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VOL. XV. (2) KOREA 109 
addressed, and in some cases the person spoken of. The 
language is composed partly of words of native origin, but 
in large measure of words borrowed from Chinese stock, 
as we have borrowed from Greek and Latin. The pro- 
nunciation of these words, borrowed I000—2000 years 
ago, has followed absolutely fixed rules, both in Japanese 
and Korean, and thus they form the best sources from 
which to learn what ancient Chinese was. Pure Cantonese 
and the borrowed Chinese words of the Annamese 
language, confirm these indications in every single point. 
Chinese is the written language in general use in 
records, books, -and despatches. When read aloud it 
is translated into Korean forthwith. The style of com- 
position in Chinese is extremely antiquated, and many of 
the words bear the meaning, not of to-day, but of 1000 
years since. This is the only language which is studied 
in Korea. The literature, which is extensive and well 
printed, is all in Chinese. The Korean written language 
is extremely simple and easy to learn. For this reason it 
is left to women and children. The only official use of it 
is in proclamations. The literature is so scanty that it 
can hardly be said to exist, though there are such things 
as lending libraries of Korean books. No record exists of 
the date of its introduction, which is placed by different 
writers between the fourth and ninth centuries A.D. It 
consists of eleven vowels and fourteen consonants. 
Korea has three religions—Confucianism, Buddhism 
and Shamanism. In every town the only building which 
rivals that of the local official is the Confucian Temple. 
The place is left desolate at all times, except when the 
annual ceremonies are performed; ordinarily not a single 
_ person is seen in the large courtyards which surround 
the buildings. Buddhism has its Temples—buildings in 
some cases of great beauty. But in contrast with the 
Confucian Temples, which strike the eye of the traveller, 
