COREA. 
525 
were executed in the last persecution. Coreans can build very strong 
stone bridges, but they do not know enough engineering to bridge a 
deep or swift river ; but any workmen who could build the splendid 
solid arches to be found in the city gates and other fortifications 
could also buiid stone bridges if they knew how to make them secure 
under the water. 
(6.) MANUFACTURES. 
What manufacturing industries have you come across ? I have 
seen silk being made in Kang-Ouen-To, at a small village. I believe it 
is largely made in the country, and can there be bought for about 
100 cash per cha , which is nearly a yard, but of course it is dearer in 
towns. The silk is coarse, and can only be got in narrow widths. 
The silk is also dyed various colours, but the dye is not usually fast, 
and rain makes it “run” very frequently. 
Earthenware pottery I have also seen being made, both large 
Jcimch'i vats and small coarse china vessels. Wooden bowls and vats 
I have also seen. Iron is also found and worked, as also gold and 
silver. Paper is largely made, and oil paper, native cloth, wooden 
shoes, string shoes, leather shoes, hats, mangours , &c. 
(7.) PAWNSHOPS. 
Do you know anything about pawnshops ? Pawnshops are very 
common in Corea. Pawnbrokers are called Chyen-tan-chapi . No 
Government license is necessary out of Soul. I do not know whether 
it is different in Soul, but I should think not. Anyone may “ practise” 
as a pawnbroker if he likes, and it is a very lucrative calling, but 
requires a large capital, and so is not overstocked. It is not regarded 
as at all a “low” sort of business in Corea, and to engage in it 
entails no loss of caste, though, of course, nyangpans are not sup- 
posed to undertake any merchant’s work. A pawnbroker ranks as an 
ordinary merchant. Women can engage in the trade without the 
same loss of caste as those women who sell wine. Of course, as a 
rule, the pawnbrokers are men, but there are women too. The usual 
and accepted rate of interest charged is 10 per cent, per month on the 
money received for the article pledged. Thus, if a man receives 
1,000 cash for an article he pledges, he must pay 1,100 at the 
end of the month to get it restored; he may arrange to go on 
paying the interest month after month if he cannot afford to 
redeem his pledge, but it is also within the rights of the broker 
to sell it, if he wishes, if it is not redeemed at the end of the time 
it is pledged for. If a broker sells the pledge before the time is 
expired, he can be summoned before the magistrate and made to get 
it back, or pay for it. 
It may interest you also to know that suits of clothing may be 
hired out from shops in Soul for wear during short residence in Soul. 
There are guaranteed the proper and fashionable Soul “ cut,” so that 
no one will know the gentleman who wears them hails from the 
country. They charge 10 per cent, on their nominal value, however, 
for every five days’ wear, and decline to supply them without good 
references. Soul men who are poor, and wish to “ cut a dash” for a 
short time, often get their swell clothes like this. 
