136 
MODES OF SALUTATION. 
by these uncouth gentry, we could not fail to be 
reminded, moreover, of the contrast between their 
rude manners and the graceful salutations of the 
polished Japanese ; or between their vulgar and ob- 
trusive curiosity, and the polite forms of the people 
of the Floweiy Land. These Koreans seem to have 
no idea of a generous and refined hospitality to 
strangers. Towards us individually they did not 
show a single mark of respect, and treated us with 
but scant courtesy. Their treatment of us did not 
proceed from ignorance, for they have a code of 
etiquette which is strictly followed among them- 
selves, the poorer classes prostrating themselves 
before their superiors. 
Most races of men have some peculiar mode of 
salutation, some of them, to us, apjiarcntly highly 
original. The Tartars scratch their ears and put 
out their tongues ; a custom which ‘affords M. Hue 
an • occasion for one of his delicate strokes of 
humour. That adventurous missionary, finishing 
the account of his interview with the chief of the 
police at La-Ssa, in which he was accompanied by 
