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which means the great controller of learning. He is concerned not only in the national education, but his duties call upon him to promote the education of the royal family from the King down. Only a man of rare ability can hope to attain this position, and he is held as a kind of Korean Shakspeare. This office was created by a highly educated king of the present dynasty and ever since has received the respect of the King and nation. The first officer holding this position was presented by the King with a valuable ink-stone and other desk utensils of rare workmanship. Each succeeding officer has been honored with their possession. This officer, although not the regular teacher of the prince, examines him from time to time. The opening day of the prince's education is celebrated with much pomp. Tai-je-hak presides on this occasion and plans the whole course of the prince's studies, which is similar to that of other children. The prince selects his own companions in study. As it is not lawful to punish the prince his best loved companion is punished in his stead by standing on a block of wood just big enough to be covered with the feet.

There are two kinds of schools for the king, "Kiung yun," or classical school, and "So-ta," or historical school. There is no prescribed course or length of term. The studies are pursued only during the winter evenings and at the pleasure of the King. The manner of conducting these evening studies is somewhat like a Chautauqua circle. The sacred classics are discussed by the King, prime minister, and other high officers who are invited by the King to meet in the royal chamber for that purpose. The questions are asked and answered in regular order, the King always beginning.

The So-ta or Historical School is composed of members of the Nagak or royal club, the King's private secretary, Sing-chi, and many other civil officers. The study is pursued in a similar manner to the Kiung yun. Besides the historical studies these meetings are of a social character.

On these occasions the King's chapel is illuminated with many scores of wax candles and finely decorated. After the reading, music and a banquet follow. The various discussions at these meetings are published in the papers issued every morning by the Government.

There are two other schools held in the palace which can hardly be called royal schools, as no members of the royal family attend except the King, who acts as teacher. The pupils are several hundred civil officers and the sons of high officers. The course of study consists of conversation, and reading and writing in Chinese and Japanese. This school was established about three hundred years ago.

The other school is for the sons of nobles who study the ancient classics and histories. By means of this school the King males many favorites.

The so-called royal military school is hardly a school or even a club. The King, at the head of from 5,000 to 15,000 men, including civil offi

cers and soldiers, goes into the field. His position as King entitles him to shoot the first arrow, and the others follow in turn according to the rules. During the spring, on fine days, the King takes a smaller number of men for this exercise in the palace.

The bow, lance, and spear have been until within the last three centuries the only weapons of warfare among the Koreans. Since that time rifles have been used by the military, but the King still practices with the weapon of his ancestors and never makes use of the rifle officially. The old national troops numbered 1,000,000, besides 20,000 more stationed about the capital. One thousand of the palace guard and a certain number of the troops garrisoned about Séoul study military science under the supervision of the King. They practice eighteen different movements with the sword in both hands, and acquire great skill in fencing and athletic exercises.

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS.

During the Koriŭ period, or the dynasty last preceding the present one, from the tenth to the fourteenth century, the high officers were selected through the civil service examination. Under the present dynasty not only competent officers are chosen by the examination, but it also influences indirectly all national education. To pass successfully these examinations is the aim of every literary man and is the highest hope of parents for their sons. All the noblemen of Korea have obtained their positions not by inheritance, but by their rank at these examinations. This rank of nobleman is open to everyone, and even servants who by education can pass this ordeal are at once raised, with their wives, to the nobility. Of course the chances are in favor of the sons of the nobility, their surroundings and tastes naturally leading them to strive for the highest places in the gift of the king. There is a story that the most important province of the country, containing 71 counties, was once under the control of a man raised from the lowest ranks through the civil service examination, and that he, as governor of this province, received the highest salary paid by the Government, 210,000 suk of rice per annum (a suk being equal to three bushels). Although this story can hardly be considered authentic, still it is told as showing the disposition of the Government to encourage education, The Korean civil service examination is not for any particular class of schools, but is a sort of examining board for all kinds of schools.

The clerical force of the Government is not affected by these examinations. The clerks are appointed when very young, and are really trained in their position. After five or ten years of service they become very valuable, and are promoted with increase of salary, retaining their places in the service during good behavior.

There are five classes of examinations, namely: (1) for the selection of high officers; (2) for the degree of doctor; (3) for candidate for the degree of doctor; (4) for scientific officers; (5) for rewards or prizes for

excellence in scholarship. Competitors may not be under 15 years of age, and the descendants of unpardoned high criminals or a father and son of the same family cannot present themselves for examination. The examinations are written and oral, together with recitations. No examination paper without an official seal will be received by the minister of that examination. A strip on which is written the name, age, residence, and name of the father of the applicant is cut nearly across the paper. This is rolled and sealed, that the examiner may not know whose paper he holds.

In Séoul the examinations for the selection "Kwa-ga " are held nearly every month. According to law only those who have taken the degree of doctor are entitled to this examination, but occasionally this privilege is granted to some literary man of especial merit. Once in three years this examination is open to all persons; notice is given one year in advance of the day appointed to accommodate candidates at a distance. The king and the prime ministers are the chief examiners, with many assistants.

At these examinations, called Jung-si, and on accession days many curious customs are observed. There are about 50,000 competitors at the Jung-si, which takes place in the examination grounds of the palace. This inclosure is covered with grass and has many beautiful trees and ornamental pavilions. For this occasion a large tent is raised near the examination halls, which are occupied by the examiners, including the king, queen, prime ministers, and assistants, during the examination. At 2 o'clock p. m. three or four gates are opened to admit this mass of men, who contend for the first entrance in order to secure desirable places in the tent near to the examination halls. All sorts of tricks are resorted to, and those who have the advantage of money pay large strong men to act for them and hold their places until the struggle subsides, when they take possession. This confusion often lasts into the night, but when settled the grounds become brilliant with thousands of white tents, each lighted by a square lantern suspended from a pole 20 or 30 feet high and bearing the symbol of the family represented, in order to attract the attention of the king and queen.

The next day the presence of royalty attended by the palace guards, with their magnificent silk flags of bright colors, and the host of civil and military officers in full dress add to the already imposing spectacle a degree of splendor seldom seen. At 12 o'clock the musicians play "Yu-min-lak," "Share happiness with the people." After the music the examinations begin.

At the close of the examination the papers are collected by several hundred messengers of the king's private secretary, who deliver them to the king's messengers, who are dressed in scarlet uniform. These men take them to some lower officers, who lay them before the king as he sits with the many examiners. Three hundred police watch the collection of these papers, which are 3 feet in width by 5 feet in length.

They are numbered as they are collected with words of the 1,000 Chinese word book of the children. As before mentioned, the first word in this book is heaven. The first paper is numbered first heaven, the second one is numbered second heaven, and so on to the hundredth heaven. There are nine examination marks-the first of the first, the second of the first, the third oft he first, the first of the second, the second of the second, etc., down to the third of the third, in large letters, in red ink.

At the end of the day the crowd scatters and the competitors wait the result of the examination of the papers, which is announced in a few days. From the 50,000 papers not more than 20 have passed as Kwa-ga and about 100 of the other grades. Those whose papers entitle them to the office of Kwa-ga receive their appointment on accession day. During the time which intervenes between the announcement of the successful candidates and their appointment, if they are of high descent, their houses are thronged with guests who call to congratulate them. Among these are the princes, prime minister, and all the high officials. On accession day the recipient of all these honors goes to the palace, where he is welcomed with music, and he receives from the king a garland and his appointment wrapped in red silk. This day is the proudest of his life, and is equaled in importance only by his wedding day. If the successful aspirant has wealth, he uses it most lavishly in making his house, as well as the procession attending him to the palace, as imposing as possible. He is dressed in a pink silk gown fastened with a golden belt, and he wears a black silk hat decorated with red silk. He is mounted on a horse and surrounded by a host of attendants giving the yell "Ok tang tui sori” of the Royal college. The origin of this yell is lost. For three days after accession day the new officer is engaged in returning the calls of his friends.

The examination for the degree of doctor is held once in three years at Séoul. The king appoints several officers to examine the papers, from which are chosen 100 for prose and 100 for poetry. This degree is sometimes conferred upon competitors 60 or 70 years old without examining their papers. The competitors for this degree must bring certificates from the governor of the province. Accession day for the doctor has its proportionate amount of glory, but he receives no garland from the king. During the three days after the accession they wear green silk gowns bordered with black stripes, and high black hats trimmed with bunches of red silk threads. This dress is used only on these occasions. They are no longer plain "Su-bang," "Mr.," but "Jin sa," "Dr.," and are now entitled to attend any civil service examination.

Examinations for the primary selection for the doctor examination is held once in three years at two places in each province. One thousand papers are selected from six different kinds, as follows: Three kinds of poems. The first containing thirty-six lines, every other line rhyming; the second, sixty short lines, every other line rhyming; the third, the

most difficult, rhymes with lines of irregular length. Three kinds of prose: First, criticisms of some famous men; second, commentary on some famous literary work; third, discussion or advice on some moral, religious, or political question.

Examinations for scientific officers are held only at Séoul once in three years. The Government has a commission for each of these branches: Astronomy, geography, literature, mathematics, painting, penmanship, ceremonies, foreign languages, etc.

Examinations for prizes are held only at Séoul for students of science four times in a year, and for students of general literature nearly every month, and anywhere in the 400 counties as the magistrate may appoint. The successful applicants in the scientific course receive as rewards a temporary appointment of from three to six months, or Droney, rolls of cloth, books, stationery, etc. The prizes for literature are similar. The successful men are given a reception of a social character by the magistrates.

MILITARY SERVICE EXAMINATION.

The examinations for the military service are of many kinds, but the two principal ones are for the selection of officers, and the chief examiners are the king, minister of war, all the generals in active service, and the governors of eight provinces. The competitors are examined in gunnery, archery, horsemanship, tactics and military science, and athletics. The prizes are money, rice, and cloth. Those who have received high marks become officers. The times of these examinations are, like the civil examinations, for officers once in three years, for prizes very often. The accession ceremony for the military is not of equal importance with the civil. The examinations are less crowded as they are held in many places at the same time.

EDUCATION OF WOMEN.

All the women of Korea are educated at home, by their parents or other relatives. Lady teachers are often hired for their instruction, but they are very restricted in their intercourse with their pupils, and they are not allowed to punish them. When 6 or 7 years old little girls begin "Ban-jul," or making syllables with pure Korean alphabet. At the age of 10 they study "Un-gan-nok" (letter-writing), penmanship, multiplication tables, names of years and days, and the history of Korea, “Yul-yu-jun” (biographies of famous women), history of Korea, and ceremonies relating to ancestor worship. They also learn sewing and cooking. The Koreans as a nation excel in cooking, and it is considered an important part of every girl's education. Kuemi is an art to which young ladies pay much attention and great skill is often acquired in it by ladies of rank. This is the art of arranging food on dishes for festal occasions. At all feasts immense dishes of meat, fish, cakes, fruits, etc., are placed on the table. These dishes are often piled

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