2
1st. (11th of leap 3rd Moon). Sunday. Hot.
3
This is the first time in 14 years that I have spent in home this particular season of the year. Our own place and the surrounding orchards are gay with flowers pale, pink, white, yellow and red. Every prospect pleases but man in this unfortunate land.
4
To the Club as usual. A Christian member of the Club, 鄭沂埈, set a good example by presenting to the Society fifteen sets of the Corean translation of the "19th Century." This may become the nucleus for a future library.
5
The present government is now composed of men noted for their caution. None of them has the back-bone to inaugurate a good measure or to check the evil deeds of His Majesty. The public treasury is being shamelessly plundered by His Majesty and a serious doubt is entertained as to the probability of paying the salaries of the coming month.
6
The people are now squeezed by governors, magistrates, royal inspectors, departmental inspectors, police and soldiers. The stories of wrongs which we can't but hear every day make us shudder. But to whom may we appeal? To the King? No! To the people? No! If the King is a bad man utterly incapable of anything noble or good, the people are ignorant, stupid and incapable of raising and maintaining a respectable and orderly insurrection.
8
2nd. (12th). Monday. Hot.
9
At 4 p.m. went to the 日進會 (Daily Progressing Society) to make an address. One thing hopeful in this hopeless country is the growing activity of young men as shown in societies and in schemes for newspapers etc.
10
From a private communication from America I learn that Prince Uiwha is not behaving himself as he should. In speaking of the sexual impatience of the Crown, Dr. Jaisohn said, "Thank God, there will be no more of his race!"
11
Ma-po(삼) is one of the most substantial villages on the river. Its inhabitants are suffering from robbers every night. I said to one of the leading men of the place "Why don't you ask for protection from the Police Department?" "We have but so for no answer." replied he, "But" he continued, "What is the use of having policemen here? In the first place, they wouldn't be the natives of the village, hence wouldn't take much interest in its welfare. Secondly, if they succeeded in capturing one or two robbers and turned them over to authorities, the latter would set them free after going through certain legal mummeries." "If that be the case," said, I "Why don't the people here organize a sort of local police for mutual protection?" "That the people wouldn't do. Their neighbors may lose tens of thousands of dollars; as long as they are not touched, they care not to give a cent for the promotion of general welfare." replied my friend.
12
If I ever thought (which I have never done) it possible to have a representative popular assembly in Corea, I give it up now. A people who have so little public spririt or so little sense as to see their neighbors robbed every night without lifting a finger to help them―can such a people be entrusted with the weighty matters of the country?
14
5th. (15th). Thursday. Beautiful.
15
Much dust has, of late, been raised by the Club in regard to Dr. Jaisohn's disengagement. Letters have been written to the Cabinet asking it to retain Dr. Jaisohn. Last Saturday three fellows collected a number of people outside of the South Gate and after making a few speeches, appointed themselves the Committee to draw up a resolution asking the Foreign Office to retain Dr. Jaisohn. They call this gathering a great mass meeting of the people and call themselves the representatives of the people!
16
Start a ball rolling from the summit of a high hill. Everything, even obstacles conspire to accelerate its downward course. Let a man once get on the wave of success, everybody vies with his neighbors in doing something to heighten the popularity.
18
6th. (16th). Friday. Pretty.
19
Spent most of the day at Han Sei Chin's Messrs Kim No Wan and Yi were present.
20
Concerning the follies of His Majesty, the following story was told by Han: "Some years ago when sorceresses had their day in the Palace it was a common occurrence to see His Majesty prostrate himself before a mudang or sorceress acting as the medium through which the spirits of other world communicated their wants and dasires to the King and Queen. One night while a mudang danced shaking dry oak branches over the head of the King the spirit of the Founder of the Dynasty possessed the woman who screamed to the King "I am the Taicho Dai Wang! To whom do you owe your greatness and royal fortunes? Upon which the King bowed and prayed to the woman as if she were his ancestor indeed and in truth and ordered a maid of honor(尙官) to find out the desires of the Founder. Of course the sorceress in the name of the Spirit demanded that certain prayers and sacrifices should be offered―which meant a heap of money and silk to her.
21
The pity of it all is that His Majesty is still indulging in such follies.
22
At 7 p.m. Dr. Jaisohn asked to see me. He told me to take charge of the Independent―both vernacular and English. "Do this." said he, "for the sake of the people, for your sake and for my own. It is a grand work and better than being a Vice-President under the present government. Russians ask me to sell the plant to them for10,000(一萬元) , but I would rather starve than sell the paper to a Russian. When you take charge of the paper do abstain from politics and personalities. Hold to it and keep it alive for at least a year at two and we shall have a change."
23
Jaisohn told me to my utter surprise that Dr. Underwood is circulating disparaging remarks concerning me and Jaisohn.
24
In talking about the King's discriminating treatment of himself, Jaisohn said, "His Majesty has given handsome presents to all foreigners retiring from his service. Five thousand yen to Alexeieff, two thousand to Nienstead etc. etc. but not a cent to me. He gives pretty and costly souvenirs, such as silver cup stands, silver napkin rings etc. to the Underwoods, the Bunkers, the Allens etc. but not a thing to my wife. Mrs. Jaisohn, true to her womanly nature, feels a little unhappy at such discrimination and asks me why the King treats us so. All I can say to her is that the costly presents from the King are extorted from the blood of the people and that such a gift may bring a bad luck to the house etc. I speak of this not for the sake of the present, but isn't it strange that the Majesty should not recognize the fact that I am of the same blood and flesh as he―a Corean!"
25
Came back exceedingly disturbed at the thought that I may not be able to sustain the reputation of the papers. I may conduct the Corean part in a fashion; but I am sure I can not carry on the English portion with any shade of success. God help me to decide aright in the matter!
26
A German has a house near the new Palace in Chungdong. He paid400.00 for it. The King wants to buy it. The modest Teuton asks15,000(一萬五千元) and the King agrees to pay him. Krien, the German consul himself says "No one thrives in Korea but cutthroats, thieves and liars."
28
11th. (21st). Wednesday. Pretty.
29
An agreement of the Independent Newspaper Co. was signed. The Company is composed of Dr. P. Jaisohn, Rev. Appenzeller. J. was engaged for one year as the Editor, in fact, and the manager of the Independent. Dr. Jaisohn, as the Editor and Proprietor of the concern receives600 per year. The Company pays Rev. Appenzeller ＄360 pre year and me720. With Dr. Jaisohn took a quiet dinner at Mr. Min Yong Chan's.
30
Came home awfully uneasy and disturbed for the burden. I have undertaken to carry for the space of a year. I can't see how I shall be able to keep the papers ( ) . Neither sleep nor appetite.
32
12th. (22nd). Thursday. Pretty.
33
Began my duties in the Independent Office. Unhappy and nervous all the day long.
35
14th. (13th). Satursday. Pretty-windy.
36
At 10 a.m. went to Riongsan to bid farewell to Dr. Jaisohn. Over thirty people, all members of the Club were present. Tears were in all the eyes. What a glorious change for Jaisohn. In 1884, he left Corea with the hatred and curses of all―high and low. Then any Corean might have killed him like a dog and for that he would have been regarded as the most loyal subject in the kingdom. But today Jaisohn leaves Seoul. The corrupt ruling power hates him but the people are with him. They respect and love him. Instead of trying to kill him, many are willing (at least so they say) to gives their lives for him if necessary.
38
23rd. (4th of 4th Moon) Monday. Warm.
39
A week in the newspaper work. It is a hard job. Get dry after every issue. In this fashion, how am I to carry it on?
40
Feel surprised and grieved that Dr. Underwood has not a kind word for me. He takes every opportunity to speak something against the paper. Reverend Alexand Renmure hunts after news, is fussy and, without paying a cent, wants to read the Special Telegrams for which the Legations and a few others pay5.00 per month. Yet, the Reverend gentleman wouldn't aid me a bit for reading these telegrams. Five examples of the Gospel truth these gentlemen are setting before us heathens.
42
30th. (11th). Monday. Pretty.
43
This morning Col. Yi Hak Kiun called on me and said that His Majesty desires the Club to agitate the question of the Japanese garrison in Corea with the view of demanding its withdrawal. Told Col. Yi that I would think over the subject. Poor King! Instead of concerning himself about the Japanese garrison which was brought to Corea by his own misgovernment, he ought to cease extorting money from the people. Establish a permanent peace in the country, the Japanese soldiers will go of their own sweet will.
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