. In reply the Throne decreed that the Com- missioners in this instance shall proceed to Corea by water. They are to embark at Tientsin on board war vessels and proceed to Jenchuan, and when the object of their Mission shall have been accomplished, they are to return to Peking by the same route. We have received a memorandum from the Board of Revenue stating that their Senior Vice-President Hsii Ch‘ang and their Junior Vice-President Ch'ung Li have been appointed Commissioners to Corea on a Mission of Condolence and that they have decided to start from Peking on the 17th day of the 10th moon (Nov. 28, 1890) between the hours of nine and eleven a.m. They will embark at Tung-chow for Tientsin, thence take passage by war vessels to Corea. We have deputed Yii Ho and Heng Pei, interpreters of the 6th and 7th rank respectively, to accompany the Commissioners to Corea. Carts, mules, horses, quivers and sabres required by the Commissioners, interpreters and their attendants, we have requested the Board of War to provide in such numbers as are called for by the regulations. The Board of War has also been requested to issue certificates to the Mission to enable it to obtain wherever required whilst en route means of transport — horses, boats, &c. The Imperial Message of Condolence should be carried by a mounted attendant, and the Imperial presents of incense, silks and sycee by pack ponies. Titular boards, symbols of authority, flags and umbrellas, &c., should be carried by mounted attendants. The needful men and horses for their transport have been provided in accordance with the regulations. Escorts have also been provided in accordance with the regulations to accompany the Mission from Peking to Corea. Besides haviug communicated with the competent officials in this connection we con- sider it expedient to also communicate speedily with the Superintendent of the Northern Ports, the Viceroy of Chihli, requesting him to provide war vessels for the conveyance of the Mission to Corea and to instruct the officials at the coast ports en route to attend to the needs and safety of the Mission. This is a necessary communica- 8 Viceroy Li, the Superintendent of the Northern Ports, having received the communication from the Board of War, immediately instructed the local officials en route to see to the needs and safety of the Mission and ordered the war vessels “ Tsi-yuen,” “ Lai-yuen ” and “ Ching-yuen ” of the Northern Fleet to be ready to convey the Mission to Corea. On the 17th day of the 9th moon (Oct. 30, 1890) the two Com- missioners Hsii and Ch‘ung started from Peking and reached Tientsin on the 19th. On the 21st day of the 9th moon Captain Fang Po-ch‘ien of the war vessel “ Tsi-yuen,” was sent ahead to Corea with the official notice that as the Mission was coming the relays of porters and horses, which in accordance with regulations are to be provided by Corea, should he got ready to serve the Mission at the several halting places en route from Jenchuan to Soul. Appended to the official notice was a memorandum stating that the coming Mission had in charge an Imperial Message of Condolence and Imperial presents of incense, silks, sycee, &c., and giving also a description of the number of titular hoards, symbols of authority, flags and umbrellas, together with the number of interpreters and attendants. This official notice with its appended memorandum, together with the Commissioners’ communication to the King, were handed to the Prefect of Jenchuan for transmission to the King. The Commissioners’ communication read as follows : — “We the Imperial Commissioners deputed to convey His Imperial Majesty’s condolence on the demise of the Queen Dowager, were instructed to come, to Corea by water ; em- barking on board war vessels at Tientsin and landing at Jenchuan. Whilst the local officials of the Prefectures, Sub-prefectures and districts and tbe ports en route have been requested to provide, in accordance with usage, relays of men and horses for our use, we have likewise been instructed by His Majesty before our departure from Peking to the effect : “ That after our arrival in Corea, such ceremonies as should be observed are to be strictly carried out according to old regulations and must not, in the least, be curtailed, and that presents from the King to us or to our interpreters in money or articles, are not to be accepted, so that it may be under- stood that His Majesty is considerate to his vassal state, &c. These instructions must be respected.” “ Having received these instructions by Decree we deem it our duty to convey them to you, which instructions you will 9 obey and carry ont. This is a necessary communication.’’ After the issue of the Imperial Decree directing the Commis- sioners to proceed to Corea by water, the Corean Messenger Hung Chung-ynng, then at Peking, telegraphed to the Corean Government the purport of that Decree. On receipt of this telegram the Corean Government on the 16th day of the 9th moon (Oct. 29, 1890) appointed as Receiver of the Chinese Mission Shen Li-tse,* * * § President of the Home Office and Judge of Soul ; as Personal Attendant to the Mission Li Ch‘eng-wu, a General of the Corean Army and President of the Board of Rites ; as Director-General of Reception Min Yung-shang,f a Vice-President of the Home Office and President of the Board of Revenue; as “ Inquirer after Health ” Ch'ftng Ki-yun,+ a Grand Chamberlain and Prefect and Superintendent of Trade of the Jenchuan District; as Leader of Ceremonies Li Shih-chung,§ Sub-prefect of the Shoh- miug district. In addition to the above, there were appointed eleven Petty Receivers, thirteen Petty Attendants, nineteen Supervisors of Wardrobes at the Commissioners’ Residence at Soul, eight first- class Interpreters and twenty-three various official attendants, one Usher and oue General Supervisor; the total number of high and petty officials amounting came to hundred odd. Li Hsien-chih,|| the Metropolitan Governor, directed his sub- ordinate officers at the Prefectures, Sub-prefectures and Districts along the road from Jenchuan to Soul to be ready to receive and wait on the Mission as it arrived within their respective jurisdictions and to see that resting places for the Mission were duly provided with tea, refreshments and relays of attendants, horses and escorts. The Prefect of Jenchuan, Ch'eng Ki-yiin, and the eleven Sub- prefects of the districts of Tung-tsin, &c., under Ki Yiiu’s charge, assembled at Chemulpo and waited for the arrival of the Mission at the Yamen of the Superintendent of Trade, which was repaired for the reception of the Imperial Commissioners and in which they were to stay for the first night after their arrival. At Wu Li-tung,1f where the Commissioners were to make a short halt, the Prefect of the Fu-piug Prefecture, Tsiu Hsi-tou, • Shen Li-tse’s position equivalent in China to first rank, President of the Privy Council aud Metropolitan Prefect. Li Ch'eog-wti’s equivalent in China to second rank, High Minister of the Imperial Household and ex- President of the Board of Rites. t Min Yung-shang’s equivalent in China to second rank, Vice-President of the Privy Council and President of the Board of Revenue, £ Ch'eng Ki-yun’s equivalent in China to third rank, a member of the Inner Council, a Prefect and Superintendent of Trade. § Li Shih-chung’s to fourth rank and Sub-prefect. || Li Hsien-chih’s to first rank, Metropolitan Governor. Tf Wu Li-tung or Oricol, 10 and the eleven Sub-prefects of the districts of Kao-yang, &c., under Hsi Ton’s charge, were in waiting. The houses of the people were put in order for the accommodation of the Mission. At Ma-pu the Prefect of Li-chuen* and the Sub*prefects of the eleven districts, Nan-yang, &c., under the Head Prefect’s charge, were in attendance and there waited for the arrival of the Mission at the “ Hsi Hsin ” Pavilion, which was repaired for its accommo- dation. Near the entrance of the places where the Mission stayed or rested on its journey from Chemulpo to Soul, two yellow flags with the words “ Official Department ” written on each of them, were displayed on red poles. Salutes were fired both at daybreak and at dusk at the places at which the Commissioners passed the night. At all these places fancy matting was laid down between the entrance at which the Commissioners alighted and the Reception Hall. In the compouud was a yellow pavilion for the reception of the Imperial shrine, the incense stands and the Imperial presents. In the centre of this pavilion was an inner enclosure formed by yellow screens, in which was placed the Emperor’s tablet, the incense stands and the Imperial Message of Condolence. Sleeping accommodation was provided in the apartments as- signed to the Commissioners. The chairs were draped with leopard skins and the floor covered with fancy matting. The quarters for the interpreters and body servants were made very clean. Servants were provided for all, and all needs attended to. The roads and bridges from Chemulpo to the “ Nam Pei ” Palace, Soul — 80 li distant from Chemulpo — were repaired, levelled and sufficiently widened to admit of five horses walking abreast. Over the roads was sprinkled yellow gravel, and the local authori- ties along the line of route furnished guards, attendants, symbols of authority and banners. The Prefect of Jenchuan furnished an escort of some hundred or more soldiers armed with foreign rifles to accompany the Mission to Soul. The display was in general respects similar to that seen at one of the King’s parades. Ten days after they had received their commissions, Shen Li- tse with his subordinates and underlings, the Metropolitan Governor with his subordinates, the Health Inquirer and the Leader of Ceremonies, first one and then another, went down to Chemulpo to await the Imperial Mission. * The Prefect of Li Chuen’s position equivalent in China to third rank, Head Prefect. 11 Li-Cheng-wu resigned his commission as Personal Attendant on account of indisposition. This function was then assigned to Nan Ting-cheh,* the President of the Board of War. On the 8th day of the 9th moou (Oct. 21, 1890) the Board of Bites reported to the King that on former occasions of welcoming the Imperial Mission to Soul, either His Majesty or the Metropolitan officials went outside the city for that purpose, and instructions were requested as to what course His Majesty desired to pursue on the present occasion and where the Mission should be received. The King decreed : “ We shall adhere to former practice, and the Mission will be received outside the South Gate.” At this time some uncertainty prevailed as to whether or no the King would go as far as the suburbs of the city to meet the Com- missioners. He had been ailing for some time, so much so that he did not even accompany the funeral cortege of the Queen Dowager. However on the 22ud day (Nov. 4, 1890) the King’s health having slightly improved, he decided to go outside the South Gate to receive the Mission. The street outside this gate being narrow and therefore inconvenient for the reception of the Chinese Mission, it was decided to make use of the street outside the West Gate and in front of the Yaraen of the Metropolitan Governor for that purpose. On the 23rd day (Nov. 5, 1890) the Chinese Mission sailed from Tientsin for Corea, the Senior Commissioner Hsii on board the cruiser “ Ching-yuen ” and the Junior Commissioner Ch'ung ou board the “ Lai-yuen,” and the following day the Mission Receiver, the Metropolitan Governor and the Prefect of Jenchuan, who were at Chemulpo, received official notice of their approach, and, as usage demanded, at once communicated the fact to the King. These officials then ordered the erection of pavilions for the reception of the Mission, while the attendants, horses, sedan-chairs, symbols of authority, drums, gongs, musical instruments, banners and official umbrellas, &c., were all got in readiness. On the 24th day (Nov. 6, 1890) an ornamental pavilion was erected on the Customs jetty at Chemulpo. The symbols of authority, the Imperial shriue and incense stands placed therein being guarded by soldiers. Between the hours of one and three in the afternoon of the 24th (Nov. 6, 1890) the two war ships were seen coming into the outer harbour side by side. The Mission Receiver and his sub- ordinate officers, some score or so in all, proceeded to the jetty to await the landing of the Mission. The Mission Receiver first sent * Nan Tiug-cheh’s position equivalent in China to second rank, President of the Board of War. 12 two high deputies — one of the 1st rank and the second of the 2nd rank — and four low grade deputies — two of the 4th rauk and the other two of the 5th rank — in a boat to welcome the Mission while on board the war vessels. After the war vessels had anchored, these deputies went on board and inquired after the health of the Mission ; they also inquired from the interpreters what time the Mission intended to land. In the afternoon between the hours of three aud five the “Silence Boards” and “ Keep-out-of-the-way Boards,” the Titular Boards of the Commissioners, the Imperial Flag and the Symbols of Authority were landed from the ships. The two Commissioners conveyed the Imperial Message of Condolence ashore in a steam launch. After they had landed the Mission Receiver and his subordinates — in full dress — received them with lowest of bows. The Commissioners having placed the Imperial Message in the sh rine provided for it, the procession started : first came the Mission Receiver and the Corean officials in columns, one on each side of the road, the Soul Magnate aud the Metropolitan Governor being on the east and the Prefects and the Magistrates on the west side. Next came the Corean escorts, the flags, symbols of authority, &c. yellow umbrellas, drums, gongs and bands of music. Then came the incense palauquins and the shrine, followed by the Chiuese attendants, all of whom were mounted. The Commissioners followed in their sedan chairs side by side, and behind them marched the high and low deputies with the supervisors aud their attendants. The processiou went through the general foreign Settlement and came to the Reception Hall (the Superintendent’s Yamen). The Corean officials were the first to enter the Reception Hall, where they stood in the order of their rank. Upon the arrival oE the shrine the baud began to play, the officials ranged themselves into divisions and saluted it in a bending posture. They repeated this procedure on the arrival of the Commissioners, and when the Commissioners had passed, they stood erect, after which the music ceased. The Commissioners then placed the Imperial Message on the stand in front of the Emperor’s tablet. After which they retreated to the lower eastern side of the Hall, where they remained standing. At this juncture the music once more commenced, whereupon the Corean officials prostrated themselves four times before the Emperor’s tablet. Then they offered incense three times, again kowtowed four times and retired, after which music ceased. The first interpreter of the Mission carried the Message of Condolence to the “ Tablet Hall ” aud after having locked up the Hall, retired. 13 The Commissioners now repaired to their respective rooms, the Senior Commissioner to the western, the -Junior Commissioner to the eastern chamber. After the Commissioners had partaken of tea the Mission Receiver and the other Corean officials came to the Grand Reception Room and made known to the Commissioners through the medium of their deputies their desire to do homage to them. The Commissioners thereupon repaired to the Reception Hall in their official robes and sat down side by side facing the south. In the Hall were displayed the banners, umbrellas, Boards of Command and Symbols of Authority. When the music commenced, the deputies appeared before the Commissioners from the western corridor of the Hall. They kowtowed twice to the Commissioners, the prostration being followed by a low bow. The deputies of and above the third rank offered homage inside the corridor, while those of and below the fourth rank made their salute outside the corridor. After the ceremony they retired. The deputies of the first rank now came forward, and kneeling before the Commissioners, informed them that the Mission Receiver desired to pay his respects to them. They subsequently ushered the Mission Receiver into the presence of the Commissioners by way of the western corridor, and the latter stood up to receive him. The Mission Receiver, with his official cards in his hand, advanced to the centre of the Hall and handed these cards to the Petty Deputies, who presented them to the Commissioners. The Mission Receiver then came before the Commissioners and kowtowed twice, after which he made a low bow. The Commissioners returned the courtesy by a low bow, after which the Mission Receiver retired. The Deputy again knelt before the Commissioners and reported that the Health Inquirer desired to pay his respects to them. This officer was then ushered iuto their presence and likewise did obeisance. Then the Health Inquirer brought in the King’s cards and stood up in the centre of the Hall. These cards were given to two high Deputies, who presented them to the Commissioners. The Commissioners stood up and received them with both hands. The Health Inquirer then, in the name of the King, inquired after their health. The Commissioners acknowledged the courtesy by a low bow. The Health Inquirer made a low bow and retired. The Deputy once more kneeling before the Commissioners, reported that the Metropolitan Governor desired to do homage, and the Governor went through the same procedure as did the Health Inquirer. The Leader of Ceremonies was introduced in the same manner and paid his respects in similar form. 14 The Health Inquirer afterwards submitted, in a kneeling posture, to the Commissioners four copies of the programme of the ceremonies proposed to be observed at the reception of the Imperial Mission at Soul, after which he retired. Finally all the Prefects and Supervisors made obeisance to the Commissioners in the order of their rank. In receiving homage from the officials of and above the second rank, the Commissioners stood up and returned the compliment by a bow, but in the case of officials of and below the third rank, they resumed their seats and acknowledged the obeisance by simply bringing their hands together. The King and the Crown Prince deputed two special Deputies — one of the first aud one of the second rank — to take their cards to the Commissioners. The cards were made of thick white paper and were more than a foot long, one having written on the right hand side corner of it in small characters “King of Corea, Li Hsi ” — and the other “ Crown Prince of Corea, Li Sie ” — each card was enclosed in an envelope with a strip of red paper over the face. The Deputies knelt and tendered these cards to the Commissioners, aud in the name of their King and Crown Prince, inquired after the Commissioners’ health. They then retired. They again appeared with the cards of the King and Crown Prince, and in a kneeling posture presented their masters’ compliments to the Commissioners; next, two lists of presents from the King. The Commissioners thanked them for the presents, but refused to accept them. The Commissioners, however, presented the two special Deputies with robe materials — Peking knives and pouches — these were refused three times, but finally accepted. After receiving the Corean officials, the Commissioners proceeded with the examination of the Programme of Ceremonies proposed to be observed at their reception in Soul. The programme was as follows: — The Programme of Ceremonies 'proposed to be observed at the reception of the Imperial Mission charged with the Emperor's Message of Condolence in connection with the demise of the Queen Dowager of Corea. The day previous to the arrival of the Mission, the Officials of Arrangements shall erect a Royal linen pavilion on the east side of the road outside the Tun-I Gate ;* the pavilion facing south. On the day before the arrival of the Mission, the Royal Deputies Tun-I Gate, the West Gate of the city. 15 of Arrangements shall place at the centre of the “ Chin Cheng” Hall* of the Palace a miniature Imperial shrine with its front facing south. Directly in front of the shrine shall be arranged the tables for the Message of Condolence and the funeral presents — the table for tho Message of Condolence on the east ; the table for the presents on the west. Further south the incense burners will be placed, and east of the burners will be placed seats for the Imperial Commissioners ; the seats will face the west. Below the western terrace of the Hall and near the western part of the compound, the Deputies shall also provide a place for the King, where he will await the arrival of the Commissioners. The King’s seat will face the east. After the Imperial Message of Condolence and presents shall have been taken into the Hall, a position in the centre passage of the Hall is to be assigned to the King, at which he will perform the kowtow with his face towards the north. West of the place where the King awaits the arrival of the Imperial Mission, the Official of Arrangements shall erect a small linen tent or waiting room for the King and a large linen tent for the officials west of the courtyard. Both waiting rooms will face east, and east of the courtyard shall be arranged a resting place for the Commissioners; the resting place to face west. The Director of Court Music shall arrange musical instruments in the courtyard; the instruments will not be used. The position taken up by the bandmaster shall bo on the upper western terrace of the Hall rather near its western edge; the bandmaster facing east. The Officers of Arrangements shall provide for the members of the Boyal Household, the civil and military officials and the officiat- ing officials places in the courtyard in the order taken up by them on ordinary occasions. The Official of Arrangements shall erect for the King a large linen tent or waiting room outside the Tun-I Gate ; the waiting room shall face south. In the centre of the Royal pavilion the Senior Vice-President of the Board of War shall place the “Imperial Scroll Palanquin;” the palanquin facing south, with the palanquin for the Message of Condolence on the east and the palanquin for the Imperial presents on the west. The incense palanquin shall be placed south of the Imperial scroll palanquin. * “ Chin-cheng ” Hall, Hall of Diligence in the discharge of government duties. 16 West of the pavilion, and a little to the north, the Royal Deputies of Arrangements shall provide a place for the King, where he will receive the Imperial Mission with his face towards the east. The Officers of Arrangements shall provide for the members of the Royal Honsehold and the civil and military officials places south of the pavilion, at which they are to receive the Imperial Mission. The members of the Royal Household and civil officials shall stand on the east side, and the military officials on west side; when receiving the Imperial Mission they shall all turn their faces northwards. On the day on which the Imperial Mission is expected to arrive, the Senior Vice-President of the Board of War shall provide gongs and drums and “ Symbols of Sovereign Authority.” The Supervisor of music shall provide drums and other musical instru- ments. All these instruments shall be displayed in front of the pavilion and held in readiness for use. The Royal Attendants shall conduct the King to his waiting room outside the Tuu-I Gate. After the King enters his waiting room, the members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials shall enter theirs, which shall be erected as may be found most convenient. On the approach of the Imperial Commissioners the members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials shall put on plain black collars, black gauze hats and black horn belts, and station themselves in the positions assigned to them. The King shall put on his “ winged ” hat, a plain robe with a black collar, jet black belt tassels and a mourning jade belt. The Senior and Junior Ushers shall then lead the King from his waiting room to the prescribed place, where he shall await the arrival of the Commissioners. When the Message of Condolence arrives, the Senior Usher shall request the King to assume a bent attitude. The King will bend his body. The members of the Royal Honsehold and the civil and military officials will do likewise at a signal from their prompters. The Imperial Commissioners shall respectfully place the Message of Condolence in the palanquin provided for it. The Imperial presents, in a palanquin, shall be placed in front of the pavilion. Thereafter the Senior Usher shall request the King to stand erect. The King shall then stand erect. The members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials shall do the same at a signal from their prompters. When the palanquin containing the Message of Condolence starts for the Palace, the incense stand shall be attended to by two 17 officials — one on each side of the stand — who will keep the incense burning. At the halt of the palanquin containing the Message of Condolence, the gongs and drums shall move ahead, to be followed in their respective order by a regimeut of cavalry, the civil and military officials, the members of the Royal Household on horse- back, then the King in his litter, the symbols of sovereign authority, musical instruments — which shall be displayed but not used — the incense stand, the palanquin containing the Message of Condolence, the palanquin with the Imperial presents aud, lastly, the Imperial Commissioners. On arriving at the Kwang Hwa Gate of the Palace, the members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials shall dismount. The Ushers shall conduct the members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials to the positions assigned to them. The Senior and Junior Ushers shall lead the King to his position below the western terrace of the “ Chiu Cheng ” Hall. The symbols of sovereign authority shall be arranged in front of the Imperial shrine in the Hall, while the musical instruments will remain outside the Palace portal. The palanquin containing the Message of Condolence aud the palanquin with the presents, shall enter the Palace through the main portal, to be followed by the Imperial Commissioners. The Senior Usher shall request the King to assume a bent attitude while the Imperial Mission is passing by. The King, while facing eastwards, will bend his body. After the Mission shall have passed, the Senior Usher shall request the King to stand erect. The King will then staud erect with his face towards the north. The members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials shall do the same at a signal from their prompters. After the palanquin containing the Message of Condolence has been carried into the Hall, the Senior and Junior Ushers shall lead the Kiug to his waiting room. The Imperial Commissioners shall now place the Message of Condolence aud the Imperial presents on their respective tables after which the Ushers of Ceremonies shall conduct the Com- missioners to the places provided for them in the Hall, and the Seuior and Junior Ushers shall lead the Kiug to his place in the Hall, where he is to perform his prostrations. The Senior Usher shall request the King to bend his body, make four prostrations, to rise and thereafter to staud erect. The Kiug will bend his body, make four prostrations, then rise and staud erect. The members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials shall follow the same procedure at a signal 18 from their prompters. The Senior Usher shall request the King to kneel: the King will kneel and the same attitude will be adopted by the members of the Royal Household and all the civil and military officials. The Incense Supervisors shall kneel before the incense stands and present incense three times, after which they will prostrate themselves, rise and retire. The Senior Usher shall request the King to prostrate himself and make four kowtows, after which he will rise and stand erect. The King will prostrate himself, make four kowtows, rise and stand erect. The same procedure will be followed by the members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials at a given signal from their prompters. At this juncture the Senior Usher and the Prompters shall report the completion of the ceremonies. Then the Senior and Junior Ushers shall lead the King back to his waiting room, while the Ushers of Ceremonies conduct the Commissioners to theirs, and at the same time the Prompters will conduct the members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials out of the Hall. The Imperial presents — on a tray — together with the Message of Condolence, shall then be respectfully carried to the Yiin* Hall and there be kept until they are required on the occasion of the sacri- ficial offerings as described in the following Programme of Rites:— Rite s 'proposed to be observed at the Presentation of Sacrificial Offerings. On the day previous to that set apart for the performance of the sacrificial rites, the Officials of Arrangements shall erect for the Imperial Commissioners a resting place outside the Yiin Hall and east of its central entrance ; the resting place to face south. The Royal Deputies of Arrangements shall prepare for the Imperial Commissioners seats east of the memorial tablet of the late Queen Dowager of Corea — the seats to face west — and also provide, outside and east of the doors of the Hall, temporary tables for the reception of the Message of Condolence and the presents ; the tables faeiug west. They shall also provide for the Imperial Message of Condolence and presents tables east of the Queen Dowager’s memorial tablet. These tables will face south. A standing place for the King shall be reserved a little to the south and west of the memorial tablet. When the King takes up this position he is to face east. There shall be also another standing place for him below the western terrace of the Hall. When he occupies this position, he is to face north. * “ Yiin” Ha.ll, Hall of the Departed Spirit. 19 The ordinary Officials of Arrangements shall prepare for the officiating officers places below the eastern terrace of the Hall set towards the west. When these officials take up these positions they are to face westwards, and when making obeisance they are to turn their faces to the north. There shall also be prepared for the members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials and for the Governor of the Metropolitan Province places in the courtyard of the Hall in the positions usually occupied by them. On the day upon which the performance of rites takes place, the King — dressed in deep mourning — shall first enter the “ Chai ” * Hall. After the officiating officers have all their napkins cleansed in water in token of ablution, the Superintendent of the “Chai” Hall and the Superintendent of Sacrificial Rites, together with subordinates, shall respectfully place the Imperial Message of Condolence and the Imperial presents on the tables that are set apart for their temporary use before the door of the Hall. In front of the memorial tablet shall be placed first incense urns, incense burners and candles and next sacrificial animals and offerings. In front of the door of the tablet shrine and on the left hand side of it shall be arranged the wine flagon and also three wine cups near by. The ordinary ushers shall conduct the members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials — all to be dressed in deep mourning — to their prescribed places in the courtyard. When the sacrificial rites are about to be performed the Ushers of Ceremonies shall conduct the Imperial Commissioners to their resting place outside the Hall. The Senior and Junior Ushers shall lead the King forward by his mourning staff to his position below the western terrace of the Hall. j&sr* The Master of Ceremonies will cry out “ Wail.” Then the Senior Usher will request the King to wail and the King will wail. The members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials at a signal from their prompters, will also wail. The Senior Usher will then request the King to discard his mourning staff and his mourning appendages of hempen cloth around his head and waist. The King will accordingly discard his mourning staff and appendages and hand them to the euuuchs. With the view of receiving the Imperial Commissioners, the Senior and Junior Ushers shall lead the King out of the Hall by the central eutrauce. The Senior Usher will then request the King to * “Chai” Hall, Hall of Fasting. 20 stop wailing, and the King will cease wailing. The members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials shall do the same at the signal from their prompters. The Senior and Junior Ushers shall lead the King to a place outside and west of the central entrance of the Hall, where he is to stand with his face towards the east to await the arrival of the Commissioners. The Ushers of Ceremonies shall conduct the Commissioners out of their resting place to a place near by, where they are to' stand facing westwards. The Senior and Junior Ushers shall lead the King back to the Hall precincts through the west portal to his prescribed place below the western terrace of the Hall. The Ushers of Ceremonies shall conduct the Commissioners through the principal entrance to the table on which is placed the Message of Condolence. The Officiating Officers, in a kneeling posture, shall hand the Message of Condolence and silk presents to the Commissioners, who in turn will receive and place them on the tables in the Hall. The Ushers of Ceremonies shall then conduct the Commissioners to a place east of the memorial tablet, where they will stand facing west. The Senior and Junior Ushers shall lead the King up from the western terrace to his place in the Hall, where he is to stand facing east. The Ushers of Ceremonies shall conduct the Com- missioners to a place in front of the incense table, where they are to stand facing north. The Ushers shall request them to offer incense three times, and the Commissioners, while standing, will offer incense three times. The Ushers shall then request them to tender the offering of silk presents and pour out a libation. Whereupon the Commissioners will tender the offering of silk presents and pour out the libation. In the pouring of the three cups of wine into the libation urn, the offering of silk presents and wine and the final disposal of the silk and wine, the Commissioners are to he assisted by the officiating officers, who shall serve the Commissioners in a kneeling posture. The Usher of Ceremonies shall conduct the Commissioners back to their seats in the Hall. The Senior Usher shall request the King to kneel. The King will then kneel. The officials charged with the reading of the Message of Con- dolence, is to walk up to the table containing the Message, and in a standing position, with his face towards the west, take up the Message and read it aloud. After reading it, he is to replace it on the table. 21 The Senior Usher shall request the King to prostrate himself, and then to rise and stand erect. The King will prostrate himself, then rise and stand erect. The Senior Usher shall request the King to wail. The King will then wail. The Ushers of Ceremonies shall request the Commissioners to wail. The Commissioners will wail. The members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials at the request of their prompters, will also wail. The Ushers of Ceremonies shall request the Commissioners to stop wailing. The Commissioners will stop wailing. The Senior Usher shall request the King to stop wailing, and the King will stop wailing. The members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials will also stop wailing at the request of their prompters. The official charged with the holding of the Message of Con- dolence, shall carry the Message, together with the silk presents, to the sacrificial fire-place. A table shall be prepared a little to the west and south of the Yun Hall terrace ; the table to be furnished with a brass urn thereon. After the Message of Condolence and silk presents shall have been burnt, the Senior and Junior Ushers shall lead the King out to the west side of the upper terrace, where he is to stand with his face towards the east. The Ushers of Ceremonies shall conduct the Commissioners out to the east side of the upper terrace, where they are to stand facing west. The Commissioners, with clasped hands, shall make a bow. The King shall do the same in acknowledgment. The Ushers of Ceremonies shall conduct the Commissioners down from the eastern terrace. The Senior and Junior Ushers shall lead the King down from the western terrace. The King shall then accompany the Commissioners out as far as the central entrance. Thence the Royal Ushers shall conduct the Commissioners back to their original resting place east of the “ Chin Chen” Hall. The Senior Usher shall request the King to put on his mourn- ing appendages and to take up his mourning staff and wail. The King shall then put on his mourning appendages, take up his mourning staff and wail, while the members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials, prompted by their own prompt- ers, shall also wail. 22 The Senior and Junior Ushers shall lead the King into the central entrance of the Hall and there the Senior Usher shall request the Kiug to stop wailing. The King shall then stop wailing and at the same time the members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials, shall also stop wailing. The Master of Ceremonies shall cry out: “Make four prostra- tions.” The members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials being requested to do so by their own prompters, shall bend their bodies and make four prostrations, and afterward rise and stand erect. The Senior and Junior Ushers shall lead the King back to the “ Chai ” Hall. The ordinary ushers shall conduct the members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials out in the order of their rank. Tho Superintendent of Sacrificial Rites and the Superintendent of the “Chai” Hall, together with their respective subordinates, shall remove the sacrificial animals, while the Royal Deputies of Arrangements remove the miniature Imperial shrine and the tables. Seats for the Commissioners shall be arranged at the east side in the “Chin Cheng” Hall, while the seat for the King shall be placed at the west side. In the meantime the King shall change his dress, coming out in white leather boots and white robe and with a black rhinoceros-belt covered over with white cloth and winged hat, also covered with white cloth. The Grand Chamberlain shall lead the King to his prescribed place in the Hall, where he is to stand facing east. The Ushers of Ceremonies shall conduct the Commissioners to their prescribed places in the Hall, where they shall also stand facing west. The King and the Commissioners shall exchange courtesies by making the kowtow to each other. After which the Commissioners are to assume their assigned seats and the King his. After they have finished their tea, the Royal Ushers of Cere- monies will conduct the Commissioners down from the eastern terrace, and the Grand Chamberlain will lead the Kiug down from the western terrace. The King then will accompany the Commis- sioners as far as the “ Chin Cheng ” Gate. Tho Commissioners shall then proceed to their temporary residence, to be followed in the order of their ranks by the members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials, who on arriving at the Commissioners’ residence, will kowtow twice to the Commissioners. 23 Ceremonies and the Order of Standing to he observed by the Corean Officials in the presence of the Imperial Commissioners. The Privy Council, composed of the Prime Minister and the Senior and Junior Ministers, the officials of the first rauk and all the officials not below the second rauk, shall take up their positions in the space betweeu the outer and inner pillars of the Hall; all the officials of the third rank shall take up their positions in the space outside the pillars, and all those not above the third rank, shall take up their positions in the courtyard. All the officials shall kowtow twice before the Commissioners and shall do so in the order of their rauk and position. The Commissioners shall make a short bow in acknowledgment of their courtesy. After which all the officials shall retire. Ceremonies proposed to be observed at the Banquet given by the King to the Imperial Commissioners on their arrival. The same ceremonies shall be observed at all the banquets given to the Commissioners. On the day when the banquet takes place, the Supervisors of Entertainments shall arrange for the Commissioners seats, to be placed in the principal hall of the Nam-pieh-kuug — the seats to be placed near the eastern wall of the compouud enclosure, facing west. The Deputies of Arrangements shall also prepare for the King a seat on the opposite side near the western wall, facing east. And also place an incense table near the northern wall. The Directors of the Culinary Department shall place on the south side of the Banquet Hall a tea-booth facing north. The King will proceed to the Nam-pieh-kuug and wait in the waiting room. When the Commissioners are ready to come to the Hall, the Senior Usher, iu a kueeliug position, will request the King to leave his waiting room. The King will accordingly come out of his waiting room aud be led into the Hall by the Grand Chamberlaiu. The Commissioners will enter the Hall at the same time. They, facing west, will stand on the east side of the Hall, while the King, with his face towards the east, will stand on the west side. The King will then make two kowtows before the Senior Com- missioner, who will return the courtesy and also two kowtows before the J uuior Commissioner, who will also return the same. 24 The Commissioners will then take their seats in the Hall while the King takes his own. Two official tea-servers (Assistant Directors) of the Culinary Department, one bearing the tea-pot and one the tea-cups on a tray, will enter the Hall. The Assistant Director, with the tea-pot, will stand east of the tea-booth, the one with the cups west of the same booth. Two other servers will come, each bearing a platter of fruits and meats — one with his face towards the south, will stand north on the right hand side of the Senior Commissioner, aud one with his face towards the north, will stand south on the left hand side of the Junior Commissioner. Another server with a platter of fruits and meats and with his face towards the north, will stand south on the right hand side of the King. The tea-server will hold out a cup for receiving the tea, tea being poured into it by the server, who has the tea-pot in hand. Thereafter the tea-server, in a kneeling position, will offer the cup of tea to the Senior Commissioner, which will be accepted by him. The tea-servers will go through the same procedure in serving tea to the Junior Commissioner and to the King. After partaking of tea, the tea-servers will march before the Commissioners and in a kneeling position remove the cups. The King will be served in the same way. The cups will then be placed on a tray and carried away. When the dignitaries have partaken of tea, the fruit and meat- servers, in a kneeling position, will offer fruits aud meats to the Commissioners aud to the King. After these dignitaries have partaken of the fruits and meats in a process similar to that of the partaking of the tea, the fruit platters will be removed aud carried out ou trays. When the banquet is over, the King and the Commissioners will bow (stretching the clasped hands towards the feet and raising them again to the foreheads) to each other and separate. The programme of ceremonies submitted to the Commissioners having been found to be in conformity with those observed ou former occasions, the Commissioners consented to their being carried out. They, however, suggested the omission from the programme of the banquets, music aud jugglery. Their motive for this sugges- tion was to show their consideration for Corean impecuniosity. At night, wherever the Commissioners may be, the firing of three guns, accompanied by a bugle call and the hoisting up of a lantern, constitute the order for the closing of the city gates. 25 According to usage, aEter the arrival oE the Commissioners in a city, the keys and signals oE the place are handed to their charge. The fire oE guns and the call oE bugles from their residence are the signals for the closing of the city gates. On the 6th of November, 1890, after the Commissioners had dined, the Prefect of Jenchuan tendered to the Commissioners a piece of blank paper and requested them to note down the hour at which they intended leaving for Soul on the morrow. The Com- missioners signified that the Mission would proceed the next morning between five and six o’clock. On the morning of the 7th November, after a salute of three guns, the gates of the Commissioners’ residence were thrown open , and after the third bugle call, the Coreau officials, in addition to providing symbols of sovereignty, flags, banners and body guards in the same manner as they did in receiving the Mission at the jetty furnished the Commissioners each with four saddled horses and four grooms, three drivers, one umbrella bearer, two path-finders, four attendants, four litter pouies, four litter pony grooms, four litter attendants, one chief chair bearer, and one sedan chair with eight sedan bearers, one pony for carrying rain coverings, two servants, four conch blowers, four pipers and four horn blowers, four super- visors of flag signals, six gong beaters, aud six first class lictors and two military officers in command of two detachments of escorts, twenty-two silk embroidered flags, one petty official interpreter, one waiter, one cook and seven interpreters of the third order, aud also furnished each of the Mission interpreters with three ponies, three grooms, three drivers, two road leaders, one rain covering transport pony, two attendants, two supervisors of flags, two super- visors of signals, two gong beaters, two first-class lictors, two petty interpreters, one four-bearer sedan chair, and also furnished each of the Mission’s servants with one ridiug pony and one groom, and also horses aud grooms for the transport of the symbols of sovereignty. The Mission Receiver and his subordinates in a body requested the Commissioners to enter their chairs. The Mission then proceeded . First marched the petty officials, the soldiers and attendants in the same order as when receiving the Mission at the jetty, followed by the Mission Receiver and the Metropolitan Governor with then- respective subordinates. The total number of the retinue amounted to about two thousaud. Their departure from Jenchuan was wit- nessed by a number of foreigners and foreign officials. When the Mission arrived at Siao-hsing, the Commissioners alighted from their chairs and entered the tents provided for them, where they rested and partook of tea, etc., furnished by the Corean officials. After a change of horses aud chair bearers, they resumed 26 their journey and arrived at Oricol, twenty-five li further on. Half way between Siao-hsing and Oricol, the Jenchuan Prefect and his subordinates left the Mission. It was then received by the Prefect of Fu-ping and his subordinates in the same manner as it was received at Jenchuan. The Message of Condolence was taken to the Imperial tablet room. In front of the Message were placed incense burners. The Fu-ping Prefect and his subordinates, like the Jenchuan Prefect and his subordinates, made their obeisance to the Imperial tablet and afterwards prostrated themselves twice before the Commissioners. At this point the King and the Crown Prince deputed special officials to hand in their cards to the Commissioners and inquire after their health. After luncheon the Commissioners conveyed the Message of Condolence to the palanquin and the Mission resumed its journey in the same order as before and reached the River Han, twenty- five li further. The Corean officials had got ready boats beforehand, providing them with side screens, etc., in which the Mission was to be ferried across. The retinue was ferried over in the order which they assumed in their march. The Mission stayed for the night at “ Hsi Hsin Ting.” The Prefect of Fu-ping and his subordinates there took their departure homewards, while the Prefect of Li-chow and his subordinates of the eleven districts welcomed the Mission in the same manner as did the other Prefects. The Message of Condolence was taken to the Imperial tablet hall. The Corean officials, like their colleagues at Oricol, made their obeisance in the order of their rank. The special messenger handed in the cards of the King and the Crown Prince to the Com- missioners, and in their name inquired after the health of the Commissioners. Shin Shen-tse,* Prime Minister of the Corean Privy Council and Tutor to the Crown Prince and Min Yuug-ta, Grand Chamberlain, welcomed the Mission in the name of the King. After having prostrated themselves twice before the Commissioners, they stood erect and inquired after the health of the Commissioners in the name of the King. The Commissioners requested the Prime Minister, Shen Tse, to sit down. He, however, declined to do so and retired. The Commissioners presented robes, Peking knives and pouches to the King’s special messenger; and to the Prime Minister and Grand Chamberlain, scrolls and fans. * Shin Slien-tse’s position equivalent in China to Prime Minister and Imperial Grand Tutor, having the first rank. Min Yung-ta’s to the 2nd rank, President of the Privy Council. 27 On the 26th (Nov. 8, 1890) the King and the Crown Prince again sent messengers with their cards to the Commissioners and inquired after their health ; and on the same day between the hours of seven and nine a.m. the King, accompanied by the members of the Royal Household and the civil and military officials went outside the West Gate and repaired to their waiting rooms, where they awaited the arrival of the Mission. The officials in charge attended to the carrying out of the rites aud ceremonies as described in the programme handed to the Com- missioners at Chemulpo. Palanquins, &c., were got ready in advance. A special official was then deputed to “ Hsi Hsin Ting” to invite the Commissioners to Soul in the name of the King. The Commissioners then mounted their eight-bearer chairs and followed the palanquin containing the Imperial Message of Con- dolence. The symbols of authority, &c., proceeded as before in their described order. All the officials from the Mission Receiver aud Metropolitan Governor downwards acted as escorts to the Mission as far as the Yamen of the Metropolitan Governor outside the West Gate, where the King and his officials welcomed the Mission with befitting cere- monies. After welcoming the Mission the King returned to the Palace by the shortest route via the West Gate to receive the Mission at the Palace. The Mission then started for the Palace. First proceeded the gongs and drums and cavalry, next Shin Shen-tse, the Prime Mi- nister, and Kin Ping-shih,* Junior Minister of the Council, with the members of the Royal Household aud all the officials : next came a new set of symbols of sovereign authority, music, incense palanquin and the palanquin containing the Message of Condolence in their respective order. Then followed the two Commissioners in chairs, escorted on each side by detachments of soldiers with banners, &c., before them, and finally the officiating officers. The Commissioners and the palanquins were screened from the spectators by large curtains supported by numerous soldiers. From the place where the Mission was welcomed by the King to the South Gate the straw houses were all removed beforehand, so were also those along the thoroughfares through which the Mission passed. The streets were then wide enough to admit four carts abreast. The side streets were also closed by curtains and guarded by soldiers against the approach of people, which would otherwise cause confusion and noise. Great silence then prevailed. The natives, * Kin Ping-shih’s position equivalent in China to the Junior Minister of Council, having the first rank. 28 foreigners and foreign officials who came to see the sight numbered one hundred thousand odd. The Commissioners entered the Palace by the principal portal and dismounted only at the “ Chin Cheng ” Hall. The King received the Mission with prostrations in accordance with the terms of the first and second Ritual Programmes submitted to the Commissioners at Jenchuan. The Commissioners handed in the Emperor’s Decree that the King need not make presents to the Mission. The King replied: “ Dare I not obey my Emperor’s will,” etc., etc. After the ceremonies were over, the Commissioners left the Palace, escorted by the King as far as the “ Chin Cheng ” Hall, and when the Commissioners mounted their chairs, the King made a low bow. The Commissioners then proceeded to the “ Nam Pei ” Palace, their residence, taking with them the symbols of authority, etc. The Prime Minister and all the officials paid their respects to them at their residence in the manner laid down in the third paragraph of the Programme of Ceremonies. The King and the Crown Prince sent a special messenger to the Commissioners to inquire after their health. The messenger made the inquiries in a kneeling posture. The Personal Attendant and the Supervisors and their subordinates also paid their respects to the Commissioners. The Commissioners then distributed folding fans, scrolls and various presents amongst them. The King sent by special messengers tea and eatables to the Commissioners, which were received. The Commissioners gave these messengers coat material and sundries. The Commissioners intimated that the proposed grand banquet by the King and music and theatricals should be omitted from the programme of Ceremonies. At night the hoisting of a lantern and firing of salutes from the residence of the Commissioners were signals for closing the city gates, a usage observed at Jenchuan and “ Hsi Hsin Ting ” when the Commissioners were there. The next day being the anniversary of the death of the Empress “ Hsiao Tze Kao Hwang Hou,” the Commissioners dispensed with the firing of salutes at night for the closing of the gates. At noon the King and the Crown Prince sent a special messenger twice with their cards to inquire after the health of the Commissioners, followed by the Prime Minister and others. On the morning of the 28th (10 Nov., 1890) the King and the Crown Prince through the medium of special messengers, inquired after the health of the Commissioners, as did also all the Corean officials. 29 At noon the King proceeded from the Palace to the “ Nam Pei Kung” to pay his respects to the Commissioners and entertained them at a banquet, as laid down in Programme No. 4. At their meeting the Commissioners expressed to the King in writing that as they could not even accept a piece of paper as present from him, he need not tender any more presents. At this the King- felt very grateful and at the same time regretted the fact. In the banquet hall tables and chairs were provided for the Commissioners. The officials serving the Commissioners dressed in ordinary costume (not in mourning costume). Those waiting on the King had on mourning clothes. On this occasion the official attend- ants having committed an error in their service, the King ordered the punishment of the members of the Costume Department, the Officer of Arrangement, the Mission Receiver, the Metropolitan Governor and the other officials in this connection. After the banquet was over the King returned to the Palace. The King and Crown Prince’s special messenger, the Prime Minister and all the other officials inquired after the health of the Commis- sioners. Subsequently the King and the Crown Prince sent a mes- senger with presents to the Commissioners ; the messenger in a kneel- ing posture handed a list of them to the Commissioners. In conformity with established usage the King sent also costly medicine to the Commissioners. The Commissioners, however, declined to accept any of the presents but thanked the King for them. The special messenger was then given various presents by the Commissioners. On that evening (10 Nov.) the Commissioners having decided to start the next day for China, the King first deputed the Personal Attendant and Supervisors to ask the Commissioners to prolong their stay, next the Grand Chamberlain and next the Prime Minister and lastly a special messenger to urge the Commissioners to stay long- er. The Commissioners, however, could not entertain the King’s request. Two days before the King appointed as Personal Escort to the Mission’s return to China Li Yu-ch‘eng, President of the Board of Rites and a General of the Corean army. On the evening previous to the start of the Mission for China, the Personal Escort ordered his subordinates to be in readiness to start the next day. The district magistrates aud soldiers were also ordered by the Metropolitan Governor to be ready to serve the Mission as before. On the morning when the Mission was to start salutes were fired from the Commissioners’ residence, ordering the opening of the gates. The Prime Minister and also the officials in the order of their rank, inquired after the health of the Commissioners, and the 30 Personal Escort with his subordinates paid their respects to the Commissioners. The Commissioners distributed scrolls, fans, coat material and miscellaneous articles amongst them and also gave cash and various things to the soldiers and servants at their residence. At noon on the day when the Mission was to return to China, the King with the members of the Royal Household and all the civil and military officials repaired to the “ Hiiian Hwa ” Hall of the Governor’s Yamen outside of the West Gate, where they were to bid the Commissioner’s farewell. The Mission proceeded from the “Nam Pei Kung” to the “ Hsiian Hwa ” Hall by way of the South Gate, being accompanied by the symbols of authority, &c. The Commissioners had lunch with the King at “ Hsiiau Hwa ” Hall. The ceremonies on the occasion were the same as those which took place at the banquet at “ Nam Pei Kung.” After lunch the Kiug requested the Commissioners to convey his respects to the Emperor. The King then escorted the Commissioners to their chairs, and there they parted with a low bow. The King returned to the Palace while the Commissioners proceeded on their journey, followed by the Personal Escort and his sub- ordinates. The Mission again stopped at “ Hsi Hsin Ting ” for the night. There the special messenger inquired after the health of the Commissioners in the name of the King and Crown Prince, as did also the Prime Minister and the officials in the order of their rank. The Commissioners gave them presents of eatables. At this juncture it began to rain and continued to rain until the next day — the first of the tenth moon (Nov. 12, 1890) — when it fell heavily. A special messenger came and inquired after the health of the Commissioners in the name of the Kiug and Crown Prince, as did also the Grand Chamberlain, who, moreover, requested the Com- missioners to prolong their stay. The Commissioners consented to stay until the rain ceased. In the evening the special messenger handed in the King’s and Crown Prince’s cards and in their name inquired after the health of the Commissioners. The officials also inquired. On the second day of the tenth moon (Nov. 13) it ceased raining. The gates were opened at the firing of salutes at the Commissioners’ residence. The Commissioners proceeded to Che- mulpo, followed by the Personal Escort and the Metropolitan Gover- nor, and on the way were met and escorted by all the local officials, guards, attendants and others in the same manner as when they came. On reaching Wu-li-tuug they rested. There the special messenger in the name of the King and Crown Prince inquired after the health of the Commissioners. The officials did likewise. The special messenger also handed in presents, which the Commissioners 31 refused to accept. The Commissioners in return made a present to the special messenger. After lunch the Mission again started, and on reaching “ Hsiao Hsing,” took tea. On arriving at Chemulpo the Commissioners as before made use of the Superintendent of Trade’s Yamen as a resting place for the night. There the Coreau officials received and paid their respects to the Commissioners in the manner prescribed. They also made inquiries after the Commissioners’ health and offered presents in the same manner as before. The presents the Commissioners declined to accept. The following day after the gates were declared open by the firing of salutes, the Special Messenger and the Grand Chamberlain handed in the cards of the King and Crown Prince, and in their name inquired after the health of the Commissioners. The other officials also inquired. On the third day of the tenth moon between the hours of seven and nine the Commissioners proceeded, as they came, with the symbols of authority through the Chinese and Foreign Settlements of Chemulpo, to the jetty, and as they were stepping on board the steam launch, the Personal Escort, the Metropolitan Governor and their subordinates assembled on the jetty and bent down respectfully iu bidding the Commissioners adieu. The Commissioners then went on board the war vessels, which sailed in the morning between nine and ten o’clock. The Metropolitan officials returned to Soul to report the safe departure of the Commissioners, while the various local officials between Soul and Chemulpo returned to their duties. The Commissioners while declining to accept the presents tendered to them by the Corean officials at Soul and at the various stoppiug places, did accept food and mattings from the people which had to be furnished according to old usages, for which the Commissioners rewarded their interpreters and attendants. All the officials aud attendants on serving the Commissioners leaped with joy and gladness while the people and the merchant class followed their avocations as usual — in quiet and peace. They congratulated each other iu the market places, declaring that the advent of the Commissioners to Corea brought blessings to the laud, for which they felt joyously thankful. This sentiment pre- vailed all over the country. After the departure of the Mission the King sent a despatch to the Imperial Commissioners, giving expression to his gratitude and moreover he prepared to be sent by this year’s Tribute Mission to China a memorial to the Throne expressing his thankfulness for the coming of the Mission. The sentiments of the memorial — in their 32 sincerity and importance — are beyond expression in words demon- strating that China’s manifold graciousness towards her dependencies is increasing with the times. The Emperor’s consideration for his vassal state as evinced by his thoughtfulness in matters pertaining to the Mission, is fathomless. How admirable and satisfactory ! And how glorious !