130 
COSTUME OF THE PEOPLE. 
was protected by the broad-brimmed, bigb-crowned 
Hat of black-stained bamboo network, a bat peculiar, 
I imagine, to tbe people of this remarkable country. 
Grouped around tbis central figure were a few 
soldiers, with tails of red borse-bair depending from 
tbeir bats, and aimed with short swords. A few 
other men about him bad rather an air of supe- 
riority to tbe others. These were distinguished by 
a single peacock’s feather attached to tbe apex 
of the pointed crown of tbeir bats, and banging 
down gracefully over tbe extensive brim. Peacocks 
being unknown in tbe Korea, these feathers, as is 
the case among tbe Chinese, are brought, no doubt, 
as tribute from India, and have been bestowed upon 
those by whom they are worn, as marks of distinc- 
tion, by then' king. It is as a similar mark of 
distinction that tbe Emperor of China presents a 
peacock’s feather to such of bis higher functionaries 
as be desires to reward with some emblem of bis 
especial favour. 
The costume of tbe poorer people is stiH tbe 
same as I find it described in the most complete 
