KOREA— THE HERMIT NATION 



153 



fJUARDIAN OF THE TEMPLE OF THE 



III i)¥ WAU 



material for the stone-workers of the country. The delicacy of treat- 

 ment shown in the huge dogs guarding the palace gate and the skill 

 shown in the picture of the guardian of the temple of the god of 

 war confirm the Korean boast that from them Japan and China re- 

 ceived a large part of their skill and taste in art. However this may 

 be, it is undeniable that Korean art must have l)een at one tinie of 

 high character. 



One of the objects of interest in Seoul, and, though in audible evi- 

 dence eacli da}', seen bj^ few foreigners, is the great bell. Unlike the 

 great bell of Moscow, the big bell of Seoul, said to be tliird in size 

 in the world, is as perfect today as when first cast, and as the cen- 

 turies roll l)y its tone grows mellower and more musical. It hangs 

 in its original tower, in the center of the city, where its sonorous 

 boom fills the air to all parts of Seoul and has oi)ened and ckisetl the 

 gates of the city for nearly five centuries. 



