2
1st. Thursday. Cloud―Steamy.
3
Seoul home. Little showers at intervals. Very hot.
4
The month of August is a month of heat, rain, mould, of mosquitoes, flies and bedbugs. It is one of the least attractive months in Korea. In proportion to its disagreeableness in dirty cities this month makes sea-side beaches, forested mountains most tempting and attractive. Sorry we are not able to go to our beach cottage as we can't leave mother too far. I wish our children could find it possible to have the benefit of sea bathing or of mountain breezes for two or three weeks at least.
6
2nd. Friday. Sunny. Steamy. Hot.
7
Seoul home. Went to Chemulpo with 璋, 琦, 珽 and 瑛姬 for sea bathing. 寶姬 who has to go to school every morning for extra studies as she is in the graduating class, joined us at 2:30 p.m. Returned home by 5:10 train.
10
8 a.m. with 珽善 and 瑛姬 went to Song Do to visit mother. Found Candler home, but Allen was away fishing. Returned to Seoul per 4:40 p.m. train.
11
Now that Kim Hyo Suk(金孝錫) and his family have left Song Do, I miss him whenever I visit Song Do. He worked first for us as outside man for years, then for Candler and then Allen nearly 30 years. He was excessively chatty but he was a harmless likeable person. I understand he has found a job in Chemulpo as a foreman in the Custom House.
13
4th. Sunday. Very hot. Steamy.
14
Seoul home. There is no question about the fact that agriculture in Korea has improved in quantity and quality. Many agricultural products have been introduced to the great benefit of the farmers. Prices have risen. Farmers would have been far better off than they used to be under the old Korean regime―if taxes didn't eat up whatever the farmer gains by better quality and higher price of their produce. The authorities are combing fine to search out whatever little gain the Korean farmers and landowners make to run up taxation so as to keep them as badly off as ever before.
16
5th. Monday. Rain on and off.
17
Seoul home. 9 a.m. with 璋, 珽, went to Chemulpo for seabathing. 琦善 returned by 12:10 train and 珽善 and I by 2:10 p.m. train. Having no playmates they didn't enjoy the trip as much as they did the other day.
18
With Mr. Hong Pyong Sun went outside of the Chang Ui Moon to visit Hyon Dong Wan at his new house in the village of Shin Yung. This little village had a garrison in the olden days to guard the northern approach to Seoul. A big stream runs through the middle of the village. The Methodist church has a fine site with 8,000 tsubos of land on the wooded hill back of the church. 24 or so years ago somebody bought it for 6,000 yang=280 Korean yen. Now the property is worth ￥3°° a tsubo. Had supper then returned quite tired.
20
6th. Tuesday. Beautiful. Hot.
21
Seoul home. 11 a.m. with wife, 明姬, 珽善 and 瑛姬 went to 傳巖亭. Having forgotten to take keys we had to spend the day on the lawns. Children and I enjoyed the day but wife who thinks it is aristocratic to scold and whine always, fretted herself about the heat, about my absent mindedness. If she ever goes to heaven she well complain the golden streets are too glittering. Returned home 8 p.m.
23
7th. Wednesday. Sunny. Hot.
24
Seoul home. Cloudy and steamy all the afternoon.
25
By 11 p.m. train, Nam-mun-bat Halmuni, our 恩姬, 寶姬, 璋姬 and 琦善 left Seoul for Songjun Beach. God grant they shall have refreshing and recuperating holidays by the seashore so that they may all come home strong in body and mind.
26
Got yesterday evening, a circular letter from the Yu Ji Hoi, asking me, as a member of the Co-operating Committee for Miss Pak In Duk's Rural Work, not to authorize her to go to America as a representative of a Christian organization in Korea. I think these people are going too far. They ought to remember that Miss P.I.D. has been victimized by Cynn's "thick-faced" patronization. Had she been left alone by Cynn she would have been all right. If she can get away from Korea and Cynn's baneful influence by going to America why. just let her do so. Why bother a friendless girl?
28
8th. Thursday. Cloud―steamy a.m.
29
Seoul home. Miss P.I.D. called about 10:30 this morning―no doubt to find out my attitude concerning the circular letter. Wife and I invited her to lunch at the Mitsukoshi Restaurant. Our 明, 瑛 and 珽善 accompanied us. After the lunch I told Miss P.I.D. about the letter. She pretending she had never heard of it asked me what I intended to say. I told her that I for one had no reason to oppose her going to America representing a Christian organization. I suggested that the Committee be dissolved to make her act freer.
31
9th. Friday. Sunny. Hot.
32
Seoul home. Yesterday noon Pak In Duk must have come to see me after consultation with Cynn, I was amused to see her affect surprize when I told her of the Yuji Hoi's note. Before I told her that she asked my opinion about closing up her office in the C.L.S. building which costs her ￥25°° per month. She further volunteered the statement that rural betterment work is so vigorously pushed by the Government that she finds it impossible to compete with the officials in villages. This led me to suggest to her to dissolve the Co-operating Committee in order to make her free to order her own personal movements. The members of the Committee can then say to the Yuji Hoi that they have nothing to do with the personal affairs of P.I.D.
34
10th. Saturday. Beautiful. Hot.
35
Seoul home. This morning called on Helen Kim. She is just getting over a spell of dyspepsia. She said Ma Jong Yu, the Korean contractor who should have finished the Dormitory by the end of June is so far behind his work that it is doubtful whether it could be ready for occupation in September. A Korean contractor rarely lives up to his contract terms.
36
With 珽善 and 瑛善, spent the day in Boo Am Jung. The atmosphere so clear and clean, inspite of the heat, that the autumn seems to have already begun among these hills.
38
11th. Sunday. Beautiful.
39
Seoul home. Yi Jang Han from Sai Mal tells me that it is very dry in that part of the country.
40
Our uncle shows a spirit rather unbecoming his position and age. He wants to annex everything that he can lay claim for his second son(cousin No. 2) at our expense. There used to stand a fine old oak tree inside our boundary contiguous to cousin's property. Uncle had it cut a year or so ago saying that it belonged to him because he had planted it some 60 years ago. Why couldn't he tell me or Allen to take good care of the tree as a family treasure? He now claims all the servants cottages belong to his second son and orders that they be so registered. He doesn't seems to recognize the fact that I have spent thousands of Yen during the last 20 years to help his sons, cousins No. 1, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5. Does he know that his praying son, cousin No.2 borrowed ￥20,000.00 from Allen, while I was in prison 1914; that he paid back ￥5,000.00 only in 1929; that he owes me still ￥15,000.00 all without interest?
43
Left Seoul 8:20 train for our Song Jun Beach home with 珽善 and 瑛善. Rain from about 8 on and off most of the day. Reached our Song Jun Station little after 5 p.m. What a joy to be welcomed by our precious children at the Station. Thank God.
45
13th. Tuesday. Cloudy.
46
Song Jun Beach. The sea is rough but we enjoyed bathing.
47
We have found everything in good order in our Beach home. Inspite of the closeness to sea, the papered walls show no signs of mould and discoloration.
48
Papers report that yesterday morning a Lieut. Colonel stabbed to death, Lieut. Genl. Nagata, Director of the Military Affairs Bureau, in his office. Two years ago a bunch of young army officers assassinated the Prime Minister of Japan. Call that a friction between the civil and military services of the Government.
49
This time a high military officer assassinates his superior in the war office. Of course our Japanese friends will glorify these acts of violence as a praise worthy display of Yamato Tamashi. Then where is the spirit of subordination which must be absolutely essential to military discipline? Can you say that assassination is a part of Yamato-Tamashi? Nobody doubts the bravery of the Japanese soldier. One can't help wishing he would add to his bravery the gentlemanly magnanimity of the English.
51
14th. Wednesday. Beautiful.
52
Song Jun Beach. We all have enjoyed sea-bathing today.
54
15th. Thursday. Beautiful.
55
Son Jun Beach. The sea is calmer, the weather is beautiful. Children are having lovely time playing in the shallow sea along the sandy beach.
56
Left the Beach per 2:07 p.m. train. Got on board of the Seoul train at An Byon Station 3:34. The cars were crowded and the heat was great but our children behaved well. Arriving at the South Gate Station 9:30, we were all grateful to be welcomed by our dear ones who had stayed home, wife and Myong Huie.
57
Well, so we have had a few days of sea-side pleasure. A very agreeable surprize to me who had hardly expected to visit our Beach this summer. Only three days but far better than none. God be thanked for it.
59
16th. Friday. Beautiful. Hot.
62
17th. Saturday. Beautiful. Very hot.
63
Seoul home. The ride through the Sambang valley, pretty as it is, always makes me pessimistic about Koreans. The mountains rising tier after tier on both sides of the valley would and should have been clothed with magnificent forests. The inhabitants who live in these beautiful valleys could have built their cottages with the finest timber. But alas! The mountains have been ruthlessly denuded so that they are covered now only with shrubs and vines while in many places ugly white streaks of landslide testify how vile man has been where nature struggles to be beautiful. The wretched huts are supported by mere twigs. These de-beautified mountains and these poor peasants add very sorry pages to the history of the last Dynasty. The Confucian priests, the Yangbans, the scholars, the Kings―what good have they done to the people during the five long centuries?
65
18th. Sunday. Beautiful. Very hot.
66
Left Seoul 8 a.m. train for Song Do with 珽善 and 瑛姬 and 瑛姫. Found mother and Allen's family all well. Returned to Seoul by 4:42 p.m. train.
67
This dry heat is hard on farmers. The drought in South Junla Province and in our part of Choong Nam Do is so great that famine in these two provinces seems to be certain.
69
19th. Monday. Cloudy. Steamy. Hot.
70
Seoul home. Between 2 and 4:30 very welcome showers.
71
If what Kim Hong Sik says is true, Kim Joon Ok, the Principal of the Song Do H.C. School must be losing the good will of his colleagues and of the Song Do patrons. His main failure seems to be his arrogant manners. As an instance Kim H.S. cites the fact that when Jung Sa Yon, the band instructor goes into the Princepal's office, K.J.O. simply looks at him and nod in such haughty way that Jung swears he would quit the job if he had some other means of living. I can believe this because I have myself noticed the discourtious behavior on the part of Kim Joon Ok toward Snyder and to Jung Kwang Hyon. Kim J.O. asked Jung K.H. for a subscription to the Song Do Shool endowment fund. Jung wrote down ￥50.00. Kim again tore that up compelling him to subscribe ￥100.00.
73
20th. Tuesday. Steamy.
74
Seoul home. Wife with 珽善 and 瑛姬 and 明姬 went to Chi Chang's villa outside the Chang Ui Moon yesterday evening with Suhmo to spend the night there. So this morning I went there with 寶姬. Very steamy. Rain from 2 p.m. on and off all the afternoon. Returned to city 7 p.m. with wife and children. Steamy rain all the evening far into the night.
76
21st. Wednesday. Brilliant. Steamy. Hot.
77
Seoul home. Our Joseph's school began its Fall term this morning 8. The principal gave long lecture lasting 30 full minutes. He has the funny habit of holding his left hand with its palm up a little slanting downward and rubbing it with his right palm all the time while he speaks.
78
A vigorous "sonaki" a little past 2 p.m. Then showers on and off all the afternoon. A torrential down pour between 5 and 6.
79
Station to see Mr. Wilbur leave for China. Sorry to loss him. I wish Barnhart and not Wilbur was leaving Korea. Barnhart is too servile to Cynn to be of any good.
80
Took a tram-car ride to the river back with Joseph.
82
22th. Thursday. Pale sun. Steamy.
83
Seoul home. Rain in the morning. It seems a second rainy season has set in. Steamy and sticky with showers in between pale sunshines.
84
Our little Joseph has to go to school 7:30 a.m.
85
Lunch at Lily Garden. Had cousin Chi Yung, Koo J.O. and Joseph with me for lunch. Took a tram car ride to the river with Joseph.
86
A tremendous down pour 9~10 p.m.
88
23rd. Friday. Steamy. Sticky. Rainy.
89
Seoul home. Steady rain from early morning till 4 p.m.
90
Miss Pak In Duk called about 2 p.m. She told me that through a friend's introduction, she had interviewed Mr. Sayeki(佐伯) , the Chief of the Provincial Police Bureau asking him to exert his offices in getting her passport to America; that she found him a very considerate man; that he promised not only to do everything he could for her himself but also he gave suggestions whom to see and how to write applications.
91
She further said that it was Kim Tai Woo who introduced her to the Chief. That gave me the key to construct a circle around which she moved: viz: Cynn― Jang Jik Sang(the father of C.'s son-in-law) ―Kim Tai Woo―Sayeki―Pak In Duk. She asked me to sign a paper guaranteeing that I would hold myself responsible for (1) her traveling expenses to and from America: for (2) her sojourning expenses in the States; and for (3) whatever expenses she might need during this trip. I had to decline to sign it (1) because the responsibility was too unlimited; (2) because she could and should have asked Cynn to stand guarantor for her; (3) because as she is moved in all her actions by the machinations of Cynn and his co-schemers, I would hate very much to place myself, by signing a paper, in their demonish power.
92
6 p.m. asked Messrs. Yi Kap Soo, Yu Ok Kyum, Koo J.O. to take supper at Boit Grand Restaurant.
96
25th. Sunday. Beautiful.
97
Left seoul 8:20 with wife. 明姬, 瑛姬 and 珽善 for the Inner Diamond Mt. Reaching Chul Won 10:58 a.m. boarded the Electric train for Jang An Sa, a little past 11:25 arriving at the Inner Diamond Station about 3:20. Dr. Ryang met us at the Station. Registered at the Kum Kang San Inn. Had a refreshing bath in the stream in front of the inn.
98
We then went to the Jang An Sa temple. The road from the Station to the temple is well built while a fine bridge spans the stream in front of the temple. We enjoyed the icy cold water that is conveyed to the temple through wooden pipe from the depth of the mountain behind the temple.
100
26th. Monday. Pretty.
101
Jang An Sa. Six years ago I visited Jang An Sa. Had wretched three days―it was rainy, the inn was crowded and uncomfortable. Since that time much improvement was taken place in the matter of roads and of inns. The grandeur and beauty of these everlasting mountains and streams are indescribable. To compare Suk Wang Sa with the Diamond Mts. is something like comparing a tallow candle with an incandescent lamp.
102
8 p.m. the 8th Triennial Conference of the National Council of the Korean Y.'s was held in the Town Hall. All went smoothly.
104
27th. Tuesday. Beautiful.
105
Jang An Sa. Yesterday after early lunch we went out sightseeing as far as Man Pok Dong about 10 li from the inn. A broad flat rock has the priceless caligraph of Yang Bong Nai 蓬萊楓嶽元化洞天 carved into it. A "ba-took" board on which he played "ba-took' is also cut into the rock. This valuable writing ought to be railed off to keep it from being effaced by the innumerable feet that thoughtlessly tramp over it. Returned to our inn quite tried about 5 p.m.
106
The Triennial Meeting of National Council of the Korean Y.M.C.A. began its session in the Town Hall at 9 a.m. Every thing went off smoothly. The meeting adjourned a little past 12.
107
8:30 p.m. the Student Summer Conference began its meeting in the Town Hall. The meeting was opened with a short talk from me―After mutual introduction the meeting was adjourned.
109
28th. Wednesday. Beautiful.
110
Jang An Sa. The Student Summer Conference held its meeting in Town Hall from 8 a.m. Messrs. Kim Chang Jei and Cho Man Sik gave good talks.
112
29th. Thursday. Lovely.
113
Jang An Sa. The Students' Conference in the Town Hall. At 1l Pastor Chai Pil Kyun gave an instructive talk on the Life of a Preacher.
114
A little rain between 7 and 8 p.m.
116
30th. Friday. Beautiful.
117
Rose early to prepare for journey home. Left Jang An Sa 10:20 a.m. and the Kum Kang Station 10:55 reaching Chul Won 3:30 p.m. where we boarded the train for Seoul 3:55. Arrived Seoul 6:30. Welcomed by our beloved children at the Station.
118
Thank God the four days's trip to and from the Inner Diamond Mt. has proved a great recreation to us all especially to wife and the two little children.
120
31st. Saturday. Beautiful.
121
Seoul home. Went to the Jai Dong Primary School with 珽善 as he didn't relish going to school after so many holidays.
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