That Corea cannot remain a sealed-up book for many more years is what eve one sees but the Coreans themselves. It is very advantageously situated for trade, and ocoupied by an industrious population lies between two more powerful races on its east and west, both of whom are noteable for commercial activity. It occupies a central position between the Russian settlements on the Amoor coast and the English commercial Settlement of Shanghai. Tt stands in the midst of those marine highways, the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea, which each year are traversed by an' ever-increasing number of merchant steamers, Inland seas promote traffic and the intercourse of distant cities. To cross the sea is to become acquainted with new customs and habits of thought and language. The position of Corea is eminently favourable for a civilising development. The people of that peninsula would be very much the better for it in their morals and in their minds, as well as in material respects. Credible accounts assure us that the strata of coal and iron-stone which are of such immense extent in China are continued into Corea, and the natives describe the coal and copper of Corea as very abundant, It could not be otherwise. Coren, therefore, might be expected to be rich in coal just as Shansi, Chihli and Japan are rich in coal. What might be expected to be the case is actually the case, as shown by the testimony of the natives, though authors on Qorea do not mention the fact.
If Russia were to conquer the northeastern part of Corea she would obtain possession of valuable copper mines, pointed out by the natives in localities in that part of the map of their country, Four years have passed since the Tapanese treaty was made, and the execution of another such document by some other nation is still a contingency of the future, A favourable opportunity for make ing a treaty has so far been lost. When the Japanese lind finished their negotiations, another Power might with advantage have pressed for similar privileges. But the occasion has lipped by. "In these circumstances it would be a good thing to reconsider what should be done. 'The Coreans want advice and aid from' China against Russia. The Chinese cannot give to the Corean Ambassador now in the capital of the Celestial Empire anything but sympathy and—condolin, regrets. They can "promise them. aid in negotiating, but none in fighting. The Coreans would be delighted to make a treaty with any strong foreign Power that would befriend them in the case of lo advances from their dangerous neighbour on the north-east. The Chinese and the Coreans are alike afraid of Russia having designs on Corea. It is much on the mind of the Governor of Shansi in his now duties. He has charge of 40,000 or 50,000 men on the Manchurian coast-line, his own head-quarters being now at Shanhai Kuan. From that point to Moukden the whole country is garrisoned according to the old ideas of the Chinese, a legion of 600 in each encampment. Beyond Moukden to the east and south-east no provision years to have been made against Russia in case of wat. It is this that troubles the minds of the Corean statesmen, and led to their sending their Embassy.
Let it be well understood that the Goreans are not so poor as has been said, They have endless supplies of coal, copper, and iron. Beggars are few in Corea compared with China, The mountains are numerous, but they are well-wooded, and woods are'one of the chief constituents in making a emutry rich. The piaing are certainly fertile, "The history of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.