484 
PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION E. 
A glance at the map shows that Corea is a mountainous peninsula 
running southwards from Manchuria, from which it is divided on the 
north-west by the Yaloo River and on the north-east by the Tiu-men 
River. This peninsula is situated to the west of the islands of Japan, 
from the nearest of which it is only forty miles distant. Though 
Corea is so close to China and Japan, the people who inhabit the 
peninsula are a perfectly distinct race from the Man clius, Chinese, 
and Japanese, and have a distinct language and a peculiar character 
of their own. With regard to the origin of the Coreans we know 
nothing. If we try to trace their historical beginnings, we are lost 
in fogs of Chinese myths and Japauese variations of them, while 
our knowledge of the Corean language and superstitions is as yet 
insufficient to enable the ethnologist or philologist to help us solve 
the problem. 
With regard to Corean history, the main fact to be borne in mind 
is that for centuries Corea has been a shuttlecock between China and 
Japan ; that China has ever been the friend and protector of the 
Coreans, and the Japanese have ever been the enemies of the 
Coreans; that in the times of Chinese weakness Japan has made 
raids on Corea, accompanied with ruthless acts of massacre and 
cruelty; that in all these raids Japan has at first carried everything 
before her, but that China has in the end slowly and deliberately driven 
the Japanese from the country. The moment the Chinese have driven 
the Japanese out, they have themselves retired from the country,, 
and left the Coreans to govern themselves and to peacefully develop 
their own prosperity. China, in her foreign relations, does not on the 
whole cut a very creditable figure; but the whole history of her 
conduct to Corea shows China in a very favourable light — in fact, her 
conduct towards her weaker neighbour might serve as an example to 
many Christian States, and, as conduct of a non-Christian State, it is 
unique in the world’s history. 
In the tenth century of our era the Coreans were divided into 
three States, called respectively Korai, Potzi, and Sinra. Korai 
embraced the northern part of Corea and part of Manchuria, and lias 
always been enthusiastic in its devotion to China. Potzi embraced 
the centre of Corea, in which is situated the old capital, Songto, and 
the present capital, Soul. Sinra embraced the south of Corea, and the 
islands of Tchushima and Goto which now form part of the dominions 
of Japan. In the beginning of the twelfth century the Chief of Korai 
subjugated Potzi and Sinra, and formed the kingdom of Corea, which 
was then called the Kingdom of the Three Han, the Han being a 
Chinese dynasty which reigned b.c. 200 to a.d. 200, and from which 
the Coreans believed themselves to be offshoots. The centre of Corea, 
Potzi, has been always adverse to all foreigners ; it has always 
advocated Corea for the Coreans ; and it has been its exclusiveness 
that has made the title “ Hermit Nation” so appropriate as a designa- 
tion of the country. With regard to Sinra, owiug to its vicinity to 
Japan and the constant trade between it and Japan, it was not quite 
as adverse to Japan as the States of Korai and Potzi. 
In the thirteenth century the Mongols conquered China, and the 
King of Corea (Korai now giving the name to the whole peninsula) 
had no resource but to yield reluctantly to the great Khan Kublai, 
who seated himself on the throne of China. 
