Max & Max

Max & Max

Robert M. Gray

document was produced using Otfried Cheongs HyperLatex package, available from http://www.cs.uu.nl/ otfried/Hyperlatex/. Updated July 31, 2005

1 This

c Robert M. Gray, 1990, 20002003

Contents
Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preface 1 1889 25 March . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1890 31 January . . 10 February . . 30 May . . . . 28 July . . . . . 9 August . . . . 719 November 3 1891 19 February . 23 February . 27 March . . 6 April . . . . 23 May . . . 31 July . . . . 30 August . . 22 September 20 October . 25 November 4 December . 12 December 17 December 25 December iii v 1 1 5 5 6 7 9 12 16 21 21 22 23 24 26 30 31 33 35 42 48 51 57 62

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iv 4 1892 6 January . . 17 January . 30 January . 10 February . 13 February . 19 February . 11 March . . 10 July . . . . 13 July . . . . 17 July . . . . 18 July . . . . 19 July . . . . 20 July . . . . 21 July . . . . 23 July . . . . 30 July . . . . 10 August . . 16 September 20 September 17 October .

CONTENTS 65 65 67 69 69 70 71 72 74 76 77 78 79 80 81 81 82 83 84 85 86 91 91 94 95 108 109

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5 1893 8 January . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bibliography Index

Preface
Augustine Heard served as the U.S. Minister/General Consul to Korea from July 1890 through 1893. He was appointed to the position by James G. Blaine, Benjamin Harrisons Secretary of State. In a letter in 1889 to Russell Gray, AH admits that the appointment almost certainly resulted from Blaines interest in Amy Heard Gray rather than Blaines interest in him. Amys connection with the Blaines goes back at least to 1881, when Mrs. James G. Blaine mentions[1] hearing Amys sister Max sing at the the Outreys, the family of the French Minister Plenipotentiary (the equivalent of an ambassador to a backwater like the U.S.). The friendship is likely much older, however, as the parents of Mrs. Blaine, the former Harriet Bailey Stanwood, lived in Ipswich, Augustine Heard Massachusetts, before moving to Maine. Hence they likely knew the Heards, one of the most prominent families of Ipswich. Blaine himself was one of the most famous politicians of his day. After marrying Harriet, he moved back to Maine with her and began a career as a newspaper man and politician. He was a founder of the Republican party and served in congress from 1863 through 1876, servv

vi

PREFACE

ing as speaker for much of the time. In 1876 he was appointed to the senate, where he served until 1881. He sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1876, but lost to Rutherford B. Hayes, largely due to the taint of a railroad graft scandal that was to haunt him throughout his career. He tried again in 1880, but lost to James A. Gareld. He became Garelds secretary of state, but resigned in 1881 when Gareld was shot. Nominated for president in 1884, he lost to Grover Cleaveland. In 1888 he refused candidacy and helped Benjamin Harrison get nominated. When Harrison won, Blaine again became Secretary of State: 18891892. In 1889 Amy wrote to her friend Mrs. Blaine asking her to urge her husband to do something for AH. Blaine was disposed to help, but wished to know what sort of thing AH had in mind. AH traveled to Washington to discuss the matter, and after being somewhat put o nally spoke with Blaine. What transpired seems to be that AH requested the position of minister to China, but Blaine refused observing that China was the most important position in all of Asia and required a seasoned diplomat. He oerred instead a position as Consul in Hong Kong or China, but AH seemed to think a Consular position beneath him. Given his nancial hardship at the time, his failed business, and his complete lack of experience outside the business world, this suggests that AH might not have been an easy personality to deal Helen Maxima Heard with. His letters generally indicate constant depression and unhappiness. Blaine then asked AH if he knew anything of Corea, to which AH replied he did not. Blaine oerred him the position as Minister and General Consul. AH was again reluctant, but after considering and discussing the matter for a few days accepted. His letters thereafter give full and grateful credit for Amys assistance in

PREFACE

vii

gaining the post. AH served in Korea from July 1890 through his resignation in March 1893 during the rule of King Kojong during a time of much intrigue and political maneuvering among China, Japan, the European states, Russia, and the U.S. for inuence in Korea. Kojong, also called Li Hsi or Li Hi, came indirectly to the throne at the age of twelve when in 1864 King Cholchong died without an heir and his widow adopted the young boy with royal blood, and placed him on the throne. His father, Prince Yi Hungson, became regent with the title Taewongun or Prince Parent. The Taewongun despised foreigners and would continually cause trouble and foment revolution for the remainder of his life[5]. Kojong assumed real power when he came of age in 1873. He remained King until 1897 when he became emperor until his death in 1907. Kojong proved to be weak and passive, but kind and courteous and deeply religious. In contrast, his wife, Queen Min Myongsong, had a strong personality and assisted her husband in escaping the inuence of the Taewongun. She, too, would cause great controversy during her career and would nally die at the hands of Japanese assassins. Her family, the Min, exerted strong inuence in the Korean government during Heards tenure. Korea was then ocially newly independent of China, but China viewed her as a vassle state while the Western nations tried to encourage her to act independently. In the midst of all of this Japan was preparing an invasion of Korea, which occurred after AHs departure and the occupation lasted until the end of World War II. While in Korea Maximilian von Brandt AHs daughter Max wrote Amy regularly, describing the diculties of life in Seoul. The mail was picked up and received roughly every ten days,

viii

PREFACE

so that many of the letters show the stress of last minute writing to catch the mail before it left. Her father wrote the state department often and he is quoted often in Balance of Intrigue: International Rivalry in Korea and Manchuria 18841899, by G. A. Lensen[5]. Maxs letters describe ordinary life among the European diplomatic community, as well as visits to meet the royal family and a tour of China. Her romance with Maximillian August von Brandt, the German minister to China, is described in some detail. Brandt was 32 years her senior, but he is transformed from an elegant importunate old man to a gentle and passionate lover as time progresses. They married in Seoul against the Kaisers wishes, so Brandt was sacked and recalled to Germany, whither Max went with him. In a long letter in May 1893 from the Oldenburg in the Malacca straits Max described her marriage in detail and lists her wedding presents. When they returned to Germany Brandt wrote books and the two became the equivalent of local nobility. They had one child, Elizabeth, who later

Max Heard in 1908 in Weimar

Max, Max, and Elizabeth (age 15) in Weimar, 1913

married Alexander von Shimp, a journalist and reservist in the German Army. He was called up and sent to Africa with Rommel, where he was eventually captured and sent to a POW camp in Virginia. I met his son, Peter Alexander von Shimp in

PREFACE

ix

Frankfurt in 1997. The photos of Max and Max were obtained from him. This is a work in progress, and that progress is slow. I hope to steadily transcribe and translate the letters and provide background information for the intriguing romance portrayed in the letters. Letters in French are transcribed directly, with only obvious (to me) faults corrected. Maxs French was not perfect, but it was generally pretty good so I have usually left it alone. French words interlaced in the English letters have been left alone, and French expressions that are common in English are left alone in the translated French letters. Question marks denote words or phrases I was not able to decipher or about which I had serious doubts. Perhaps the most dicult aspect of this project has been to decipher the handwriting of my great grandfather Augustine Heard, whose handwriting has to be the most illegible I have ever encountered. He admits the problem and blames it on illness, but he seemed to do little to remedy it. Many words are abbreviated and run together, is are only occasionally dotted and ts crossed, and words are run together. Punctuation is often lacking and entire phrases seem to be only undulating wiggles, with no distinguishible letters within them. Perhaps this provides the primary connection with my profession, which is strongly involved with pattern recognition. I think I can safely say that such transcriptions are well beyond the capabilities of the most powerful modern computers, and that is unlikely to change in the next few decades. Acknowledgements I am indebted to many individuals who have provided me with information, articles, and photographs after they chanced on my Website and contacted me. In particular I gratefully acknowledge the many historical tidbits and photos provided by Robert Ne, who is writing a book on Korean history in the second half of the nineteenth century, John Shufelt, who is writing a book on General LeGendre and who kindly brought to my attention the work of Harold Joyce Noble (1903-1953) and provided me a copy of his own notes on Nobles papers, and Jean Brown, who provided me with information on Clarence Greathouse and his mother Elizabeth. Such new contacts as these have added to the fun of editing these letters and exploring their contents.

Chapter 1 1889
25 March
55 LIBERTY STREET

N.Y. 25 Mch 1889

My darling Amy, I was very much surprised when at Lenox last Monday a week ago to receive a letter from Albert my brother, to say that Saturday he had met Mrs. Blaine1 at a reception & that she had said to him in the most friendly way that you had in writing her expressed the wish that Mr. B could do something for me. That Mr B. had the most kindly feelings toward me & wd be happy to do anything for me. What did I want. Of course my brother had no idea but with her permission he wd write & inquire. I came back here the next day & came to the conclusion I had better go on to W. at once & see what there was in it. Reection rather brought me to the conclusion that the thing I wanted I could not have & that the thing I could have I did not want. To make a long story short, I saw Mrs. Blain twice, & Mr. B once. Nothing could have been more friendly, or more courteous, than the attitude & language of both. Bref, I told them rst Mrs. B.. & afterward Mr. B. in an interview wh. she had arranged that I was most tted by my education & habits of thought for the China Mission, & in that position I did not fear to disgrace my backers. The salary wd enable me to live suitably, & they understand perfectly that with my family that must be a cardinal consideration for me. Mr. Blaine said that in the estimation of the Prest. & himself that was the most important post at present in the gift of the
1 Mrs. Blaine was the wife of politician, presidential candidate, and Secretary of State James G. Blaine. Here published letters [1] provide a description of Washington political life during the Gilded Age and mention many participants, including Max Heard.

CHAPTER 1. 1889

Govt. That the Prest. was looking ???? & meant to take his time in selecting a man who shd strike the country at once as suitable, & meanwhile the present minister wd not be disturbed. He then asked me abt a Consulship in the East, Hong Kong or Shangai had full salaries, but I replied that I did not care for a Consulship. I did not wish to be back in China as Consul. If I did not go as Minister I did not want to go at all. Mr. B. said he quite understood my feelings. But how abt Corea? Do you know anything abt it. No. Corea has come into being since my day. I dare say, he went on, that I could control that mission Theres nothing ??? ??? abt it, a full mission, independent I did not give him any particular answer. I asked him if I should make an application. No, write me a private note to keep on my desk as a memo. I nd by reference to the Book that the salary is 7500. & there is a Secy of Legation & an interpreter. But your mother didnt seem to jump at it! What do Max Heard in 1888 you say? How do you think Max wd enjoy Corean Society? I suppose that he meant me to understand that if I wanted it, I could probably have it. I asked Chandler Robbin, before going on what he thought of my accepting the China Mission. Wouldnt look at it, he replied. Youd only have 4 years & then be turned adrift with nothing & have lost all your personal business. I told him I should not look on that loss as very serious. I dont know what he wd say abt. Corea! But there is also the question of Real Estate ??? in Washington. Sevellon Brown was reported as likely to go back to the State Dept., & I asked him & I told him I thought if he did it might make room for me. He said he was much obliged that he felt he must go back tho it wd be at a great sacrice, & that he wd write me after

3 thinking it over. I fancy he will make me some proposition to take his plan & I may get it tomorrow. Then we will see what course to pursue. Meanwhile consider all this private, except of course Russell. I have written a good deal of this to John H. Tried to see Judge Gray in W 2 but did not succeed. Came back last night. Yours very ay A.H.

2 Horace Gray was half brother of Russell Gray, Amy Heards husband. He was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and former Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court. He was perhaps best known for his ruling granting citizenship to the children born in the U.S. to Chinese immigrants working on the railroads. He also participated in the rather sillier case of deciding whether a tomato was a vegitable or a fruit.

CHAPTER 1. 1889

Chapter 2 1890
31 January
AUGUSTINE HEARD, MT. DESERT REAL ESTATE, BAR HARBOR.

55 LIBERTY STREET

New York, Jany 31 1890

Dear Russell, Thanks for yours of yesterday with Lodges1 letter. I think it quite probable that Blaine acted more from interest in Amy than in me, & I am very glad to owe any thing to her. It would be a very good plan for her to write a line of acknowledgement to B. which she can do so gracefully & well. Of course I wrote to express my own thanks ??? ???, & had previously after some hesitation sent a few words of sympathy on the occsion of Walkers2 death. I will see Lodge as soon as I go on. I intended to go almost immediately, but I am told the most contradictory things abt custom in such matters. I have recd no notice whatever from the Dept. & all I know is what I see in the papers. John Edward says I will receive no notice till after conrmation, & advises me not to go on. Sevellon Brown, ancient Chief Clerk says I shall receive one shortly but I am not expected to go on til conrmation; outsiders say come at ??? I do as much with the Senators here as there, if not more & my going just now is complicated by an infernal nuisance. I was told last night that my room had been taken from Tuesday next till June, & I must
1 2

Henry Cabot Lodge Blaines son

CHAPTER 2. 1890

clear out. I cant positively complain, but it is not pleasant, & adds a good deal to what I have to do. So dont address me any more to 39 West 17th . I will let you know as soon as I settle on anything. Probably the Everett House Union Square. Thanks for your reminder about the map. I thought I had told you that I had renewed my oce in the ??? 55 Liberty St. I am anxious to use ???? Yrs A.H.

Judge Daly has written a letter for me to Senators Sherman3 & Edwards about the ???. The letter was drafted by Frank Street my particular friend. Sherman is Chairman of Comm on Foreign Rel.

10 February
AUGUSTINE HEARD, MT. DESERT REAL ESTATE, BAR HARBOR.

55 LIBERTY STREET

New York, Febry 10 1890

My darling Amy, Mr. Blaine desired me particularly to make his regards to you. Perhaps he wanted me to understand with what a bright particular eye he did regard you which is understood. He is somewhat broken. Mrs B. & the girls look as usual. Mr. B. didnt go to the Dept. & I lost a good deal of time waiting for him, but in spite of a good many attempts I did not see him till Saturday PM, having gone on Wednesday. Then Mon. Gettings was sick & I did not see her. & altogether I was annoyed. ???? the ???? was that my pay began on taking the oath on the 6th they give me till 7 then to get o on pay. If I stay longer, I lose my pay: or rather dont get any during such delay. Then they give me 65 days to get to my post on pay. If I stay longer, I lose my pay: or rather dont get any during such delay. Then they give me 65 days to get to my post on pay.
3

John Sherman, brother of General Sherman

7 Adie4 wants me to go over all the old dispatches with China & from China & ??? having any relation to Corea: & every paper that deals with the ??? ??? of the rst treaty. That will take some time & I must go back for it. B said also he shyould have some special instructions to give me. I have not yet seen the President. I called 4 times on Lodge but did not nd him. Saw Mrs. L. twice. which perhaps will do as well. I shall go to Boston probably the last of this week or the rst of next. Show this to Max if she comes in. Havent time to writer her today. Dined at the Pa??? last night. Abt a dozen. All the family were disposed to be pleasant & made an eort to be. Love to Russell Yrs AH

Just have a letter from Aug. dated in Kansas City.

30 May
Seoul, May 30 1890

Dear Amy, I have before me yours of 6 Apr. By the same mail we recd one to your mother dated Apr 6. Normandie5 NY. This came as a veritable surprise as you anticipated wd be the case & your mother has been worrying over it ever since. To think of Amy all alone in that big hotel in NY. How I wish she were here, ???. And so do I wish you were here. You must come. The climate is delicious at this season, & they say better in the autumn. We have had only one rainy day since we arrived, then bright sunshine, & not hot. By next year I hope we shall get the Legation into habitable condition. Now it is a ramshackle collection of dilapidated Corean buildings which do well enough now, but which give me an anticipatory chill & thrill as I think of what they must be with the thermometer at 5o below zero, as I am told it sometimes is. The walls are simply lattice work of wood with paper pasted over & the paper is old & ripped & dirty & hangs in lumps. I am writing Mr. Blain by this mail to give me a few
4 5

Probablie Adeline (Addie) Heard, wife of AHs brother John.) a hotel in New York City

CHAPTER 2. 1890

thousand dollars & I hope I may get something. Max has had a detestible time from the start & here she is most ecient. She is busy at something from morning to night making curtains & dresses & planting celery & lettuce & all that. I suppose she will tell you herself. The people seem disposed to be friendly. We have ???d out a few times & it all looks pleasant. I had my audience of the King on the 26th. He is bright and intelligent & has a kindly amiable expression of face. He seemed to be much pleased to talk with us & kept us certainly 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour. He received us sitting but rose & remained standing through the interview. We were separated from him only bu the width of a small table. He is a small man with a pale clear complexion, very bright eyes, rather too near together, quite animated & was astonished in everything that was said to him. But you would like to know all this par le mme! & I wish I had e the time & patience to write it all out. I wrote John a long letter from Chemulpo,6 & suppose I ought to continue de mme, but I have so many to write that I am e afraid you will have to pick up a letter here & there & reconstruct your table by your self.[???] Bref, we stayed 2 days with Mr. Johston at C. who treated us most hospitably, & then started one ne morning at 8 in Chinese chairs, 8 bearers each for Seoul: escorted by Y. Hiun Yang & his retinu, Vice Prest. of the F.O. who had come down to receive me & welcome us to Corea. We arrvd at the Legation on S. abt 4 1/2 & there found Mr. Dinsmore7 who conducted us around the place & made himself generally aable. We stopped an hour at the 1/2 way house for lunch: had an omelette & some sandwiches we had brought with us, but the rest of the trip was easy & interesting. We were done up when we arrvd. Most of the people we have met are pleasant: & we like the outlook this far better than we had expected. Mr. D. is still here, but leaves in a couple of days. We like him. His departure has been deferred by our not getting an audience. This delay has been caused chiey by the illness of the Queen Dowager, who is ill & was expected to die every hour, but is recovering. When the appt. was nally made, D & I went to the Foreign O to accompany the Prest. to the Palace. We left the Lg. at 1. Found the Pres. had not had his breakfast & we did not leave the F.O. till 2 1/4, thou the appt. was for 2. I suppose that was the hour named for us. We left our chairs at the gate, a very hot day, & walked up the central path, the central gates being opened to let us in then presy. going by s??? and out through two large square imposing courts & so into the rear of the grounds, fully 1/4 of a mile to a small pavillion, where we met some ocials and waited abt an hour till H.M. was ready to
6 7

Chemulpo is modern day Inchon Hugh A. Dinsmore was U.S. minister resident and consul general in Seoul (1887-90)

9 receive us. Then we went accompanied by the Prest. of the F.O. & one of the Vice P. , & the Prest. of the Home O. to the far corner. We approached by the center. ??? ??? ???? by the side & prostrated themselves & knocked heads on the oor. We bowed 3 times at intervals & nally brought up by a little table behind which was his Majesty clad in scarlet robes with a big gold colored plaque in his hand [???] embroidered I suppose. After D. got through his recall I was presented and after asking HM if I might wear my glasses (not permitted ordinarily in royal presence) & beign generously accorded permission I made my little speech which had been sent in to him the day before. After that nished, a translation of it in Chinese was read by the interpreter who stood on my left. With head bent down & baited breath I then handed the King the letter I had from the Prest. to him a translation of this in Chinese was then read in a high chanting voice by the Vice P. of the F.O. Then the K. made some short & appropriate remarks & the conversation became general that is, the King made some speech through the interpreter to D & myself & we retired. All in very low tone, the Koreans having withdrawn to the side of the room. After this was over we were conducted to the presence of the Crown Prince a boy of about 17 who prompted by some ocial standing by made some ??? ??? to ??? in r???d. Then they gave us an elaborate dinner in foreign style. We got back to legation about 6. pretty tired & hot. Lotsw of warm beer & champagne. I had to go to a dinner at the Chinese Embassy afterwards where there was a great deal of wine drunk & which nearly nished me up. Best to Russell Yrs evr A.H.

I appreciate all you say abt your uncle Albert. I have always regretted looking at my father in his con. I arrvd. ?. ???. after his death & I can never forget the ?????? [check original]

28 July
The following appears to be a draft from A.H. to some unnamed ocial. It is written in pencil with many corrections. U.S. Legation Seoul Corea July 28 1890 No.

10

CHAPTER 2. 1890

Sir, I have I have the honor to inform you that on the 26th last, Dr. J. B. Heron [??], a naturalized American citizen and member of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions died at this place, of dysentary, after an illness of 20 days leaving a wife & two children. Copy of the Certicate of the attending physician Dr. W.B. Scranton is enclosed. Two days before his death, while he was in a very critical state, two other members of the same Board of Missions called upon me & informing me that no place had been set apart in Seoul for a Foreign cemeteray, asked what was to be done in the event of Dr. Herons death. I was greatly surprised at this intelligence as a cemetary is generally one of the rst things taken care of in a new settlement, it seems that in the only previous occasion when it became necessary to use one, the board had him conveyed to Chemulpo for burial. I at once addressed a note to the Prest. of the Foreign Oce on the subject, a copy enclosed, and to avoid the loss of time necessary for its translation, I took it myself to the Foreign Oce accompanied by Dr. Allen8 & the interpreter. At rst His Excellency was disposed to question our rights ???? confronted with the Eng Treaty & the ????d nation clause he withdrew opposition & promised to concern himself actively with the matter, but said it would be dicult in view of Corean prejudice to nd a suitable place, near enough to the city to be acceptable. I pointed out the necessity of losing no time, & he assured me he appreciated the urgency of the case & that I should hear from him without delay. I should say that I believe his opposition arose in the rst place from the misapprehension of the return of our r????. A Corean of rank provides ??? his ??? a site varying in ??? from a quarter of an acre to a several acres, & His Ex. was appalled at the prospect of being called on to furnish land gratuitously for the interest for the various members of the various Foreign nationalities, and when our real purpose was made clear to him, his tune immediately changed. On the 25th Dr Heron was rather better, & my interpreter was informed from the Foreign Oce that one of the secretaries had him submit with ???? & choose a suitable plot. On the morning of the 26th Dr H died, & no place haed been assigned. I sent the secretary to the F.O. & shortly after he accompanied by a Corean ocial & by one of the Missionary Board went to look at a plot that had been designated. It proved to be utterly unsuitable, far away on the other side of the river, & it was decided to
8 Dr. Horace N. Allen was an American missionary and diplomat in Korea, he was Charg (1893e 94) and Minister (1897-1901).

11 use temporarily a small of ground owned by Dr. Heron, at no great distance, while waiting for a suitable selection. I say temporarily because burying within the walls of the city is not only strictly prohibited by law, but is regarded with strong prejudice by the natives. There is a building [???] ??? occupied by two Coreans. The body lay in the house the grounds of which adjoin this Legation & access to the plot in question could be had through this Legation, through the Customs Compound adjoining, & the English Consulate & nally for a short distance through a Corean street. Owing to the heat of the weather it was imperitive that the internment shd be speedy & the hour of the funeral was xed at 5 1/2 for yesterday, Sunday, the 27th instant: The grave had been dug & all the preparations made, when about 3 oclk I had a visit from Mr Unerwood & Mr Moatt, missionaries charged with the care of the ceremonies, to say that the two Coreans living on the plot had received an intimation (presumably from the For. Oce, though the wd not say so) that if the burial took place there, their h??? & the h??? of all Coreans connected with it would be taken o. the people [???] ??? & the Foreign ??? ??? and asked what they should do. I replied that, though the stories were very possibly ctitious ???? ????, we could not have any contention over a burial, & all I could do would be to apply for protection to the Foregn Oce. There was hardly time to make an application for that as the President was very likely at the Palace & the alternative seemed to be either to induce Mrs. Heron to consent to a temporary internment in her own compound which was an ??? on Corean custom) or to take the body to Chemulpo. I should say that up to this time Mrs. H had strenuously objected to the use of the grounds of her own house, but in view of this contingency she gave her consent; & the funeral ceremonies took place at the appointed hour. The state of my health prevented me from being present, but my family & the Secretary were; & on his return the latter told me that after all the burial did not take place. No Corean could be found to dig the grave. I sent for the interpreter but he crossed my messenger, & appeared at the Legation early in the evening it being Sunday. He said he had been sent for by the President, who wishes him to tell me that he had found at last a good plot for the cemeteray within a reasonable distance, & he would be glad to have me examine it at once. He added that the stories about trouble if the burial had been carried out in the plot near the English Consulate as originally intended were perfectly true, & he would have lost his own head! Dr. Allen & Mr. Underwood visited the secluded spot this morning & found it entirely acceptable. It is about 4 miles distqant from the Legation, on this side of the river, & comprises about 10000 ???, & is an elevated plateau sloping down on the sides, & naturally marked. It will be easy, if it be desired later to add to its

12

CHAPTER 2. 1890

simensions. As Mr. Underwood, representing the Presbyterian Board, was very much pleased with the plan; we did not think it wise to look further, & the internment of Dr Heron was sinally completed there quietly this afternoon. The question of the Foreign Cemetary at Seoul seems to be presumably settled. I have ????

9 August
U.S. Legation Soul Korea le 9 aot u

Enn! Ch`re soeur, je puis me vanter davoir reu une lettre, mais une vrai lettre e c qui a d tu couter un eort, dapr`s ce que tu nous dis de ta sant et de tes faiblesses. u e e Jspere bien que tu te porte dj` mieux car il y a bien deux mois que ta lettre est e ea crit. Nous aussi navons que maladie et tristesse autour de nous et par ces chaleurs e atroces cest dcourageant. Beaucoup de monde est parti, le petit restant est ou e malade ou garde malade aux autres et nous avons eu la mort ` gauche et ` droit, a a chez le Dr Heron (?) qui est mort lui-mme il y a deux semaines laissant une femme e et deux petites lles sans le sou . Et avant hier la plus petite lle de M et Mme Hillier9 est morte. Une gentille petite enfant de deux ans que le p`re idoltrait. Papa e a nest pas bien non plus. Il a le diarrhe depuis plusieurs semaines et bien quil crit e e et sort pas mal il est tr`s faible et na presque pas dapptit. Maman se tormente e e dune chose et dune autre; la chaleur, les moustiques qui sais-je. Mais autrement elle va assez bien. Nous faisons quelques ouvrages dans le compound juste devant la maison mais nous nallons pas trop entreprende avant de recevoir la permission du Dept. Permission que nous attendons avec impatience car il y a beaucoup ` faire ` la a a maison pour la rendre confortable ou mme habitable pour lhiver. e Pense donc le Sampson mari! Je me demande quelle esp`ce de femme a voulu de e e
9 Walter Caine Hillier was the Acting Consul General for England in Seoul 18891891 and Consul General from December 1891 to February 1894. Previously he had een the British Assistant Secretary in Peking in 1885.

13 lui. Moi non plus je nai pas de nouvelles des West10 depuis cette lettre que jai reu c apr`s mon arriv ici; mais cela prend si longemps pour les lettres ` aller et revenir e e a que je ne puis gu`re men tonner car nous sommes loin, mais loin! Tu ne peut gu`re e e e te gurer ce que cest. Jai bien peur que Mme Doer nattende longtemps avant de lire mon livre. Je ne me sens pas inspir par ces chaleurs et puis je nai encore rien vu! Je ne sais rien des e habitudes etc. de ce drle de pays car il est drle il ny ` pas ` dire. o o a a Lide de ta petite soeur aux diners diplomatiques te fais rire! que disais-tu e delle posant la pierre fondamentale de la Lgation Impriale de toutes les Russies! e e Crmonie qui va avoir lieu la semaine prochaine? Je me fais veille, va! Cest que jai ee beaucoup vu et vcu depuis trois mois mais je crois maintenant quil va y avoir une e priode assez monotone maintenant avec les distractions saines et douces de la vie e domestique, varies dun peu de tennis, dexercise ` cheval et de photographie quand e a la temp`rature sera un peu plus modre. e ee Je nessaye pas de dcrire la maison plus que je ne lai dja fais. Ce serait inutile e e et un de ces jours jspere nir des photographies qui diront plus que vingt pages de e description. En attendant tu peux timaginer tout ce que tu voudras de dirent de e ce qui est chez nous sans tre pour cela sans conforts et de charmes. Ce qui me plais e le plus dans ce genre de vie est le laisser aller et la nonchalance. on a des quantit de e domestiques pour tout et les choses se font tout mal que bien mais on ferme les yeux et puis on gronde. Mais quand on gronde cest ferme et cela a son eet. Tout est ouvert on entre par les fentres autant que par les portes; nous avons de prunes dlicieuses e e en ce moment et de lice cream quand lenvie nous prend. Il est fait de condensed milk et ` la maison mais il nen est pas moins tr`s bon. Ceci il faut garder pour toi a e car comme les missionaires nous ne voulons pas trop dorer nos dscriptions car il y a e vraiment beaucoup de dsagremments pour galiser le tout. Ce qui me manque le e e e plus par exemple sont les cabinets. Je nai jamais aim les pots de chambres et ici e je nai pas autre chose! Mais on a shabitue tout. Le lait aussi impossible den a avoir du bon. Mes lgumes poussent assez bien et nous avons des tomates superbes e en ce moment pauvre Papa qui ne peut pas manger ni lgumes ni fruit. e En somme tu fera mieux de dmnager ici ou tu pourras porter tes chemisses de e e nuit tout le temps. Mme moi ne mhabile que vers cinq heures du soir et cela aussi e lg`rement que possible une toute petite chemise, un pantalon, jupon, cache corset e e & une robe en grass cloth toute ` fait unie des bas et des chausseures. A peu pr`s a e une fois par semaine pour une grande occasion je mets un corset. Par exemple ce
10 Victoria West and her sisters, especially Amalia. See Amy Heard: Letters from the Guilded Age. Victoria, later Lady Sackville, was the illigitimate daughter of Lionel Sacville West, Great Britain Minister to the United States from 1881 through 1885. She served as his Washington DC diplomatic hostess, married her cousin who became the next Lord Sackville, and had one child, the writer Vita Sackville West.

14

CHAPTER 2. 1890

soir nous dinons chez les Darney (???) et comme il y aura probablement du monde apr`s je ferai frais de toilette. Si tu pouvais voir comme je suis jolie! Car avec ces e chaleurs il est impossible de me friser les cheveux je les laisse au naturel ce qui est dun eet! dune simplicit sv`re toute ` fait charmante et avec cela je les porte en e e e a natte pendante la plus part du temps. La temprature a chang aujourdhhui et il fait presque froid! e e 82 1/2 degrs dans ma chambre ` midi. Voila trois semaines au moins que je nai e a eu moins que cela a dix heures du soir, gnralement 86 7 8 ou mme 90. Chez e e e les franais ou cest un peu plus bas et renferm ils lont eu jusqu` 104 ` Pkin 110 c e a a e sept heures au soir dans un coin de vranda o` le soleil narrive jamais! Cest ce e u que M. Von Brandt ecrit. On se prpare pour lautre monde! Tout ces ch`res gens e e membrouille avec toi sans mavoir vu bien entendu dapres quelques uns jaurai presque 32 ans. Tel est la vie. Enn assez pour aujourdhui. Amitis a tout le monde, baisers e pour toi et les mioches. Ils doivent tre bien gentils ensembles. e a ` toi Hl`ne ee Le 12 aot u Je ne fais quajouter quelques mots avant denvoyer ma lettre bienquil ny ait pas grand chose dimportance. Papa est tr`s faible et son tat reste a peu pr`s le mme e e e e ce qui est dcourageant. e Le temps est un peu plus frais depuis deux jours il faut esprer que ce changement e lui fera du bien. Notre secrtaire est assez aimable en somme et je laime bien. Dr Allen qui a e traduit ces petits cartes Korens. e Mille baisers H.M.H.

U.S. Legation Seoul, Korea 9 August 1890

Finally! Dear sister, I can brag of having received a letter, but a real letter which must have cost you an eort, given what you tell us of your helath and frailty. I truely hope that you are already doing better as it is already two months since your letter was written. We, too, have only sickness and sadness around us from the atrocious heat. It is discouraging. Many have left; the few are either sick or taking care of others and we have had death to the left and right, at Dr. Herons who died himself

15 two weeks ago leaving a wife and two small daughters without a cent. And yesterday the youngest daugter of Mr. and Mrs. Hillier died, a gentle infant of two years whom the father idolized. Papa is also not good. He has had diarrhea for several weeks and even though he writes and goes out well enough he is very feeble and he has practically no appetite. Mama is tormented by one thing or another; the heat, the mosquitos, and who know what. But otherwise she is doing well enough. We are building several things in the compound just in front of the house, but we have not undertaken much before receiving permission from the Department of Permission which we await with impatience because there is much to do to the house to render it comfortable or even habitable for the winter. Think, then, of Sampson married! I wonder what species of woman wanted him! Me, too, I have no news of the Wests since this letter that I received after my arrival here; but it takes so long for letters to go and return that it scarcely astonishes me because we are far, but far! You could hardly imagine just how far it is. I am afraid that Mme Doer is waiting a long time before reading my book. I do not feel inspired by this heat and then I have not yet seen anything! I know nothing of the habits etc. of this peculiar country it goes without saying that it is peculiar. The idea of your little sister at diplomatic dinners makes you laugh! What would you say of her putting the foundation stone of the Imperial Legation of all the Russias! a ceremony which will take place next week? I am making myself grow up! All because I have seen and lived so much during the past three months but I believe now that we will now have a period calm enough with sane and sweet distractions of domestic life, enhanced by a little tennis, horseback riding, and photography when the temperature becmes a little more moderate. I am not going to try to describe the house more than I already have. It would be useless and one of these days I hope to nish some photographs which will say more than twenty pages of description. While waiting you can imagine all that you wish of how dierent our house is without for all that being without comfort and charm. What I like the most in this style of life is the laissez faire and nonchalance. There are many servants to do everything and things go as badly as well but you close your eyes and then scold. But when one scolds it is rmly and that has an eect. Everything is open, one enters by the windows as often as by doors; we have delicious prune at this moment and ice cream when we wish. It is made out of condensed milk here at the house, but it is no less very good. You should keep this to yourself since like the missionaries we do not want to gild too much our descriptions because there are truly many disagreable things to balance things. For example, the thing I miss the most are the toilets. I have never liked chamber pots and here there is nothing else. But one gets used to everything. Milk also, it is impossible to nd any good. My vegetables grow well enough and we currently have superb tomatos poor Papa can eat neither vegetables nor fruit.

16

CHAPTER 2. 1890

In short you will do well to move here where you will be able to wear nightgowns all the time. Even I dont dress until around ve oclock and then as lightly as possible, a tiny shirt, pants, skirt, cache corset & a dress of grass cloth together with stockings and shoes. About once a week for a grand occasion I wear a corset. For example this evening we dine at the Darneys and since there will probably be many people there afterwards I will freshen up. If you could see how pretty I am! Since in this heat it is impossible to curl my hair, I leave it natural, which has quite an eect! A severe simplicity completely charming and with that I wear my hair in a braid most of the time. The temperature changed today and it is almost cold! 82 1/2 degrees in my bedroom at noon. It is at least three weeks with temperatures no less than that at 10PM, generally 86 - 7 -8 or even 90. At the French residence where the elevation is lower and the area more closed it reached 104 and in Peking at seven in the evening in a corner of the veranda where the sun never arrives! That is what Mr. Von Brandt writes. One prepares for another world! All these dear people confuse me with you granted without having seen me according to some of them I will be nearly 32. Such is life. At last enough for today. Love to everyone, kisses for you and the little ones. They must be very nice together. A toi Helen

719 November
Seoul, Nov. 7 1890

Dear Amy, I have just come back from the Palace where I have been to oer my congratulations ont the 40th birthday of the Queen & while waiting form my interpreter who is never on hand when wanted, I will devote a half hour to my darling daughter. We were very much surprised on the 4th to receive a summons to the Palace the next day at 1 PM. The King is just come out of strict mourning for his ????? mother, the Queen Dowager, & during this time, 5 months, has recd no foreigners. As we knew the Queens birthday was today, we had not expected that he would show himself before, but it turned out otherwise & a little after on the rst ight of diplomats were assembled in the waiting room attached to the Pavillion where the

17 King receives foreigners. On hand later the Consuls Hillier (Eng) & Krein (German), arr. with Genl LeGendre & Vice Prest. of the Home Oce.11 About 1/2 an hour afterwards the King signied that he was ready for us & I, Kondo, Japanese, Waeber, Russian, both charg daairs & ???? French Commee paire ??? by a score of high Corean ocials proceeded to the presence. It is etiquette to remove the hat as one enters the court yard of the pavillion bow at the foot of the steps & at the door & again when nally in the presence. I told you what he was like at the time of my rst audience. This time recd us [??] in the same way except that in the place of scarlet clothes he wore drab the color of mourning as did all the attendants. The Coreans knelt at the threshold & knocked their foreheads on the oor. As doyen of the corps I have to do all the talking & speechifying: & try not to disgrace myself in the eyes of my collegues, who are old hands at it. The King is a small man, with a very amiable courtly expression of countenance, & I have no doubt is a very good fellow! He looks bright & intelligent. He is always very friendly. He said his mourning had prevented him from seeing us for a long time but it gave him great pleasure to welcome us again & ct. I replied expressing our thanks our pleasure at seeing him again in good health & ??? & ???. My interpreter stands at my left & translates. Each of us had his interpreter with him. After a few questions ??? we took leave & were ushered into the presence of the Crown Prince, who like his father stood behind a small table lanked by two eunuchs, one on each side, who looked like old women. Same ceremonies here, but shorter. Today it was pretty much the same thing, except that as my interpreter is scared to death in the royal presence & probably muddles what I say, I wrote out my speech of congratulations & had it put into Chinese the ocial language. A copy lay on the table before the King while I was speaking & after I had got through the interpreter read from the paper in his hand the translation. This is the only way I could be sure he would know what I said. Both the President of the Home Oce and the Prest of the Foreign Oce came to me afterwords & thanked me for doing this & complimented me on my speech, which was nothing but banalit. e Today we were summoned for 10 this morning. The Consuls at 11 & it was barelly 11 when we were called to the King. So it was for s??? ???.
11 Brigadier General Charles William LeGendre was from 1890 till his death in Seoul in 1899 an advisor to the Korean Royal Household. His duties primarily involved treaty negotiation (with Japan) and facilitating communication between Kojong and the foreign diplomatic community, including men like Allen and Heard. He served as a military advisor to the Korean Foreign Oce. He negotiated the Korean-Japanese Convention and was an American Civil War hero. He had a reputation for being anti-Japanese and for this reason was dismissed as tutor for the Kings son.

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CHAPTER 2. 1890

A bad thing about aoll these functions is the chapaign you must drink with the various ocials: & when the wait is long the quantity of tobacco you get through. I was in evening dress, white cravat & the others in uniform. There was a great number of Corean ocials & diginataries about the Palace, come I suppose on the same errand as ourselves & the great Audience Hall was besieged. The Kings chair was before us as we came out, all in white & supported on an elaborate frame work, to allow of the presense of 24 bearers, which is I believe the regulation number. I am getting used to the speechifying but I dont like it. I have not the habit, I suppose. Russell wd get up & rattle o a harangue worth listening to, without giving himself the troubloe of thinking abt it beforehand but I am not up to that. I had to make quite a speech the other day at Kondos who gave a big dinner in honor of the birthday of the Emperor of Japan & I got through it pretty well. I proposed his health. As senior of the corps, all such work falls on me. We are just in a period of great excitement. These days are big with fate the fate of Corea. On the death of the Queen Dowager the King sent an envoy to the Emperor of China to apprise him of the fact & now the return Embassy comes to bear the Emperors condolences. Corea is tributary to China & though at the time of making the treaties she declared herself indepe3ndent in all matters of national administration and foreign aairs, with Chinas knowledge & approval, & the Prest of the U.S. in his reply takes act of this & states that the U.S. wd only make a treaty with a sovereign power. China has regretted it betterly ever since & loses no oppy to humiliate Corea & reduce her to vassalage. This is one of those occasions in which China exults. The Chinese Ambassador arrvd yesterday at Chemulpo with 2 ships of war & started from there for the capital at 4 this morning. While I write he is probably arrived at a pavillion ? ??? ???? a little outside the city walls. To carry out the full etiquette the King must go himself to this Pavillion & receive this Ambassador with the same honors as he wd pay to the Emperor himself down to the Kow tow & then conduct him into the city. And we are all agog to know what he will do. Will he go? Or wont he? Of course we shall know long before this letter leaves. Nov 10

There are 2 Chinese envoys, who bring a letter from the Emperor, an invocation or prayer on sacricial paper which is burned, & a patent of increased nobility for the deceased lady. A short distance outside the West gate at a corner made in the road leading to the ???? crossed at right angles by the broad road coming from the Peking path & running down to the South Gate are the Gov of the Province, & before him ??? a canopy was raised. The King went out to this canopy in the morning of the 8th &

19 the Chinese procession came up from the ??? bearing each in it separate litter and chair the 3 oerings mentioned above. He stood at the angle & as they were borne by turning to the right he bowed his head slightly. After they had passed the curtains were drawn around him, the soldiers led in & he reentered the city by the West Gate, not seeing or receiving the Chinese envoys who were behind. They made a circuit to enter by the great South Gate while the King went directly to the Palace to receive them. The three objects from Peking were placed on a table, laid East & West, and the King facing North, with an envoy on each side, prostrated himself before them which is a very dierent thing from making the Kow tow to the envoys. He goes to make them a visit of inquiry [??] & that nishes the ceremonies when they withdraw to the place they came from. I was occupied all day with a question of etiquette concerning these men. The Chinise Minister calling them ambassadors sent the For. Rep. a circular saying they were too busy to receive calls which is a gross kind [???] of impertinence. We deny them the right to be called ambassadors. If they are not, they ought to call on us. If they are, they should have sent their cards: as if they had said to pay or receive visits, it would have been all right. We nally sent in last night a politely worded letter to say we thanked him, but had no intention of calling. So we go! Mamma sends love and kisses, Yours ever ay, A.H.

[marginal note] Nov. 19 The delay of this str ??? me to send you a detailed statement in French of the ceremonies which is in good ??? ????: but certain parts the breakfast with the ???? especialoly is better in an En g version which I also send. I have had a great many ????d. from wh. I made my ocial statement. Show them to the family.

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CHAPTER 2. 1890

Chapter 3 1891
19 February
Seoul, 19 Febry 1891

Dear Amy, The last mail brought me a very gushing letter of thanks from Mrs. Barnes, which I would send you but that I suppose she will have writtn you one like it as I told her I sent her the letters of introduction at your request. It was dated from the Government House L??? which may have been an additional reason for hurrying up her acknowledgement! Our life runs on in the usual way & I do not know that I have anything very particular to tell you by this steamer. I dare say Max will write you of her performance at the last Soci??? an entertainment got up under the control of the missionaries every month, & to me rather a nuisance than otherwise. On the last occasion Max was on the committee & they got up some tableaux vivants in which she gured conspicuously. Max provoked a good deal of criticism from one or two of the young ladies who would not be present at such an indecent exhibition but notwithstanding things went o with great success & the approbation of all who witnessed them. On this occasion Max was asked to take part & consented but would not give us any idea of what we were to see. It turned out to be a dramatic rexamination of Longfellows story of Miles Standish & Max was the maiden Priscilla, John Alden being taken by a young clergyman & the doughty captain by another parson. If I had known what it was to be, I should certainly have prohibited it. For though I can stand alomost anything, I dont like mock marriage & when I saw Max kneeling by the side of this young parson & another standing over them with his blessing, I could hardly keep from swearing loud. 21

22

CHAPTER 3. 1891

The whole clerical community joined in it. It was a? t??? but favorite theatricals badly done, winding up with a mock marriage. The entire troup, with two or three exceptions, being of people who were shocked at the sound of billiards or a game of whist. I bide my time & some day I shall tell them what I think of this making a jest of one of the holiest sacraments of the church These intensely religious people are very funny to my mind. They stra?? after their neighbors ???? but ??? s???? the most prodigious ???? of their own! It all depends on whose bull it is. We have been getting up a sort of country club lawn tennis and reading room & the community is so small it has been necessary to mix the religios and the scandalous elements, as oil and water. I dont know whether it will be possible to make it go, but ground has been bot. for almost $1500 to which all hands have subscribed & we now must get some $3000 or more for a building. This wd not have been very dicult but for some narrowmindedness manifested in committee which has alienated some of the best men, and now I fear. However these last theatricals give me a little hope. You will wonder why I should have written you all this yarn and it will give you the measure of the magnitude of our social interest: but it will perhaps throw light on Maxs letter. We are expecting a mail next Monday the 23, & then I shall have something from you to answer perhaps. Meanwhile I have scratched this o while waiting for your mother to undress & give me a chance to go to bed.

23 February
Feby 23

Dear Amy I received last night your letter of 6-15 Jany & hurry o a line in acknowledgement. Nous sommes bien prouvs, allez. I had not expected to hear of this kind [??] e e complication of disease for you & we are quite overwhelemed by it. It is so far satisfactory however that your last ad???? ?? of decided improvement & by the time this reaches you we trust that it may only be recollected as a bad dream. I suppose there can be no doubt that your long weakness & illness have been due to your bearing of children, & if it be so think how wonderfully the doctrine of compensation is borne out here. The pains you have suered are as nothing with the pleasure they have given you. You would be willing to indulge ten times as much

23 rather than have lost, or lose them. Addie tells me of Johns being ordered o and I wish I knew a little more about it. I havent heard from him direct for nearly 6 months no 5 but that is long enough. I am doyen of the corps as the minister highest in rank, not ????. I wrote out the rst copy of those reports because I got together the material & handed it over to Allen. Thank Russell for his note abt. etiquette of withdrawal. It is a beautiful bright warm day & Max has gone to escort with a number of others Mrs. Hillier the wife of the Eng. Consul General, who goes home by this mail, half way to Chemulpo. Max never loses the oppy. to go for a ride. She is in high health. Your mother & I are well. It makes us sad to read of your weakness and it makes us wish, oh how we wish! you were here to do nothing & think of nothing but be pitied for three months. Kiss the dear children for us. ???? ? ??? ???? Yours ever A.H.

27 March
Seoul, Mch 27, 1891

Dear Amy I have before me yours of Feby 6 full of delightful details of your two boys. I recognize something of myself in my namesake,1 in his imaginative ways. I could always amuse myself with my fancies, & he seems to have the same facility. Altogether your letter was one of the most satisfactory [of] any I have received since our exile. You are all better in health and brighter in spirit, then you have been for a long while. I can understand your feeling about the Barnes! I had something of it my self. I have just written her in Hong Kong, where I suppose they will soon be arriving, to put them o from coming here. In this way. von Brandt whom you may recollect as minister for Germany in Japan is now doyen at Peking & he invited us to go over for a visit. This I am disposed to do. This will give us a break in this monotonous
1

Amys second son was Augustine Heard Gray (1888-1985).

24

CHAPTER 3. 1891

life for your mother & Max, & the latter is crazy to see Peking. I shall not be sorry myself to do so, but if it were not for them I would not incur the expense. So I propose to go over early in May to be gone 6 weeks or two months. En outre in short 10 days I shall begin the task of repairs which I am authorized to make, & which will then be out of my hands for the better part of the summer. I have taken a house just vacated by a missionary family gone home, & I shall soon move in. Max has gone over ??? with the ????. to see if the house has been cleaned. I have ??? written Mrs B that I shall be charmed to receive her if she decides to visit Corea, but I cannot entertain her so pleasantly as I might be able to do in my own house. Max will tell you of her trials in getting her mothers dresses altered to suit the changing conditions of her gure; & I leave to her the task of convincing you that she has grown stouter. She is however, very well, & ` lexception of occasional rheumatic a pains is in as perfect health as mortals often enjoy. There are one Chinese tailor ` a d???? & 2 Corean women seamstresses hard at work on their summer clothes. Spring is fairly upon us now, & I suppose we shall have no more cold weather. The sun is shining, & the air is balmy & warm. I must cut you short this morning. I have written a good deal. Among these letters one for Addie which please send & forward, as I do not know where to address it. The messenger is waiting for me to nish. We send our letters by special courier to Chemulpo, ?? ????? 27 miles o, as sometimes they say dispatches are opened in the Japanese P.O. here. Give our love to Russell & many kisses to the youthful ???? ???? ???? [ink smudges] Ever yours ay A.H.

Please tell my mother that I ???? to put in the note & stamps for F??d, but it is too late now. They will go by next mail.

6 April
U.S. Legation Sul Korea Le 6 avril o No 8 Ch`re Amy, un petit mot seulement pour te dire que nous ne toublions pas bien e que nous soyons plus quoccups. Nous sommes en plein dmnagement, avec des e e e ouvriers partout. Nous faisons en mme temps des prparatifs pour un petit voyage ` e e a

25 Peking. chez M. von Brandt, partant dici ` la mi mai. Il est inutile dajouter que jen a suis enchante Maman aussi tandis que Papa est plus calme dans ses sentiments. e Mais je crois que le changement lui fera du bien. Il a encore t un peu hors de ee son assiette depuis quelques temps. Nous avons t vol lautre jour. Les deux petit ee e boites en argent de Maman, ainsi que sa petite pendule, sa cuill`re en argent et la e bourse de Papa. Nous ne savons pas qui les a emporte mais nous souponons un de e c nos coolies. Cest ennuyant pour dire le moins. Il ny a rien de nouveau autrement. Papa va ` Chemulpo2 mercredi pour assister ` une scance du conseil municipal. Mes a a e chevaux sont malades, le temps est beau mais froid pour cette saison, la communaut e samoindrie de plus en plus, mais les jours se passent galement et sans trop trainer. e 3 Pas de lettre de toi ni dAddie par le dernier courier mais nous esprons que vous e allez tous bien. Augustine est radieux et jai eu une assez gentille lettre de notre nouvelle belle-soeur aussi que Papa. Quils sont heureux! Comment trouves tu les livres de Kipling? Je mimagine quil ne te plaisent pas. Moi au contraire les trouve intressants et souvent amusants. e Maman tembrasse ainsi que les mioches. Je me joins ` la partie avec amitis pour a e Russell. A toi Hl`ne ee As tu des nouvelles des West? Je viens de trouver la derni`re lettre(N o3)22Janvier dans mon portefeuille. O` est e u Mlle Woodville? Comment va-t-elle? Que veut tu dire quelle est archi-nie. Donnes lui bien des baisers de ma part en lui crivant. Il est possible que je lui e crire un de ces jours for the sake of auld lang syne Mes petits neveux Gray e 4 doivent tre gentils en eet. Tout le monde mcrit quAugustine est si joli. O` e e u est-ce que Lolita demeure? Que dit-elle de sa vie etc? Mes amitis pour elle quand e tu lui criras. e

U.S. Legation Seoul Korea 6 April No. 8 Dear Amy, a quick word just to tell you that we have not forgotten you even though we are more than occupied. We are in the middle of moving, with workers everywhere. At the same time we are making preparations for a small voyage to Peking, to Mr. von Brandts house, leaving here in mid May. It would be useless to add that I am enchanted. Mamman as well whereas Papa is calmer in his sentiments.
2 3

A port West of Seoul and close to China, also called Inchon. Addie (Adeline) Heard, wife of AHs brother John 4 Augustine Heard Gray and Horace Gray, sons of Russell Gray and Amy Heard Gray

26

CHAPTER 3. 1891

But I believe the change will do him good. He has still been somewhat out of sorts for some time. We were robbed the other day. Two of Mamans small silver boxes, as well as her small clock, her silver spoon, and Papas coin purse. We dont know who took them but we suspect one of our coolies. At the very least it is really annoying. Other than that there is nothing new to say. Papa is going to Chemulpo Wednesday to assist with a meeting of the municipal council. My horses are sick, the weather is nice but cold for the season, the community is shrinking more and more, but the days pass similarly and dont drag. No letter from you or from Addie by the last mail but we hope that you are well. Augustine is radiant and I had a kind letter from your new sister-in-law as well as Papa. How happy they are! How are you nding Kiplings books? I suppose that they do not please you. On the contrary, I nd them interesting and often amusing. Maman hugs you as well as the little ones. I include myself with good wishes for Russell. A toi Helen Have you had news of the Wests? I just found your last letter(N o3)22January in my wallet. Where is Miss Woodville? How is she doing? What do you mean by saying she is archi-nie? Give her many kisses from me when you write her. It is possible that I will write her one of these days for the sake of auld lang syne My little Gray nephews should really be quite nice. Everyone writes me that Augustine is so cute. Where is Lolita living? What does she say about her life etc? My best wishes for her when you write her.

23 May
German Legation Peking May 23rd No 9 Dear Amy, there is so much to write about that I hardly know how or where to begin, in Enlish it must be at any rate as I shall ask you to share this letter with Addie, to whom I have already written the beginning of our trip, asking her to let you see it. So I take it for granted that you have ??? now follow us to the Ming tombs & Great Wall. We left very early Friday morning (a week ago yesterday). Papa & Mamma in mule litters, Mr. Cheshire & myself on horseback, followed by my litter, his cart, & maybe 2 boys, mule drivers, etc. quite a little cavalcade. It was cool but disagreeably windy & we were much annoyed by the dust, which grew worse &

27 worse as the wind rose, until nally it became frightful beyond description & we found ourselves in the midst of a dust storm. A meaningless term until you have experienced such a thing for it dees all description. Having had our experience, you never want another. I bore it for two or three hours, then nearly blind & almost unable to sit my pony I climbed into my litter & covering myself up with three blankets & a shawl, for it had grown bitterly cold, I coiled myself up & resigned myself to being slowly buried up alive for the dust poured in through every crack & crevice & the little mosquito curtained windows. However the day passed uneventfully, otherwise & we reached the temple safely about quarter to six, thankful to nd everything comfortable & in readiness for us. Mr. Von Brandt had sent his servant the day before with beds, & every conceivable thing we could need from a bath tub to a champagne glass. We tried to get clean . . . ! then we fully realized in what condition we were in. To give you a slight idea how penetrating the dust is I found my watch which has a double case, as you know & which I wore in my belt & under my jacket, was stopped & has never ??? since. As for my hair I was over an hour trying to comb it out & only yesterday was I able to wash it & make it tolerable, tho for the rest of our journey I kept it tied up in a hand. But I am glad to say that the following days were bright, cool & pleasant, with as little dust as it is possible to have in this part of the country. We left the temple at 8 in the morning for the tombs which we reached a little after 10. Guide book descriptions I cannot give. It seemed to me that the conception was perhaps ner than the execution tho anything so old, majestic & in some parts exquisite workmanship cannot help impressing one. We ??? under the trees after going over the principal tomb the Emp. Gury-los then started for Nankow which we reached at about four o clock. We found everything as comfortable in a nice Chinese inn as we had the day before at the temple & after an early dinner slept the sleep of the tired till 5 the next morning, when we started for the Great Wall. A new & really beautiful road runs all the way through the Nan-kow pass to Pataling where we stopped, & from there as far as you can see on its way to Mongolia. The pass is narrow & rugged, & not very green but exceedingly picturesque & interesting for there is a never ending line of beasts of burden both human & inhuman tho perhaps the latter name is more appropriate to the latter animal. Camels are shabby, shedding their winter fur, & trudging slowly oh so slowly with their bags of coal or brick tea. Donkeys, mules, carts all coming & going, crossing & recrossing. Here & there a sillage to change the scene & now & then a beautiful old carved stone gateway. We spent two hours resting & eating our ??? as well as enjoying the splendid views from the top of the Wall which as you know is all 35 ft high & 12 or 16 broad with here & there a bastion or tower 20 ft square. It runs up & down & in out, over hill & dale & you wonder how the stupendous work was ever accomplished. especially when you think that what you see is but a very small part of its length over three thousand miles! The Chinese believe that the mortar taken

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CHAPTER 3. 1891

internally in small doses cures small ailments like stomach ache: so I brought a scrap home, perfectly white ??? as hard as stone. We returned to Nan-kow that evening & left the next morning at ve for Peking and were very glad to be again welcomed by our host at four oclock. For in spite of everything it is tiring & the dust spoils much of the enjoyment of going about. As I said before it dees description & to tell you that you always come home after a walk of 0 m. with a lthy face, & see everything through a haze - & sometimes not at all, gives you no idea of it. Yet most people like Peking & get used to the peculiarities. Thursday Mr. von B. gave us a large dinner, & tonight we dine with Mr. Cheshire & go to a moonlight garden party at Sir Robert Harts5 Monday is the celebration of the Queens6 birthday at the Brit. Leg. to which of course we shall go & neeedless to say I am looking forward to the dance. Visits, occasional garden at homes ll the time, but we rarely go outside this compound which is so pleasant. But there ar things I had to & wanted to see so Mr Cheshire kindly took me yesterday between 5.30 & 9.30 A.M. It was cooler & less dusty so it was pleasant. We rst rode to the Lama monument outside the city & beautiful it is; then to the Confucian temple but we were not allowed to enter. At the examination pounds the gates were shut in our faces but at the observatory we were more fortunate. The most superb bronzes I ever saw & the workmanship wonderful such as cannot be made nowadays. They (the instruments) are exposed to wind & weather at a height of 40 odd feet, & have been for 500 yrs & are in perfect condition. One must come to China to get even a faint idea of the patience, ingenuity & cleverness of the race. Everywhere, in the commonest poorest little village you will come across somethig beautiful or wonderful & nothing under one or two hundred years old. Of our host I can say nothing more than in my last except that his kindness increases & he spoils me utterly. Were he ten years younger I should have lost my heart to him long ago & even now I am not sure that a good part of it has ??? gone. He overwhelms me with presents to the point that I am embarrassed & dont know what to do. I have not been able to impress the fact suciently on Mamma & Papa until today till I put everything together & we all stood aghast. I think Papa will in future help me in remonstrating. Not that I dont like it!! but that it is too much. We shall have been here two weeks tomorrow (excluding four days for one trip) & beginning with the evening of our arrival he has not missed one day. I think! A carved ivory scent box, 2 fans, silver gilt & enamel nail protectors, a blue silk robe with gold butteries, another darker one, several pieces of embroidery about six lbs of delicious ??? root because he noticed it on my hand one day. & today a piece of pale pale yellow crape embroidered with bunches of blue
5 Sir Robert Hart was the Customs chief of China. As such he played a key role in the story of the Empress Tzu Hsi, the last empress of China, the subject of the Dragon Lady, by Sterling Seagrave. [9] 6 Victoria

29 owers loveley it is & 19 yds in length! besides a piece of woven material. And besides all this I believe he is collecting an entire Chinese dress for me. He has eyes all round his head & sees everything I do & almost what I think sometimes. He takes me to task when he doesnt like a thing & calls himself my uncle from America! Do you wonder that I am spoiled? We were going on Wednesday but he was so ??? & talked of nothing else for two days that Papa nally gave in & we are to remain a fortnight longer whereupon he slaps Papa on the knee Ah! I am so glad & turning to me all smiles & I shall continue to spoil my niece. This was two days ago & I must say he remains true to his word. I am investing in a few things & remembering friends at home, in other words ??? my chance for I am not likely to have such another. I have covered six pages already & with really but a few facts details I dare not attempt for it would lead me on I dont know where. The luxury of everything around us, & new surroundings all together make an impression a little of which I should like to give you. But pen & paper are hardly sucient, especially under the hand of so unsteady a writer as I. Imagine large high rooms full of lovely things, any amount of good things to eat & drink, three there to wait on four people, always a boy in the hall to open & shut any door you wish, pretty green trees & nest blinds or screens to keep the sun out & owers everywhere (the only place in Peking where there are so many as it is very hard to make these grow) & you may vaguely imagine our surroundings. Russells letter of March 20th reached me here a few days ago, no one knows how for it is the only American letter we have had & I am glad to see by it that I have not overdrawn my account as I had feared. Please thank him for me. What do you do this summer? Does Mrs Gray 7 take you as before? We have had no news for so long that tho we think of you all we no longer know how to think of you. And now I must put o the rest to my next letter & wish you all the same luck I am having. Kisses to the babies all the babies as well as to the parents. Lovingly H.M.H.

7 Mrs Horace Gray was the former Sarah Russell Gardner and the mother of Russell Gray. Horace Gray (1800-1873) was a merchant who gained fame as a founder of the Boston Public Garden, for which he purchased $1,500 worth of tulips. Legend has it that he went bankrupt in the Boston waterworks scandal. His children with Sarah included Russell Gray and John Chipman Gray, the lawyer and Harvard professor and cofounder of Ropes and Gray, a still thriving law rm. His children by his rst wife, Harriet Upham (1801-1834) included Justice Horace Gray, Elizabeth Chipman Gray (born in Florence Italy in 1830), and Harriet (born in Rome, Italy, in 1832).

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CHAPTER 3. 1891

31 July
11 Sul o Le 31 juillet/91

Une toute petite lettre doit sure pour te remercier de la tienne du 26 mai en mme temps que pour plusieurs journeaux qui son toujours bienvenus. Ils aident ` e a passer une soire agreablement car en ce moment nous navons guere dautre distrace tions. Papa est toujours sourant pas s`riusement mais assez pour avoir besoin de e grands soins et pour nous garder sur le qui vive. Maman est remise mais se plaint de temps en temps sans suite s`riuses. e Il ny a presque plus personne ici, tout les monde pouvant sesquiver tant all a e e chefoo ou aillieurs. Nous sommes encores dans les pluies et le temps est trying bien que moins chaud que lanne derni`re. Qui regrette plus que nous que nous ne e e puission pas voir les petites mioches? dautant plus que nous savons quils ne sont jamais plus si gentils. Mais nous ne devons pas nous plaindre. La lettre de Lolita ma amus en eet. Elle a lair dtre heureuse. Quel bonheur ce doit tre pour Mme e e e Farnum davoir regagn sa vue. Pour Edith aussi cela doit tre un grand soulagement. e e En verit les mariages continuent. Jai compt 16 de mes connaissances qui se e e ` sont maries depuis mon dpart. A ce train l` je les retrouverai toutes grand-m`res. e e a e Un petit mot de Mme Housse ma appris son depart dont elle ne parlait pas avec enthousiasme ni plaisir. DAddie je nai aucune nouvelles depuis deux mois, mais jesp`re toujours que le prochain courrier mapport un petit mot. Et Peking? e tu demandes. Tu doit en savoir deja trop car il me semble que jai tout cris et e longuement. La Lgation avance ` petit pas mais nous croyons pouvoir y entrer vers le come a mencement de sept. Cette maison ci est tr`s humide et le docteur nous conseille e den sortir le plut tt possible, ordonnance que nous ne seron trop contents de suivre. o Il ny a absolument aucun sujet ` traiter. Nous ne voyons presque personne et les a journes se passent tr`s tranquillement. En Chine au contraire on est encore inquiet e e et non sans raison. Enn mille baisers pour toi et les mioches amitis au tiens. e Hl`ne ee

11 Seoul 31 July/91 A short note should suce to thank you for yours of 26 May and at the same time

31 for the several newspapers which are always welcome. They help pass an evening tree agreeably since at the moment we have scarcely any other distractions. Papa is still suering enough to require signicant care and eorts to keep his spirits up even if it is not serious. Mama is recovered but complains from time to time without serious consequence. There is hardly anyone here, everyone who is able to escape discretely has left for Chefoo or elsewhere. We are already in the rains and the weather is trying even if it is less hot than last year. Who regrets more than us that we cannot see the little ones? especially knowing that they will never be more sweet. But we should not complain. Lolitas letter was very amusing. She has the air of being happy. What happiness it must be for Miss Farnum to have regained her sight. For Edith also that must be a great relief. Its true that the marriages continue. I counted 16 of my acquantances who have married since my departure. At this rate I will meet them again as grandmothers. A comment from Mrs Housse informed me of her departure, of which she talks with neither enthusiasm nor pleasure. I have had no news from Addie for two months, but I hope still that the next mail will bring me a few words. And Peking? you ask. You should already know too much about it as it seems to me I have written at length about everything. The Legation advances slowly but we believe we will be able to move in at the beginning of Sept. This house is very humid and the doctor advises us to leave it as soon as possible, a prescription which we will be only too content to follow. There is absolutely nothing to talk about. We see almost no one and the days pass very tranquily. In China, to the contrary, one is already worried and not without reason. Finally a thousand kisses for you and the little ones love to yours. Helen

30 August
Seoul, Aug 30 1891 Dear Amy, I have yours of July 9 about young Johns admission to Harvard, & I have also received a letter from my brother explaining how the mistake occurred. It seems he was admitted with 2 conditions which is very good & I am very glad to hear it. I have just come back from Chefoo, after a weeks absence which has done me a great deal of good, but it will take me a little time to get back my strength. I was

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afraid I had given myself a setback by an eort to get up to Seoul in a hurry after my arrival. I got in on the 28 th. The 29th was the Kings birthday the 40th which in Corian ideas is the most important of all, & it was expected that he wd. receive the congratulations of the For. ministers. I got a note from Allen to say the King had sent to inquire if I wd. be there & he had assured him I would be, but he did not know the hour of the audience. I left Chemulpo as soon as I could, but not in time to get into the city gates before they close at sundown, so I had to spend the night at a ???? ??? inn at ??? the halfway station where owing to ??? & coolies ???? & I got very little sleep. The day was very hot. I got up before 4. I got away from there at 20 min before 5. Arriving at Seoul a little after 8 to nd 8 named as the hour of the audience. However punctuality is not a virtue of the Koreans. So I got something to eat as soon as I could, dressed, & started for the Palace. As I approached I met the other ministers coming away, the audience having already taken place. Last New Years day they kept us waiting a long time & I made a great row about it. So this time they were punctual! I pushed on and it was all for the best. HM received me at once, keeping others the English Consul & c waiting & I had a long interview with him alone, which was very satisfactory. The sun was fearful. I excused myself from the big dinner at the Foreign Oce, & kept quiet the rest of the day. I was very used up when evening came however, & got to bed early. I am happy to say however I feel all right today. So all is for me best in the best possible of worlds. You ask me about Max. I really dont know what to think or to say. Von Brandt took a great fancy to her & heaped presents of all kinds upon her, so much so tha I remonstrated with him. But he said: Oh dont say anything as it gives me great pleasure & I look on her as one of my own nieces. He took her about in every way as no doubt she has written you. He used to go out with her in the early morning to see sights & a thing which Max said in Peking he never would do for any body. And since we came back every steamer brings her reams of letters, books, etc.; the last one brought her 3 boxes. Books, a ??? of beautiful embroidered damask, photographs, & a letter about the lengh of a Sunday NY World! She writes him in the same way. Of course all this is between you & me. You must not let her know I have written you this. Von Brandt is a ne fellow and I like him very much, but then he is a contemporary almost of mine. I think he is 56. A handsome man, but looks his age, white hair & beard. They call hem le Pre Eternel! He is ????, & the Doyen at Peking. e En n, nous verrons! Yours ever A.H.

33

22 September
No. 14 Lgation des Etats Unis e Soul e le 22 sept

Ch`re Amy; e Jai reu ta bonne lettre du 4 aot (No 8) comme je me promenenais avec Mme c u Low,8 il y a quelques jours, et tout en marchant je lisais avec beaucoup dintrt les ee prouesses de mon petit neveu ou plutt mon grand neveu, Quel polisson! Mais il o me semble que le petit doit-tre le plus comment je dirais-je cela taking? Il e ma toujours rappel Miles dans Misunderstood. Dupuis lors les journes se sont e e coules si vites que je ne me suis gu`re apercu de la suite du temps et maintenant e e e au dernier moment comme dhabitude du reste je grionne quelques lignes ` le a hte. M. et Mme Low ne sont rests que trois jours malheureusement mais leur visite a e nen tait peuttre que plus agable pour nous ou pour moi car jen ai jouis e e e avidement. Mme Low la soeur de Mme Lyndall Winthrop est tr`s aimable et je ne e puis gu`re te dire comme ctait bon de pouvoir causer ` son aise de gens et de choses e e a de home. La premi`re fois depuis que nous avons quitt N.Y. De suite apr`s leur e e e dpart M. Bacon, de N.Y., et son jeune ls sont arrivs. Ils resteront encore quelques e e jours attendant le bateau pour la Chine. Ils font le tour du monde et sont maintenant a e ` Pking! A propos de Pking. Tu dis dans ta derni`re lettre ` Papa en parlant des cadeaux e e a que M. Von Brandt ma fait et dont jai parl tr`s discr`tement ` Mme Rob. Winthrop e e e a Still she showed no surprise or approval? Que veut tu dire? J`tais dsole au e e e commencement je ne voulais pas de ses cadeaux mais le plus je my opposais le plus il men donnait alors jai demand ` Papa et ` Maman dintervenir. Ni lun ni lautre ea a ` plusieurs reprises lai-je fait et jai dis a Papa You really must nont rien dit. A stop it, mais sans plus de reultat. Alors, je me suis resign sans trop de mauvaise e grce comme tu peux croire. Moi aussi, jai souvent dsir que tu connaisse M. Von a e e Brandt. Il est si bon! et charmant. Je viens decrire une longue description de
8

Possibly related to Frederick K. Low, who was the U.S. Minister to Peking (1869-74)

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notre enmnagement, de ma chambre etc., ` Addie, qui te laissera probablement lire e a sa lettre car tu comprends naturellement que ce que jai dis dans ma derni`re na e aucune allusion aux lettres entre nous deux. Je suis tout ` fait enrhum, ce qui veut dire bonne a rien. Papa va un peu mieux a e mais il est tout de mme un peu dcourag. Nous esprons toujours faire notre tour e e e e sur le vaisseau de guerre mais malheureusement les Chinois sy opposent. Encore hier nous avons eu de mauvaises nouvelles. Maman va comme dhabitude. Elle tripote du matin jusquau soir ` arranger lune main ce quelle drange de lautre, et a perdu a e ses clefs. Elle vient me dire que ma chambre est un palais et que je suis tout ` fait a gte. Mais cela mamuse! Mon cheval est tr`s bon et maintenant que les temps se ae e remet Jspere lui donner pas mal ` faire. e a Merci des journeaux ainsi que de ta lettre. Amities ` Russell. Mille baisers aux mioches sans toublier. a a ` toi Hl`ne ee

No. 14 United States Legation Seoul 22 Sept. Dear Amy; I received your good letter of 4 August (No. 8) while I was walking with Mrs Low, several days ago, and while walking i read with much interest about the prowess of my little nephew or rather my big nephew, what a rascal! But it seems to me that the younger must be the, how should I say it, the most taking? He has always reminded me of Miles in Misunderstood. From that moment the days have owed so fast that I scarcely percieved the passing of time and now at the last moment as usual I scratch a few lines in haste. Mr and Mrs Low only stayed 3 days, unhappily because their visit could not have been more agreable for us or for me because I took great pleasure in it. Mme Low Mrs Lyndall Wintrops sister is very friendly and I can scarcely tell you how good it is to be able to chat at ease with people about the things of home. The rst time since we left N.Y. Right after their departure, Mr. Bacon, of N.Y., and his son arrived. They stayed several days more waiting for the boat for China. They are making a tour of the world and they are now in Peking! A propos Peking. You say in your last letter to Papa when talking about the gifts that M. von Brandt gave me and which I discussed very discreetly with Miss Rob.

35 Winthrop Still she showed no surprise or approval? What did you mean? I was desolate at the beginning I did not want his gifts but the more I opposed them the more he gave me then I demanded Papa and Maman to intervene. Neither one nor the other said anything. Several times I tried and I told Papa You really must stop it, but without any more result. Well, I am resigned without too much bad feeling as you can believe. Me, also, I have often wanted you to know M. von Brandt. He is so good! and charming. I just wrote a long description of our household, of my bedroom etc. to Addie, who will probabably let you read her letter because you naturally understand that what I said in my last letter makes no allusion to letters between us two. I have the u, which means I am good for nothing. Papa is a little better but even so he is a little discouraged. We still hope to take our tour on the warship but unhappily the Chinese oppose it. Again yesterday we had bad news. Maman gets along as usual. She dgets from morning to night organizing with one hand what she disorganizes with the other, and she has lost her keys. She just told me that my bedroom is a palace and that I am completely spoiled. How amusing! My horse is very good and now that the weather is improving I hope to give him more to do. Thanks for the newspapers as much as for your letter. Love to Russell. A thousand kisses to the little ones without forgetting you. a ` toi Helen

20 October
Seoul. Oct 20 1891

Dear Amy, I have nothing from you unanswered, but I have a note from Russell enclosing one from ????? [looks like Whenton], which please thank him for. I wrote you something last mail about my projected trip. The Allimed [??] arrd. yesterday at Chemulpo almost 1800 tons & we shall be o in a day or two. I sent word to the King that as minister I wished to make myself familiar with the country. It was very easy for me to do this by means of ordinary ????? steamers, but I wished to make the occasion complimentary to him as well as useful to myself, & I had consequently requested the Govt. to give me a man of war for the purpose9 .
9

As discussed below, the USS Alliance was provided for the tour

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CHAPTER 3. 1891

The troubles in China have delayed this somewhat. I enclose a memo received a day or two ago by a high ocer from the Palace, which looks as if they appreciated the circumstance. I had inquired into the rank of the men I should meet, so that I might pay them proper honor. I am much better. I dare say this cruise will make me all right. Your mother & Max are perfectly well. I want them to stay here as it is too late for a pleasure trip, but they ???it as any ale. [??] The mem. was not received from the Palace but was written down from the ??? of the ocer sent to communicate it. Remember me to Mrs Gray & Bessie. Russell ???? Yrs A.H.

At Fusan & Gensan The Chief Ocer is the Kamli or Commissioner of Trade. He is of the order Singee nominally cuamjan or 2nd rank, but practically a cuamwee as 3rd rank. He ranks with a Consul General. And will make the rst call on Mr. Heard. At Ping An The governor resides in the city. He is nominally of the Pansa or rst rank, but in this capacity has the actual rank of Chamfan or 2nd class. and ranks with an Ambassador above a plenipotentiary. Mr Heard will make the rst call, after receiving the governors card, brought by his secretary. After calling on the governor the minister and party will be shown the objects of interest in the city, under an escort of ocers & soldiers. The next day the governor will visit the ship and call on the minister. He can on no account go more than 30 li (10 miles) from his ocial residence without special royal permission, in this case the King has issued special instructions to him to do as above. The anchorage called Chul Toh is something more than 30 li from Ping An, owing to draft of ship. At Fusan and Gensan the Kamlis will provide a repast in foreign style, but at Ping An, it will be impossible from the lack of help and appliances, as the food in the country is very poor and not suited to the foreigner. The governor of Ping An will content himself by sending to the ship a present of chickens, pigs, eggs and other things of like nature. These are His Majestys Instructions.

37 Oct 17/91

The Heard family took the tour o the coast of Korea and the Korean port cities of Wonsan, Fusan, and Pingyang from 24 October to 24 November, 1891. Both father and daughter left descriptions of the tour from their separate viewpoints. The trip is described in Heards report to James G. Blain, the secretary of state, No. 237 US Diplomatic Dispatches. Heard The USS Trenton and the took photographs during the voyUSS Alliance of Smyrna in 1878 age, two of which are now included here having been provided to me by Mr. Robert Ne. The trip was made aboard the USS Alliance, commanded by a Capt. Curley or McCurley. The ship is shown in an 1878 photo of Smyrna (provided by Robert Ne). The voyage began with a trip to Wonsan. The following exerpts from Heards report (transcribed by Robert Ne) describe the visit from Augustine Heards perspective.

Early the next morning we got underway for Wonsan (Japanese Gensan, Chinese Yuensan) the most northerly point of my destination, and greatly favored by the weather, we made the high land of the entrance about 7 am. On the 28th. Wonsan is in lat. 39.15N. long. 127.16E, 784 miles from Chemulpo. The harbor is well marked and of easy access. We came to anchor at half past one in a small but pretty bay, completely sheltered on three sides by moderately high hills. It is open to the north as far as Port Lazare, about 10 miles distant, but I was told that no accident had ever taken place here. Spring tides rise and fall 2 feet; the winter is cold, snow falling to the depth of 2 or 3 feet. Stretching for a mile along the Southern end of the bay is the native town, consisting of about 2,000 poor and dirty houses with perhaps 10,000 inhabitants; and, following northward along the western shore about a mine one reaches the Japanese settlement, containing about 640 inhabitants, the custom house, the landing jetty and all the business establishments of the place. The consul

38

CHAPTER 3. 1891

has a ne large house in the center almost in juxtaposition, a little to the north, is the Chinese concession with 45 inhabitants. A narrow strip between the two contains the houses of the two or three custom ocers, and leads up to the Foreign Cemetery on the hill. The agent of a Russian line of steamers also has his house here. The custom house and the buildings in its immediate vicinity stand on ground a little higher than the rest, which ground, however, is very limited and entirely covered with houses. The settlement extends from a point north of the mole Southward about 2,000 feet along the sea and up to the foot of low hills. The streets are laid in shell, raised a foot or two and they are very neatly kept. It is only partially built ???, and as it is liable in extraordinary oods of the Giord River to be overowed in places, it is customary when building to raise the foundation of the houses about two feet. To the Southward of this ???? is a level plain, which aords the only space on the sea t for a foreign settlement, and in almost in every particular it is admirably adapted for it. It is near the native town where most of the sales are made and the high road from Seoul to Vladivostock passes at its back. Running a line of soundings from the ship I found one carried three fathoms to within 50 Right view of Wonsan in 1891 feet of the shore, when it suddenly shallowed giving excellent opportunity for piers, jetties etc. Unfortunately however, the ground is low and would require to be raised somewhat. A pier and godown might be placed here and residences on the hills behind. There is a beautiful, semi-circular amphitheater, back of the southwest corner of the Japanese concession, and suitable sites may be found along the top of the low hills overlooking the plain. This level ground lines up from the sea, forming the valley of the Giard River, a small stream and on the other side, perhaps a third or a half of a mile across, there is another ??? of hills, the slopes of which oer very desirable situation for residences. To locate the Foreign Settlement nearer the native town would put foreign merchants at a disadvantage as regards Custom House and Shipping facilities. Nearly all the business is in the hands of the Japanese and Chinese - all indeed at this moment - and it is not likely that they would consent, nor would it be right to expect them to do so, to the removal of the custom house from its present situations. The annexed plan or chart, and photographs, will serve to elucidate the above description. The port was opened in 1880, and the value of its trade gradually increased till

39 in 1890, in spite of serious drawbacks of cholera and oods, somewhat eecting the harvest, it amounted to $1,645,617 net, i.e. Foreign and native imports less reexports, and native exports ???? $1,491,135 in 1889, and 1,334,120 in 1888, but it can hardly be expected to remain at this level, as to continue to increase, if Ping Ynag be made an open port as a large portion of the imports of foreign goods is intended for distribution in that neighborhood. Wonsan from its proximity to the gold elds has always had a prominent share in the handling of that metal. The ocial gures of export have been: 1887 $599,160 1888 1889 1890 $676,228 $549,496 $557,884

and probably a larger amount has found its way out of the country undeclared The Superintendent of Trade, Mr. Kim Moon Jay, who lives in the native town, called upon me before I left the ship and oered me the usual civilities. He is a resident of Seoul and has been in charge here only about twelve months. Most of my inquiries were answered by his secretary, Mr. Shin Hwang Moa, who has occupied that post for many years. I gave him a small ???? with champagne, liquors and cigars, and a salute of 9 guns when he left the ship, the same as for a Consul General. Two hours later I returned his call at a small Yamen in the town with commander Mr. Curley, and passed some time with him, talking of the place. He put himself entirely at my disposition for any purpose, but he could really be of little use to me. I only desired to see the place in order to form my own ideas of it. Any negotiations for a site would have to be conducted at Seoul.

The party then went to Fusan, where the photograph of Deer Island was taken. Heard continues

Having completed my observations, we left for Fusan, 353 miles distant, at 9:10 am. On the 30th Oct., and anchored at that port exactly at noon on Sunday, Nov. 1. The entrance is striking, thru high rocks - the Black Rock - standing on the right and Cape Vaskon and ??? Island on the left. The background of the mainland is mountainous and rugged. As we lay at anchor in 4 fathoms water, a half mile from the shore, we had Deer island on our left as to the South of us, and the Japanese Settlement - the only settlement - to the west. The native town, containing 10,000 inhabitants, is about 3 miles o; Tongnai, a large walled city, the residence of the Superintendent of Trade, about 10 miles; and Taku, the capital of the province about 100.

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CHAPTER 3. 1891

Fusan (Corean Pusan) is located in lat. 35 degrees, 6 6 N. long 129 degrees, 3 2 E., and is distant from the nearest point in the Japanese Coast a little over 100 miles. It was settled by men from Tsusima, 30 miles o, several hundred years ago and trade was carried on here in the 15th century. It was looked upon for a long time by Japan as her possession, her colony holding the door open for her armies, and from the time of the great invasion in 1592 down to the signing of the treaty in 1876 an interchange of commodities took place here, consisting of genseng, walnuts, fruits, sh, medicinal plants, pottery which was highly esteemed, and a few manufactures in the heart of Korea, and on the part of Japan of swords, military equipment and a great variety of productions. Commerce was small, but under the new treaty Fusan soon became an active place of trade with a population of 2,000, which has since grown to nearly 4,500 Japanese, 47 Chinese and about 20 of all other nationalities. It is connected with Japan by a submarine telegraph. The opening of Chemulpo dealt her a severe blow - from $2,000,000 in 1882 the gross value of the trade sunk in 1885 to $639,102 - but with the great resources of the provinces, which is one of the most productive of the Kingdom, it soon regained and even surpassed its former prosperity. The gures of its net trade, i.e, Foreign and native imports less reexports, and native exports have been 1888 1889 1890 Net: $1,447,267 $1,830,319 $3,963,470 Gross: $1,486,660 $1,908,643 $4,006,279 As the amount for 1890 has swelled by the large demand for rice owing to a short crop in Japan, it is probable that the ????? for 1891 will not equal it, but there is every reason to believe that the trade rests on a solid foundation, and will steadily increase. The province of Kuing Sang, to which it belongs, is one of the most fertile and prosperous of the Kingdom, and consists almost entirely of the valleys of the Naktong River and its tributaries, which aord easy communication. It contains many important towns. Fusan can also count on a large proportion of the production of Chulla Do, its neighboring province, and of its demand for imports. Up to this date, however, no merchant of European or American nationality have cared to share the prosperity, though it is probable that before another year has gone by some beginnings will have been made. Two or three years ago the Russian agent of a steam company attempted to acquire a lot of land, but was refused by the Korean authorities on the grounds that no sire for foreigners had been designated and the same reason was argued this spring in opposition to the application of some American missionaries. The plea was not valid for under the clause of the Treaty, which provides for the acquisition of land by foreigners within 10 li (3 miles) of the settlement, it would have been impossible to go astray. This opposition, however, lent additional importance to the necessity of having a site denitely xed. ... Deer Island would make an ideal site for a settlement if it were not an island. It

41 presents what is not found on the main - a sucient extent of level, gentle sloping land, admirably situated for drainage, and oering no obstacle to the economical laying out of streets and the erection of buildings. There is deep water, 6 and 7 fathoms, close along side, and vessels could lie within 100 yards of the godowns or at wharves. But the current through the narrow passage between it and the main is swift, communications by boat in bad weather is dicult and sometimes impossible. At one point the distance is only about 400 feet, and, if the trade were suciently large to warrant it, a bridge could be built to connect the two but at present this is impracticable, and without the bridge the site is undesirable. I may say here that the bridge must be a draw or swinging bridge, in order not to impede navigation which in junks to and from the Naktong River is considerable. Deer Island is of moderate extent, diversied in surface and being almost without inhabitants oers an admirable situation for private residences while oces for business, godowns, etc might be placed on the main land. It is 4 miles from North to South and about a mile and a half across in its widest part. It has good water. Its highest peak reaches an elevation of 1,300 feet. The Coreans are averse to selling land on it to foreigners but I am told that Japanese have acquired a considerable quantity by mortgaging and foreclosing on farms. For the site of the Foreign Settlements, nothing remains, as I have said above, but the land between the Japanese and Chinese concessions, a stretch bout half a mile long, hilly and precipitous. For the most part it rises abruptly from the sea. A hill jutting out has been claimed for the English Consulate and marked by boundary stones. Another hill to the southward has been reserved for the house of the Commissioner of Customs. A road ??? along the hill side from the Japanese tot he native town and the entire front between it and the sea with the exception of a narrow lot next the Chinese concession has been reserved for the customs. The only ground at all level is the slope between the two hills above mentioned as reserved and the lot next the Chinese concession, which also slopes up from the water. The space reserved for the customs is unnecessarily large, and should be greatly reduced. Its absurd that nine-tenths of the sea front of a mercantile concession should be devoted to this custom house and its ???????, and I should propose to place business establishments along the water and others of a dierent naDeer Island ture and residents on the hill at the back. The Foreign Settlement may also extend behind the Japanese quarter tot he bottom of the valley looking out

42

CHAPTER 3. 1891

south to sea behind Deer Island. The commissioner of customs, Mr. Hunt, has his private house, belonging to himself, behind the customs hill, and the American Presbyterian mission have taken three sites, 200 feet square each, just behind him, where they are now building. Close by an English mission have secured land.

Maxs account of the voyage is more personal.

25 November
No. 16 Seoul le 25 nov. 91 Chre Amy Mille fois merci de ta bonne lettre de 9 oct. (No. 9) qui mrite un aussi e e bonne rponse. Je me demande seulement pour o` commencer car il est arriv tant de e u e choses depuis la derni`re fois que je tai cris un peu avant notre dpart si je ne me e e e trompe. Notre voyage a t [un] des plus agrables. Mer calm, temps superbe, bonne ee e compagnie, enn tout ce que nous pouvions dsirer. Nous sommes alls a Wonsan10 e e ` dabord un endroit dsol o` nous ne sommes rest que 48 heurs. La derni`re e e u e e apr`s midi je suis all ` terre avec Papa et me suis promen avec M. Diesen (???) e e a e de la douane, homme tr`s agrable pendant que Papa fasait des questions daaires. e e Le soir mme M. O. ma envoy un bouquet superbe de chrysanthemums et dune e e grande eur rouge qui mont rappel les animones de Biarritz. De la nous sommes e 11 alls ` Pusan , plus au sud et aussi plus joli. Nous y tions pour le jour de naissance e a e de lempereur du Japon, ce qui est toujours un jour de grande fte pour les Japonais e qui font ` peu-pr`s les seules habitants de Pusan. Papa ` dejeun ` la Lg. Jap. a e a ea e tandis que Maman et moi ont fait de mme chez Mme Hunt, jeune du commissaire e de la douane12 . Tu sais ce quest le service nest-ce pas? Ce nest pas comme chez nous. De la ` Nagasaki pour du charbon. Des journes et les nuits idals ni trop a e e froides ni trop chaudes. Il ny avait ni visites ni aairs et nous ne sommes rests que e
10 Wonsan, also known as Gensan by the Japanese and Yuensan by the Chinese, was one of the three major ports of Korea. 11 Pusan was one of Koreas three primary ports, but it was in the hands of the Japanese. During the invasions of 1592 and 1593 by Hideyoshi, Pusan had been taken from the Koreans and occupied by the Japanese. Even when the Japanese subsequently evacuated, a sucient military force was left to keep Pusan as Japans only foreign colony, a status which it retained until 1876 when it was opened as a treaty port with the Japanese retaining a dominant role. 12 J.H. Hunt was the commissioner of customs at Pusan

43 peu de temps, faisant quelques ????? etc. Le grand vaisseau Anglais lImperiuse e y tait aussi, notre capitaine a eu lobligeance de my conduire lamiral Sir Fred. e Richards tant absent Papa ne pouvait gu`re le faire. Cest dommage car nous avions e e fait sa connaissance ` Pking. De Nagasaki nous sommes encore alls au nord mais a e e en longeant lautre cte de la pninsule, pour aller ` Ping-Ang. En route nous avons o e a ramass cinq pauvres chinois naufrags qui se cramponnaient ` leur pauvre jonque e e a renvers. Ici jai t interrompu pour recevoir la visite de M. et Mme Emile Bocher le e ee Commissaire Francais le premi`re fois que je parle franais depuis je ne sais combien e c de mois jai t pouvant du rsultat! Mais revenons ` nos moutons. Lentre de eee e e a e la rivi`re est dangereuse les cartes tres mauvaise ce qui fait que nous sommes alls a e e ttons jusqu` ??? 5 km. (???) de la ville, o` nous avons jt lancre. De l` Papa a a u ee a avec pleusieurs ociers sont alls dans le steam launch jusqu` la ville o` ils ont eu e a u une grande rception du Governeur. Mais Papa te racontera tout cela et mieux que e moi car je nai pas pu y aller. En attendant trois des ociers, ceux dont jai su le plus, et moi nous sommes amusss tant bien que mal au dsespoir du capitaine, qui e e me disait je les dmoraliseaient tous. Un petit pic nic ` laventure, et un candy e a pull a bord taient les grands venements. Jai vu l quelque chose de tr`s curieux. e e a e Des milliers doies et de canards sauvages, ca faisait un bruit comme un machine a ` vapeur letting o steam. Erayant. Un phaisant est venu se percher sur un du cordages du vaiseau! Jai toute sa peau comme souvenir. Apr`s cinq jours dans la la rivi`re nous sommes revenus sains et sauf, apr`s une e e e travers de deux jours, toujours avec un beau soleil et une vue incomparables. Une e journe a Chemulpo, que jai pass` avec Mme Johnston, 13 et dimanche soir nous e e a vu coucher ici, bien contents dtre de retour, mais plus que satisfaits du voyage. e Les ociers ont t charmante pour nous tous, surtout pour moi. Papa se porte ee beaucoup mieux et en est aussie charm` que moi. Il fait tr`s froid depuis notre e e retour, mais beau. Pleusieurs personnes (???) son dja venues nous voir avec les e mmes questions et souhaits enchant etc. de nous revoir. Vendredi nous dinons e e chez M. Hillier (lAnglais) et mercredi prochain, aujourdhui en nuit Mme Bunker donne son Shakespeare evening auquel je dois lire le rle de Portia! Voil` notre o a commencement. Mais que le monde est petit apr`s tout. Tu te rappelles Mme Royal Phelps Carroll e ne Suzanne Bancroft? Elle est ` Peking avec son mari, revenu du Kamchatka o` ils e a u se sont amuss a tuer des ours et en route pour lInde et le Java. M. Brandt mecrit e quelle est charmante et jolie! quils ont t ftes par tout le monde. Il leurs a donn ee e e un grand diner dont je tenvois le menu. Cela te donneras peut-tre une ide de ce e e que lont peut avoir en Chine. Tu nas que y ajouter une dizaine de vins dirents e
13 Mr. and Mrs. Johnston were in Korea for at least ten years and he worked for the Korean Maritime Customs Oce and was apparently Chief Commissioner of Customs in 1893 [6].

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CHAPTER 3. 1891

et imaginer une table superbe, couvertes de eurs dans des vases de cloisonn, des e cristaux etc. dans une grande salle dune boiseries neutre, les tag`res et les murs e e couverts de blue et blancs tandis que le plafond et compos de panneaux ` fond e a blanc ivoire, avec laigle Prussian, et le drapeau Chinois en or, alternativement. Tiens! jai envie que tu connaisses mieux ce que je decris si mal. Je tenvoie deux phot. de la salle ` manger, et une de la salle de bal ou grand salon. Il me les a donn pour a e souvenir mais je nen ai gu`re besoin pour cela et tu peux me les gardes aussi bien. e La porte ` gauche dans le no 1 va dans la grande salle dans le no 2 ` loce derni`re a a e le paravent fait dune vielle toe japonaise, delicieuse. e Par la porte de n. est. on voit le petit-salon de crmonie duquel on entre dans ee les appartements privs de M. B. Les tentures qui ne sont pas poses ici sont e e de satin rouge brod dor chinois, tandis que les panneax du plafond sont encadrs e e de rouge au lieu de brun. Les plantes se trouvent au milieu de la chambre en face de la porte de la salle ` manger qui est ` gauche comme on entre. A droit il y a quatre a a grandes portes vitrees donnant sur la vranda et la jardin. e e 14 Il parait que Mme Outrey a un ramollissement de cerveau! Amalia mecrit de Knole au dsespoir parceque les Salancon sont au Mexique. La pauvre enfant est e triste pour autre cause et ce coup l` a lair de lachever. Le dernier courier ma aussi a apport une lettre de M. L. Winthrop. Une espce de composition qui ma tout ` e e a fait tonn. Cette ide de mcrire tout dun coup! e e e e Nous navons rien dAugustine, tout au plus une invitation ` la rception. a e Mes souliers jaunes sont arrivs et me vont ` merville. Jen suis enchant et e a e e jsp`re quils russiront toujours aussi bien. Jattends les noirs avec impatience, e e e cest ` dire, les souliers de rues les autres sont ???? les ????. Et maintenant, a soeurette, jsp`re que jai assez jaser pour aujourdhui et que ma lettre est causeuse. e e Mille baisers pour toi et les mioches amitis aux tiens. e Hl`ne ee 2 dec Je tenvoie aussi par ce courier un jupon chinois satin noir brode dor e en deux morceaux dont un a ton address lautre ` Mme Gray, que tu rclameras. a e Je lenvoie comme chantillon mais jsp`re quil arrivera en bon tat et sans te e e e e donner dennuie. Jen ai t la doublure qui tait vieille laissant les points expr`s oe e e tu pourras peut-tre en faire quelque garniture de robe en tout les cas il e vaut mieux que tu lai(e??) maintenant car Dieu sais quand nous nous reverrons. Dis moi en quel tat il arrive. Il nest pas de coutume de donner le prix de cadeaux e mais si par hasard on voulait te faire payer, la chose enti`re, avec doublure de satin e n ` coupt que $5.00 ` peu[-pr`s] quatre en amrique donc ne te laisse pas voler. Je a e a e e cherche depuis quelques temps une petite chose pour Mme Gray qui puisse passer par
14

Madame Outrey was the wife of the French minister to Washington in 1882

45 la poste, mais sans succ`s. Si tu trouve le jupon ferai (????) et quil ne te plaise pas e donne le lui de ma part et garde le morceau de brocard (3 /4 yd) blanc et or que je tenverrai apr`s avoir attendu que ces pacquets ci soient bien lancs. Il te fairai e e une tr`s joli garniture mais enn tu peux choisir. Le mme courier emporte pour e e Addie un petit paquet troit ` ton adresse. Remets le lui sil te plait. e a Mille baisers et bon souhaites pour la nouvelle anne. e Hl`ne ee Dis ` Russell que jenvoi une demande dargent pour $400. comme dhabitde. a u

Menu
Tortue claire. Bouch`es ` la reine. e a Hua chi yu, sauce mayonnaise. Selle de mouton ` langlaise. Pain de gibier a Ctettes de volaille aux petits pois. o Caud-froid de faisans. Dinde rtie. o Fonds dartichauts. Charlotte Russe. Glace au caf`. Welsh rarebits. e Dessert.

No. 16 Seoul 25 Nov. 91 Dear Amy A thousand thanks for your good letter of 9 Oct. (No. 9) which merits an equally good response. I wonder only where to begin because so many things have happened since the last time that I wrote you a little before our departure if I am not mistaking. Our voyage was one of the most agreable. Calm sea, superb weather, good company, all we could desire. We went to Wonsan rst a desolate place where we stayed 48 hours. The last afternoon I went on land with Papa and I walked with Mr. Diesen of the customs, a very agreable man, while Papa asked business questions. That same evening M.O. sent me a superb chrysantehemum bouquet and a grand red ower which reminded me of the anenmonies of Biaritz. From there we went to Pusan, more to the south and and also pretty. We were there for the birthday of the emperor of Japan, always a holiday for the Japanese who were almost the only inhabitants of Pusan. Papa had lunch at the Japanese legation while Maman

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CHAPTER 3. 1891

and I did the same at Miss Hunts, daughter of the commissioner of customs. You know about the service, dont you? It is not like at home. From there to Nagasaki for carbon. Ideal days and nights neither too cold nor too hot. There was no business and no visits and we stayed there only a little time, doing several ???? etc. The large English vessel the Imperious was also there our captain had the character to take me there the admiral Sir Fred. Richards being absent. Papa could scarcely do it. It is a pity because we had made his aquaitance in Peking. From Nagasaki we were still going to the north, but along the other coast of the peninsula, to go to Ping-Ang. On route we gathered ve poor Chinese crammed into their sunken junk. Here I was interrupted by the visit of Mr. and Mrs. Emile Bocher the French commissioner, the rst time that I spoke French for I dont know how many months I was horried at the result. But lets return to the subject. The entrance to the river is dangerous and the maps very bad which made us proceed very carefully until we were 5 km from the town, where we dropped anchor. From there Papa with several ocers went in the steam launch to the town where they had a grand reception from the Governor. But Papa will tell you all about that better than I because I was not able to go. While waiting three ocers, those about whom I knew the most, and I amused ourselves well enough to the desperation of the captain, who told me that I was demoralizing all of them. A little adventurous picnic, and a candy pull on board were the grand events. I saw there something very curious. Thousands of wild geese and ducks making a noise like a steam boat letting o steam. Frightening. A pheasant came and perched in the lines of the boat. I have its skin as a souvenir. After ve days on the river we returned safe and healthy, after a traverse of two days, still with a beautiful sun and an incredible view. One day at Chemulpo, which I spent with Mrs Johnston, and Sunday night we were welcomed to sleep here, well content to have returned, but more than satised by the voyage. The ocers were charming for us all, especially to me. Pappa is much better and is as charmed by the trip as I. It has been very cold since our return, but nice. Many people have already come to visit us with the same questions and wishes, enchanted etc. to see us again. Friday we dine chez M. Hillier (the Englishman) and next Wednesday, tonight Mrs Bunker presents her Shakespeare evening for which I will read the role of Portia! Voila our beginning. After all how small the world is. You remember Miss Royal Phelps Carroll born Suzanne Bancroft? She is in Peking with her husband, just back from Kamchatka where they amused themselves killing bears and en route for India and Java. Mr. Brandt wrote me that she is charming and pretty! that everyone entertained them. He gave them a grand dinner and I enclose the menu. It will give you perhaps an idea of what one can have in China. You have only to add a dozen dierent wines and imagine a superb table, covered with owers in cloisonne vases, crystal, etc. in a grand hall with neutral woodwork, shelves and walls covered with blue et blancs

47 whereas the ceiling is composed of panels of white ivory, with the Prussian eagle, and a Chinese gold curtain, alternating. Well! I want you to know better what I describe so badly. I am sending you two photos of the dining room, and one of the ballroom or grand salon. He gave me them as a souvenir but I have scant need of them and two can guard them for me well enough. The door on the left in the rst photo goes to the main room in the second to the ocer behind the folding screen made of an old Japanese fabric, delicious. From the northeastern door one sees the little ceremonial room from which one enters the private apartments of Mr. B. The tapestries which are not placed here are of a red satin bordered in Chinese gold, while the panels on the ceiling are framed in red instead of blond. The plants are in the middle of the room facing the door to the dining room which is on the left when one enters. To the right there are four grand stained glass window doors opening to the veranda and the garden. It appears that Madame Outrey has a brain tumor! Amalia wrote me from Knole in desperation because the Salancons are in Mexico. The poor child is sad for other reasons and this blow was the last straw. The last mail also brought me a letter from M.L. Winthrop. A real composition which genuinely astonished me. The idea of writing me so suddenly! We have nothing from Augustine, nally an invitation to the reception. My yellow shoes arrived and suit me to perfection. I am enchanted with them and I hope they will still succeed well enough. I wait for the black ones with impatience, that is to say the street shoes the others are ???? the ????. And now, dear sister, I hope that I have abled enough for today and that my letter is chatty. A thousand kisses for you and the little ones love to yours. Helen 2 Dec. I send to you also by this mail a Chinese petticoat black satin bordered in gold in two pieces of which one has your address and the other to Mrs. Gray, that you will reclaim. I send it as a sample but I hope that it will arrive in good condition without causing you problems. I removed the lining which was old, leaving the stiches on purpose you will be able perhaps to make a decoration for a dress in any case it is better that you have it now as God knows when we will see each other again. Tell me in what state it arrives. It is not customary to give the price of gifts, but if perchance somebody wants to pay you, the entire thing, with satin lining cost only about $5 about four in America, so dont dont let yourself steal. I have been looking for some time for a little something for Mrs Gray which could pass through the post, but without success. If you nd the petticoat ???? and that it does not please you give it to her on my bahalf and keep the piece of white and gold brocade (3/4 yd) that I will send you after these packages have been sent. It will make for you a very pretty decoration but it is for you to decide. The same mail carries for Addie a

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CHAPTER 3. 1891

small thin package to your address. Please pass it on to her. A thousand kisses and best wishes for the new year. Helen Tell Russel that I am sending a money request for $400 as usual.

4 December
No. 17 Le 4 dc. 1891 e Soul e Ch`re Amy e Seulement quelques mots pour expliquer les photographies que voici. Imagines toi donc sur le seuil de la porte entre la salon et la salle ` manger. Tournant le dos ` a a le derri`re tu regarde presque en face un petit peu ` gauche ce qui tempche de e a e voir la baie pareille ` celle de la salle ` manger, car si tu te retournes tu regarderas a a un peu ` gauche. (On entre du vestibule au salon.) Le soir tu verais Maman assise a dans le grand fauteuil (rouge comme les autres) Papa dans la chaise ` bascule dont a tu vois seulement ma pied, et moi entre les deux dans une chaise basse et le dos ` la a lumi`re. Lapr`s midi nous avons le th sur la petite table que tu vois ` gauche en e e e a hiver la pole est plus ` gauche encore remplac en t par un revolving bookcase e a e ee qui prend place dans un coin de la salle ` manger en hiver. A droite de la salle ` a a manger il y [a] ` ct du paravant qui est est tr`s grand et cache la porte de loce a oe e une esp`ce de bahut avec des verres (??) ` ct duquel la porte par o` on va ` la e a oe u a gallerie (No 1) pour passer aux chambres ` coucher. Tout ` fait au fond le cabinet a a de travail de Papa ch. ` c. ` droite de lautre ct dun corridor o` on garde des a a oe u malles. Regarder ` gauche (No. 2) grande ch. damie vieille de Maman porte a au fond vide ma vieille chambre fentre au cab. de toilette. e Maintenant si tu veux tu peux venir chez moi. (No 1) aussitt en entrant (la porte o est au coin) tu as un petite table oval ` ouvrage-invisible ` ta droite le lit et aussi a a de suite. La porte va au cab. de toilette et une grand armoire ` lamricaine. Le a e petit tapis au pied du lit est en soie blue et blanche le couvre pied soie blue ciel avec application de broderies chire en l dor. Le biblioth`que sexplique delle mme seulement elle est d`ja plus pleine les e e e photo. ont t faites il y a six semaines au moins bientt apr`s notre installation. ee o e Le No 2 te montre ma table de toilette, la place de laquelle te montre lautre cte o de la chambre le grand pole russe et le cabinet Koren ayant trois compartements e e et dans lequel je garde linge, robes blanches et chapeaux. Ma table ` ecrire donne a sur le fentre par laquelle jai une jolie vue du Nam Lasse (????). Assieds toi et tu e

49 auras une autre fentre ` ta gauche, derni`re toi le canap devant lequel une peau e a e e de lopard. Au pied du canap en ligne-droite souvre une porte sur la vranda. Les e e e rideaux sont blancs doubls et bords de gros bleu un peu gobelin. Le plafond est e e haut avec de poutres putres en bois vernis. Le reste de la boiserie est faites en blanc. a Nest-ce pas quelle est jolie, claire et confortable? Jy ai le soleil toute la journe e jusqu` quatre heures quand il entre dans mon cabinet de toilette o` tu verrais un a u Loochow tub-lavabo et chaise perce, car on na pas de cabinet ici. Je suis fch de ne e a e pouvoir les mettre sur des cartes mais je nai pas le temps avant le dpart du courrier. e Joubliais celle de Maman nest-ce pas quelle est bonne? Tu vois que nous ne sommes pas ` plaindre et que notre maison nest pas mal du tout, pour ne pas dire a jolie. soignes toi bien et nous cris bientt mille baisers pour toi et les mioches. e o Hl`ne ee Tout est blanc de neige.

Unfortunately the photos referred to in the letter have not survived, but photos of the original plan of the Legation and of the nished Legation do survive in the State Department archives:

Plan of U.S. Legation, Seoul, Korea

U.S. Legation, Seoul, Korea

No. 17 4 Dec. 1891 Seoul Dear Amy

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CHAPTER 3. 1891

Just a few words to explain the enclosed photographs. Imagine yourself at the threshold of your door between the living room and the dining room. Turning around to look behind you you see in front of you a little to the left what prevents you from seeing the door opening like that of the dining room, since when you turn back you will see a little to the left. (On enters from the vestibule to the living room.) At night you would see Maman sitting in the grand easy chair (red like the others) Papa in his swivel chair where you see only my foot, and Me between the two in a low chair with my back to the light. In the afternoon we have tea on the little table that you see on the left in winter the furnace is even more to the left replaced in the summer by a revolving bookcase which takes its place in a corner of the dining room in winter. To the right of the dining room to the side of the large screen which hides the oce door some kind of wooden chest with glasses beside which is the door leading to the gallery (No 1) to the bedrooms. At the base of Papas oce bedroom to the right of the other side of a corridor where the trunks are stored. Look to the left (No 2) large visitors bedroom formerly Mamans door at the front empty my old bedroom window to the bathroom. Now if you would like you can come to my home. (No 1) as soon as you enter (the door is in the corner) you have a little oval working table on your right the bed is next. The door goes to the bathroom and a large American armoire. The little rug at the foot of the bed is blue and white silk the sky blue velvet foot blanket has gold thread borders. The bookshelves explain themselves only they are already too full. The photos were made six weeks ago right after we moved in. The No 2 shows you my makeup table, which shows the other side of my bedroom the grand Russian furnace and the Korean dresser having three compartments within which I keep linen, white dresses, and hats. My writing table looks out the window from which I have a pretty view of Nam Lasse (???). Seat yourself and you will have another window at your left, behind you the sofa in front of which is a leopard skin. At the foot of the sofa in a straight line a door opens on the veranda. The curtains are white lined and bordered with bright blue in the Gobelin style. The roof is high with plastered beams in varnished wood. The rest of the woodwork is white. Is it not pretty, clear, and comfortale? There is sun there all day until 4 when it enters my bathroom where you would see a Loochow tub-sink and a chaise perce, because there are no toilets here. I am angry e to not be able to put them on the cards but I do not have enough time before the mail leaves. I forgot Mamans Isnt it nice? You see that we cannot complain and that our house is not at all bad, which is not to say pretty. Take care of yourself and write soon a thousand kisses for you and the little ones. Helen Everything is white with snow.

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12 December
No 17 Sul o Le 12 dcembre /91 e Ch`re Amy. Te sens tu disposie pour une longue causerie intime pour ne pas dire e condentielle? Je lesp`re car jen aie justement tr`s envie dautant plus que je suis e e dans un grand embarras duquel tu es la seule personne qui puisse men tirer. Jai bien peur que cela ne te donne pas beaucoup denuies et de tourments que je tpargnerais bien volonti`rs enn je sens si sr que tu feras ce que tu pourra e e u que je me mets enti`rement ` ta merci. Nest-ce pas? Mais le dicult maintenant e a e comment commuiquer? Lemotion fait trembler ma main et les mots ne me viennent pas, et pourtant tiens je vais venir droit au but je me marie! avec qui tu as sans doute dja divin M. von Brandt. Oui, cest vrai ne pousse pas les hauts cris e e et cest justement parceque cest vrai et que je suis si heureuse et quil y a tant a ` dire, que je suis si trouble. Tu veux sans doute conna e tre toute lhistoire je ten dirai ce que je peux plus tard car avant tout le plus important, que voici: Nos anailles ne sont pas encore annoncies et je dois donc travailler en secret, ce qui c nest pas tr`s facile comme tu peux limaginer, et jai du envoyer aux quatre coins e ee du monde pour me rassembler une esp`ce de trouseau. Je pense que la crmonie e aura bien au printemps mais rien nest encore dcid sur ce point except que jai e e e 15 promis dtre prte ` la n de mars. Jai envoy ` tante Parrot pour du linge il ya e e a ea six semaines. elle doit tout juste avoir reu ma lettre mais ne pouvant lui dire c pourquoi ne que je suis tr`s presse de lavoir je suis dans des transes de peur quil e e narrive pas ` temps. Je nai absolument rien qui soit tant soit peu convenable. a Je voudrais alors que tu mach`tes quatre robes de nuit, autant de pantalones, jolis e et bons qui pourrons me servir dans lintervalles. Cest le plus important mais il y a encore dautre choses. Addie garde pour moi une bo remplie de livres, un chle en te a cachemir, mes dentelles etc. Prends la si tu peux et fait ce que tu veux du contenu menvoyant seulement le chle, les dentelles, mes vieux journaux (addresse a Addie) a e ce quil peut y avoir de lettre, de carnets, enn dcriture et je crois aussi une petite e boite marqus relics Je ne me rappelle plus exactement le reste mais je ne crois e pas quil y ai quoique ce soit ` quoi je tienne surtout pas de bibelots jen ai a
15 Tante Mary, Mme Henri LHomme, a childhood friend of Amys. Daughter of Philippe Parrot, a neurologist in Paris. Amy and her sons visited her at her summer home, Chateau de Mercey, Cote dOr, in 1901.

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CHAPTER 3. 1891

tant! Mon argenterie que tu gardes et la petite montre quon ma gard des choses de e tante Marie. Maintenant pour commission une livre de poudre ` dents faites pour Dr. a Briggs 125 Marlborough St. tu peux lacheter de lui ($1.00) ou chez les pharmiciens dont ladresse ci-incluse de loeil de perdrix-toile, assez pour faire douze serviettes. Je crois quune pi`ce sera assez jai le mme mod`le que toi ` moins que tu naies e e e a chang des pingles ` cheveux comme mod`le, une brosse ` cheveux ivoire, fais y e e a e a mettres mes initials en noir. Je dessine le dos de ma vieille que tu aies une ide de la e grandeur. 2 bobbines de dental oss, une bouteille de liquid blacking Une ou deux paires de pantoues, sans talons. Tuttle a quelquefois quelquechoses dassez joli en fantaisie. Prends les en peau, soie, ou velour, mais surtout quils soient jolie et lgers e pour les chaleurs. Quatre pairs de bas, cotton n ou en l, jaune comme chantillon e Est-ce erayant? Je ten envoie une liste spar pour que cela soit plus intelligible. e e Les pingles ` cheveux tu trouveras chez Emerson Temple place. Pour le linge tu e a trouveras mieux chez Stearnes je crois, tout fait. Maintenant ne vas pas te fatiguer pour tcher de trouver des choses bon march, a e ce nest pas le moment deconomiser quelques sous. Prends une voiture et fais le aussi facilement que possible, aussi avec le moins de dlais. Je voudrai si cest humainement e possible que la bo soit ici les premiers jours de mars tu lenverras par S. Franc. te au plus vite. Il me semble que la plupart des choses tu pourrais acheter par carte postal pour ainsi dire. Jai envoy ` Elise Perkins pour des petites chemises en soie ea lautre jours lui disont de les envoyer par le Dept. il est possible quelle ne la pas encore fait en quel cas tu pourras les mettre dans la boite. Mais tout ceci est pour a e toi seule et Russell ` qui il sera ncessaire den parler, mais nen fais aucune allusion dans tes lettres ` Papa et Maman qui le savent sans doute!, mais je ne voudrais a pas que Papa lcrire ` la famille ce quil serait certain de vouloir faire et il y a les e a raisons pour lesquels nous ne voulons pas encore en parler tu comprends nest-ce pas. Cest pour ca que je crains que tu ne puisse pas te procurer la bo dAddie te sans exciter des soupcons et peuttre lui causer de la peine de ne le lui avoir pas dis, e ce que je ne voudrai pour bien au monde. Tu feras comme tu pourras et si il y a ce danger laisse cette partie l` pour plus tard et envoies moi ce que tu peux de la a liste des choses ci inclus. Jai des dettes partout naturellement et je ne sais pas encore au juste ` quoi elles reviendrons mais il est plus que probable quil faudra que a je retire mon argent de la caisse dpargne. Si tu veux bien tu pourrais demander ` e a Russell quelles formalitis il y aura ` subir ` propos des questions dargent. Est-ce e a a quil ne faudra pas signer des papiers etc.? Une foi que je change de nom. Mais assez causer daairs pour le moment et je vais tcher de tinteresser autrement. a Je commence donc au commencement que ta curiosit tr`s lgitime soit satisfaite. e e e Notre mois a Pking tu connais dj`, comme notre hte a t bon pour nous, surtout e ea o ee pour moi ds le commencement. Apr`s notre retour du temple tu te rappelles e e nous avons pass quatre jours ` un temple, au millieu de notre visite. Il ny avait dja e a e

53 rien qui fut assez bon pour moi, je nosais vraiment presque pas ouvrir la bouche de peur de laisser tomber un mot qui exprima le plus petit dsir ou caprice. Nous tions e e toujours ensemble passant de longues heures en tte ` tte et gure toi quavec tout e a e cela je ne me doutais absoluement de rien. Cest pourtant vrai il avait toujours t ee si bon pour moi que lide ne mtait jamais venu en tte quil maimt sriusement e e e a e e et la peur me prenait quelque fois quand je pensais que la n devrait venir si tt. o Elle vint pourtant et nous nous sommes quittes en bons amis qui devaient se revoir dans deux ou trois jours car il mavait promis de venir ` Tientsin avant notre depart. a Espoir du car nous ne nous sommes jamais revus! Il y a de ca six mois pense donc. ec Il me semble que cest une ternit et encore que nous avons encore trois mois de plus, e e car maintenant que la rivi`re est gele il ne peut plus sortir de Pking. En n nous e e e tions si malheureux loin lun de lautre quil sest dcid ` surmonter ses scrupules e e ea sur nos ges et je me suis donne ` lui au mois de juillet. Il a fait sa demande ` a e a a Papa au mois de septembre Deux lettres par mois, quelquefois moins et toute ces horreurs, surtout les fausses alarmes, sont ce que jai comme consolation. Tu peux timaginer par quelles transes jai pass au commencement. Il ny a pas lair dy avoir e beaucoup de danger maintenant et je deviens plus brave. Voil` de nous mantenant a de lui. Il est grand, assez fort, bel homme. Les cheveux, la barbe et la moustache dun blanc superb, encadrent une physionomie tout ` fait charmante. Le front tr`s a e haut, des yeux bleus, tr`s vifs, surmontis dpais sourcils noirs, et un beau nez. Voil` e e a a ` peu pr`s la personne de ton futur beau fr`re et je crois pas avoir exag`r en rien, e e ee bien au contraire. Il a le character gai; tr`s causeur, et un coeur grand comme lui. e Gentihomme jusquaux bouts des ongles en sommes il a toutes les qualits que e jai jamais rvs pour mon mari. La carri`re diplomatique est belle et si il est rest e e e e si longuetemps ` Pking cest ` cause de sa sant qui nest pas forte notre seul a e a e chagrin dont le climat lui va mieux quaucun autre. Son titre dExcellence lui a t donn par le vieil empereur Guillaume il y a une dizaine dannes pour quelque ee e e grand service, et a t fait membre du conseil priv en mme temps. A Peking il est ee e e le doyen du corps diplomatique nest-ce pas qu cest drle ta petite soeur doyenne! o Il est tr`s aim et respect de tout le monde. Il nest pas millionaire Dieu Merci! e e e 14 dcembre e Ici jai t interrompu par une visite et bien que je nai pas beaucoup de temps ee aujourdhui je vais tcher dajouter quelques mots pour tre sr de ne pas manquer a e u le courier. Mais je crois tavoir tout dis sinon tu peux me faire des questions maintenant ce qui nest plus naif! car je suis plus libre dy rpondre. Jtais bien plus e e fch contre moimme que contre vous ` propos de mes lettres! Jai d avoir la tte a e e a u e tourne, il me semble que tout ce que jai cris est raide et dr et pourtant je ne lai e e u jamais t moins. Je suis si heureuse! et quand je pense que le monde va me plaindre ee - he is so old je les entends dire cela me semble si absurde. Il est vrai quil a 56 ans et que je nen aurai que 24 au mois de mai mais il y a bien des hommes plus jeunes qui

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CHAPTER 3. 1891

sont plus vieux de coeur. Je ne puis pas me guerer malheureuse aupr`s de lui, et je e ne trouve plus de mots pour exprimer lorgueil que je sens dans mon amour quand je pense quil a bien voulu de moi, si petite, et que je pourrai pettre lui rendre un peu ue de bonheur quil me donne. Il est seul au monde, except deux ni`ce maries, donc il e e e ny a personne pour me disputer le droit. mais je nose me lancer dans ce chap qui tre naurait pas de n et nirait par te fatiguer. Il crit et parle langlais parfaitement e mais ave beaucoup daccent mais je commence dj` mes leons dAllemand et suis ea c toute etonne de voir comme il me vient facilement. Tu te moquerais sans doute de e mes lettres, cest ` dire des pages ici et l` ecrit en Allemand; cest gal jy arriverai a a e car il faudrai que je sois bien bte avec un maitre pareil! Son petit nom est Max! Pas e que cest drle? Il faudra nous numrot un et deux. Enn embrasse moi et o e e dis moi que tu es contente davoir un aussi charmant beau fr`re bien que il soit e e e Prussien. Je nai gu`re besoin dajouter que jattends ta rponse avec impatience et de savoir si tu pourras me faire ces commissions. Et surtout pas un mot ` qui que ce a soit except Russell qui respectera mon secret aussi bien que toi, jen suis sre. e u Encore un baiser et je te quitte. a ` toi Hl`ne ee

No. 17 Seoul 12 December /91 Dear Amy. Do you feel disposed for a long intimate, if not to say condential, chat? I hope so since that is exactly what I would like and whats more I am in an embarrassing situation and you are the only person who can extricate me from it. I am truly afraid that it will cause you cares and torments which I would willingly spare you nally I feel so sure that you will do what you can that I put myself entirely at your mercy, yes? But the diculty now, how to communicate it? Emotion makes my hand tremble and the words do not come to me, and therefore, well, I am going to come straight to the point I am getting married! with whom you have no doubt already guessed M. von Brandt. Yes, it is true dont scream and it is just because it is true and that I am so happy that there is so much to say, that I am so troubled. Without doubt you would like to know the full history I will tell you what I can later but above all the most important is this: Our engagement has not yet been announced and I must therefore work in secret, which is not easy as you can imagine, and I have to send to the four corners of the world in order to put together some kind of trouseau. I think that the ceremony will take place in spring but nothing is yet decided on this point except that I promised to be ready at

55 the end of March. I sent to Aunt Parrot for the linen six weeks ago. she should just have received my letter but not being able to tell her why I was in such a hurry to have it I am horribly frightened for fear that it will not arrive in time. I have absolutely nothing which is even a little suitable. I would like therefore for you to buy me four (or six) evening dresses, as well as pants prety and good which will serve me during the intervals. That is the most important, may there are still other things. Addie is keeping for me a box full of books, a cachemir shawl, my lace, etc. Take it if you can and do what you wish with the contents sending me only the shawl, lace, my old newspapers (addressed to Addie) and whatever it might have of letters, notebooks, lastly writings and I believe also a little box marked relics. I do not remember exactly the rest but I do not believe that there is anything which I treasure above all the trinkets I have enough! My silver which you have and the little display which holds Aunt Maries things. Now as a commission a pound of tooth powder made for Dr. Briggs 125 Marlborough St. you can buy it from him ($1.00) or at a pharmacy at the enclosed address some eye of the pheasant lace, enough to make twelve napkins. I believe that one piece will be enough I have the same model as you unless you have changed hairpins as a model, an ivory hairbursh, have them put my initials in black. I have drawn the back of my old one to give you an idea of the size. Two spools of dental oss, a bottle of liquid blacking One or two pairs of slippers without heels. Tuttle sometimes has some things that are pretty enough and fanciful. Get them in skin, silk, or velvet, but above all they must be pretty and light for the heat. Four pairs of stockings, ne cotton or thread, yellow like a fan is it frightening? I am sending you a separate list of these things in order to be more intelligible. The hairpins you will nd at Emersons Temple place. For the linen you will nd the best at Stearns I believe, all made. Now do not go and tire yourself trying to nd inexpensive things, it is not the moment to econonomize pennies. Take a car and make it as easy as possible, also with the least delay. I would like if it is humanly possibly that the box be here by early March you will send it by S. Franc as fast as possible. It seems to me that most of the things you can buy by postcard ???. I sent to Elise Perkins for some small silk blouses the other day telling her to send them by the Dept. It is possible that she has not yet done it in which case you can put them in the box. But all of this is for you alone and Russell to whom it will be necessary to speak of it, but make no allusion in your letters to Papa and Mama who certainly know it!, but I would not like for Papa to write to the family which he will certainly want to do and there are reasons for which we do not want to speak of it yet you understand do you not? That is why I fear that you will not be able to procure the box from Addie without exciting suspicions and perhaps causing her pain for not having told her, which I would not want for all the world. You will do what you can and if there if this danger occurs leave it for later and send me what you can of the list of things included. I have debts everywhere

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naturally and I no longer know how they will return but it is more than probable that it will be necessary for me to take money from the savings account. If you are willing you could ask Russell what formalities there will be to submit to a propos questions of money. Is it not necessary to sign papers etc.? Once I change my name. But enough talk of business for the moment and I am going to try to interest in another way. I begin then at the beginning so your legitimate curiosity might be satised. Our month in Peking you know already, how our host was good for us, especially for me from the beginning. After our return from the temple you remember we had passed several days at a temple, in the middle of our visit. There was never anything that was good enough for me, I truely dared not open my mouth for fear of letting fall a word which expressed the slightest desire our caprice. We were always together passing long hours tete a tete and think about it, that with all that I still suspected absolutely nothing. It is perhaps true that he had always been so good to me that the idea never entered my head that he seriously loved me and I became afraid some times when I thought that that the end should come so early. It came however and we parted as good friends who would see each other again in two or three days as he had promised me to come to Tientsin before our departure. Hope deceived because we never saw each other again! Think you that it has been six months since. It seems to me that it is an eternity and still we have another three months, because now that the river is frozen he cannot leave Peking. Finally we were so unhappy far from each other that he decided to surmount my scruples concerning our age and I gave myself to him in July. He asked Papa for my hand in September Two letters per month, sometimes fewer and all these horrors, especially the false alarms, are what I have as consolation. You can imagine what apprehensions I suered from the beginning. There is now no feeling of great danger and I am becoming braver. So much for us now for him. He is tall, strong enough, handsome man. His hair, his beard, and his mustache of a superb white, framing a completely charming psyiognomie. His forehead is very high, his eyes blue, full of life, surmounted by thick black eyebrows, and a beautiful nose. Voila a rough sketch of the person of your your future brother-in-law and I think I have exagerated nothing, in fact the contrary. He has a gay character, very talkative, and a heart as big as he is. A gentleman to the end of his ngernails in sum he has all the qualities that I ever dreamed of in my husmand. The diplomatic career is good and if he has remained for such a longtime in Peking it is because his health is hnot strong our only sadness where the climate is better for him than any other. His title of Excellence was given to him by the emperor William a dozen years ago for some grand service, and he was made a member of the private counsel at the same time. In Peking he is the doyen of the diplomatic core isnt it drole that your little sister will be doyenne. He is well loved and respected by all. He is not a millionaire, thank God! 14 December

57 Here I was interrupted by a visit and although I do not have much time today I am going to try to add a few words in order to be sure to not miss the courier. But I believe I have told you everything if not you can ask questions now, which is no longer naive! because I am more free to respond. I was more angry at myself than at you a propos my letters! I must have had my head turned, it seems to me that everything I wrote is sti and hard and yet I have never been less so. I am so happy! And when I think that everyone is going to complain to me he is so old to hear them say that seems to me so aburd. It is true that he is 56 and I will be only 24 in May but there are many younger men who are older at heart. I cannot see myself unhappy at his side, and I can no longer nd words to express the pride I feel in my love when I think that he really wanted me, so small, and that I could perhaps give him a little of the happiness that he gives me. He is alone in the world, except for two married nieces, so there is no one to dispute my right. But I dare not launch into this endless chapter and end up fatiguing you. He writes and speaks English perfectly but with a strong accent, but I have already begun my German lessons and I am quite astonihed to see how easily it comes to me. You will doutless make fun of my letters, that is to say the the pages here and there written in German: It is all the same that I arrive there because it will be necessary for me to be quite stupid with such a master! His nickname is Max! Is that not drole? We will have two number ourselves one and two. Finally embrace me and tell me that you are content to have such a charming brother in law even though he is Prussian. I have scarcely need to add that I await your response with impatience and to know if you can run some errands for me. And above all, not a word to anyone except Russell who will respect my secret as well as you, I am sure. One more kiss and I leave you. a ` toi Hl`ne ee

17 December
Leg. des Etats Unis Soul e le 17 dc / 91 e Ch`re Amy e Je vais tacher de grioner encore quelques lignes mais jai la main tr`s fatigue et e e un pouce foul qui me fait assez mal apr`s avoir crite et address une cinquantaine e e e e

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CHAPTER 3. 1891

dinvitations pour une rception pour le 24 dc., sans compter plusieurs lettres. Le e e courrier part demain, toujours un grand moment. la moitie arriv aujourdhui, ne e nous a rien apport de toi ni dAddie. La second moiti narrivera que ce soir donc e e nous pouvons encore esprer. Mais Papa a eu un lettre aujourdhui qui nous a tout ` e a fait consterns et beaucoup amuse. Tu ne devinerais jamais donc voici. Le Gnral e e e e le Gendre crit demandant ma main en marriage pour M. Collin de Plancy 16 Charg e e dAairs au Japon!! Il a t ici pendant quelques temps comme commissaire qui ee est le poste Francais ici, mais il a t remplac en mois de juin dernier. Tr`s gentil ee e e garon avec une ressemblance extraordinaire ` Augustine, en grande il a toujours t c a ee tr`s aimable pour moi. Je ne lai tout de mme pas vu plus de dix fois je suppose et e e je nen reviens pas. Cest atteur et je suis fche de lui causer de la peine. mais je a suis satisfaite! Je grille dimpatience de recevoir ta rponse et jai une peur atroce que ma lettre e ne touche en de mauvais mains. Le courier a dj` t vol plusieurs fois cet automne. eaee e Enn il faut courir le risque. Mais comme quand on commence il ny a toujours plus dune n jai pens ` plusieurs choses encore qui me manquant. Me voila en tulle et ea quelque sp`ce de eurs blanches. Si tu men envoies prends tout simplement un tout e e petit bouquet pour les cheveux et un petit pour le corsage. Fleurs dorangers car il tient beaucoup aux vieilles coutumes je crois aussi une petite bo dpingles en acier te e 17 Kirby & Beard Il est horriblement dicile et se conna fort bien en toute choses. t Si tu pouvais voir les toes quil ma envoyes! Cest un vrai plaisir que de se faire e e faire des robes. Et je ne sais vraiment pas ce que je ferais sans cela. Je te les dcrirai e un autre jour, avec des chantillons. Surtout ne te tourments pas pour menvoyer e un cadeau. Je tassure, Mams, que si tu me fais toutes ces commissions je ten serai toujours oblige et il me donne tant de choses livres, bibelots, bijoux, tos je e e e ne puis te le dire, la liste est tellement longue. Jusqu` ses habits! Lautre jour il ma a donn un superbe manteau de sea otter quil prtend tre trop petit pour lui. e e e A propos ce nest pas Suzanne Bancroft qui a fait sensation ` Pking mais a e Marion Langdon une toute autre personne mais il faut vraiment que je nisse. Ne me fais pas attendre trop longuetemps ce nest que pour quelques lignes. Amitis a e tous. Mille baisers. a ` toi Hl`ne ee

16 V. Collin de Plancy had been the French Consul in Seoul (1887-1890) and was currently French Charg dAairs in Japan. He would later return to Seoul as both Charg and Consul General from e e 1895-1900. 17 Kirby, Beard, & Co. was a specialty shop at 5 rue Auber in Paris, presumably with a branch in Boston.

59 United States Legation Seoul 17 Dec 91 Dear Amy I am going to try to scribble a few lines more but my hand is very tired and my sprained thumb is causing me pain after having written and addressed fty or so invitqation for a reception on Deceumber 24, not counting several letters. The mail leaves tomorrow, always a big moment. Half arrived today, brought us no news of you or Addie. The second half will not arrive until this evening so we still hope. But Papa received a letter today that dismayed and amused us. You would never guess so here it is, General le Gendre wrote asking my hand in marriage for M. Collin de Plancy. Charg dAairs in Japan! He has been here for some time as e commisaire, the French position here, but he was replaced last June. A very nice young man with an extraordinary resemblance to Augustine, generally he has always been friendly to me. I have only seen him ten times and I suppose that I will not see him again. It is attering and I am unhappy to cause him pain, but I am satised! I long impatiently to receive your reply and I am terribly afraid of my letter nding its way into the wrong hands. The mail has already been stolen several times this autumn. Finally it is necessary to run the risk. But nally when one begins it never ends that I think of several things more that I need. Here I am in lace and some sort of white owers. If you send me some take simply a little bouquet for my hair and a small one for the corsage. Orange owers since they go well with old costumes. I believe also a little box of steel pins from Kirby & Beard it is horribly dicult and they know everything well. If you could see the stu that he has sent me! It is a real pleasure to have dresses made. And I truely do not know what I would do without it. I will describe them to you another day, with the samples. Above all, do not torment yourself about sending me a present. I assure you, Mams, that if you help me with these errands I will forever be in your debt and he gives me so many things books, trinkets, jewelry, fabric I cannot tell you, the list is so long. Up to his clothes! The other day he gave me a superb coat of sea otter which he pretended was too small for him. A propos it was not Suzanne Bancroft who made a sensation at Peking but Marion Langdon a completely dierent person but I really must nish. Do not make me wait too long even it is for only a few lines. Love to all. A thousand kisses. a ` toi Hl`ne ee

60 No 18 Soul e

CHAPTER 3. 1891 Le 17 dcembre e

Ch`re Amy, e Papa est venu me demander mes lettres pour le courrier et cinq minutes apr`s e le domestique ma apport la tienne du elle nest pas date mais il y a No 11 e e dans le coin crite de Groton. Je crois pouvoir encore attrapper le courrier ce e soir et mempresse de te remercier de cette mme lettre et de ce quelle contient. e Tu connais toute lhistoire maintenant ce qui ne me laisse plus rien ` dire. Je ne a puis assez regretter ma sottise davoir cris comme je lai fais ` Mme Winthrop, mais e a comme jai dis hier jai du avoir la tte tourne et ne pensais pas aux consquence e e e de ce que jcrivais. Tu ne dois pas te laisser croire que je me suis laisse entra e e ner par tant de gteries sans penser au srieux de la question. Non, mille fois non. Je a e laime sinc`rement et de tout coeur et tu serais la premi`re ` le comprendre si tu le e e a connaissais comme tu le fera je lesp`re un de ces jours. Cest toujours une question e srieuse et peut tre plus encore en ce cas-ci car il est non seulement beaucoup plus e e a ge que moi mais sa sant est des plus dlicate. Il soure de lasthme ce qui le prive e e de beaucoup de plaisirs mme des plus simple. Il me la represent lui-mme bien des e e e fois et se reproche de mavoir pris ma jeunesse. Je sais ce que le monde va dire et il se trouvera bien des mauvais langues. Et bien je ne puis que rpter ce que jai dj` dis ce que je dirai toujours, quen e e ea dpit de tout la vie aupr`s de lui me semble plus belle que toute autre quon pt e e u morir. Je ne sais vraiment comment te dire tout cela je ne pourrai jamais rendre justice ` sa bont de coeur et beaut de caract`re et en ce moment je ne veux pas a e e e dire particuli`rement pour moi mais pour tout le monde. e Cela ma tellement frapp au commencement que je nai pu mempcher de laimer. e e Mais tu sais ce que cest daimer et dtre aimer je ne puis rien tapprendre sur ce e compte la seulement je ne veux pas que tu pense comme le vulgaire du monde. Tu en diras de tout ceci apr`s ce que tu voudras ou pourras bien de dire. Je repette de e ne pouvoir crire ` Addie en mme temps mais je ne le puis pas encore. Tu peux tre e a e e sre que ce sera au plus tt possible. u o Tu arrangeras cela autrement vous pourrez toujours changer mes lettres si vous e voulez, seulement je prfrai peuttre si elle les lisait chez toi ou que tu les lui lise. ee e Jean est une critique sv`re et jai vraiment honte de mon franais. Je vais my e e c mettre un des ces jours mais en ce moment je nai pas un minute ` perdre. Il y a a tant ` faire et jai besoin de tant de choses. Non seulment parcequil est dicile mais a aussi ` cause de la position ocielle que jaurais ` remplir. Tu comprendras tout a a cela. Maintenant embrassons nous encore une fois. Enchant des bonnes nouvelles e que tu nous donnes de ta sant. Nos sperons quelles coninuerons. Aussi dapprendre e e quAug. est tout ` fait gurit de son entorse. a e

61 Embrasses les mioches et mille baisers pour toi. Hl`ne ee

No 18

17 December Soul e

Papa just came to ask for my letters for the mail in ve minutes, after the servant brought me yours of it is not dated but there is a number 11 in the corner written in Groton. I believe I will be still able to catch the mail this evening and I am hastening to thank you for this same letter and for what it contains. You know the entire history now which leaves me nothing to say. I cannot regret enough my stupidity to have written as I did to Mrs Winthrop, but as I said yesterday I must have had my head turned and I was not thinking of the consequences of what I was writing. You should not let yourself believe that I let myself submit to such indulgences without seriously considering the results. No, a thousand times no. I love him with all my heart and you would be the rst to understand if you knew him as I hope you will one of these days. It is always a serious question and perhaps more still in this case because he is not also much older than I but his health is more delicate. He suers from asthma, which deprives him of many pleasures, even the most simple. He has pointed this out himself to me many time and he reproaches himself for having taken my youth. I know what the world is going to say and he will encounter unkind tongues. Well, I can but repeat what I have already said what I will always say, that in spite of everything life with him seems to me more beautiful than any other that one could oer to me. I truly do not know how to tell you everything, I will never be able to do justice to his goodness of heart and beautiful character and at this moment I do not want to say this particularly for me but for the entire world. That so struck me at the beginning that I was not able to prevent myself from loving him. But you know what it is to love and be loved I cannot teach you anything on that count only I do not want you to think as the vulgar do. You will speak of all of this as you wish or will be able to. I repeat I was not able to write to Addie at the same time and I still cannot. You can be sure that will be as soon as possible. You will arrange it otherwise you can always exchange my letters if you wish, only I prefer perhaps if she reads them at your house or you read them to her. Jean is a severe critic and I am truly shamed by my French. I am going to devote myself to it one of these days, but at this time I do not have a minute to lose. There is so much to do and I need so many things. Not only because it is dicult but also

62

CHAPTER 3. 1891

because of the ocial position I have to ll. You will understand all of that. Now let us embrace once more. Enchanted by the good news that you give of your health. We hope that it will continue. Also to learn that Aug. is completely cured of his sprain. Embrace the little ones and a thousand kisses for you. Helen

25 December
Soul e Le 25 dc. e /91

No 19

Ch`re Amy, je ne pensais pas tcrire par ce courrier car jai tout dautre lettres e e a ` expdier et tu dois en avoir assez avec ce que je taie cris la semaine derni`re e e e mais il faut que je verse un peu de trop plein de mon plaisir et de mon bonheur dans ton coeur sympathique car je suis dj` sre quil lest. En un mot cest pour te ea u dcrire mon cadeau de nol mes cadeaux je devrais dire comme tu en raolerais e e et en vrit je me trouve tr`s goiste de te faire venir leau ` la bouche sans que tu e e e e a puisses jouir de ces belles choses. Figure toi un manteau demi-long chinois de soie blue fonce, brode dor ` grands ramages, doubl de renard bleue doux! dlicieux! e e a e e Un long manteau me dpassant les genoux denvirons un pied, de la mme forme, e e a en zibeline superbe fonce dune faible nuance rougetre. Je naime pas la zibeline e ordinairement mais celle-ci est si belle que je ne puis pas men empcher. Le revers e est dun satin uni, esp`ce de bleu gobelin. On porte a lenvers ou ` lendroit comme e a on veut. Attends je nai pas ni. Un cran contenant un charmant petit collier de e toutes petites rubis, saphires, et perles alternativement faisant une esp`ce de pendant e en ce guise une petite chainette en or rattachant les pierres les unes aux autre. Cest j??? et tout ` fait gentil. Le bracelet a un diamant au lieu de la perle. les trois pierres a les bouts qui se croisent nis dun petit tr`ie en perles. Le tout dans une superbe e boite en maroccain noir, avec serrure et quatre coins un mtal argent cisel et son e e e chire en cuir rouje et bleu (inlaid) qui sera mon chire aussi un de ce jours. Elle est double de satin rouge (grenat). Eh bien quen dis tu? Moi jen ai la tte toute e e a ` lenvers et je me pince pour savoir si cest bien moi. A Maman il a envoy deux e vases en cloisonn moderne, pas grands mais beaux et un manteau de fourrurers e une esp`ce dcureuil je crois, bien fonc. A Papa un vieux bronze dor en deux e e e e pi`ces fort jolie. e

63 Mais voil` que je recommence mon long discours de lautre jour, sans te remercier a de ta bonne lettre et des livres que tu nous as envoye. La rception dhier soir sest e e passe tant bien que mal. Papa en est tout ` fait fatigu et ne va pas bien. Cette e a e grippe est assommante. Ton No 12 (16 nov) est arriv aujourdhhui. Mille fois merci, aussi ` Russell pour e a la sienne. Baisers aux mioches et pour toi aussi. Hl`ne ee Je ne suis pas encore dcid si je parlerai ` Addie de mon cadeau, en tout les cas e e a je ne lui dirai que dun des manteaux et de ceux au parents. Le Ministre Jap. ma donn un assez joli ventail en forme dcran. Cest assez e e e intressant de collectionner des souvenirs de tout le monde par ci par l`, surtout sils e a sont jolis. Merci davoir envoy largenterie. e

No 19

Seoul 25 Dec. /91

Dear Amy, I was not thinking of writing you by this mail because I had all the other letters to expedite and you should have enough with what I wrote you laswt week but I need to pour a little more fully of my pleasure and happiness in your sympathetic heart because I am already sure of it. In a word it is to describe to you my Christmas present presents I should say as you will dote on them and in truth I nd myslef very selsh to make your mouth water without letting you play with these beautiful things. Picture a half length Chinese coat of deep blue silk, bordered in gold owers, lined with blue fox sweet! delicious! A long coat extending past my knees by a foot, of the same form, sable superb dark with a faint reddish nuance. Ordinarily I do not like sable but this is so beautiful that I cannot prevent myself from doing so. The reverse is of smooth satin, a sort of blue tapistry. One wears it reversed or where one wants. Wait, I have not nished A screen containing a charming little necklace of tiny rubys, saphires, and pearls alternatively makes a sort of pendant in which case a small golden chain attaches the stones to each other. It is ???? and very nice. The bracelet has a diamand in lieue of a pearl. The three stones which cross at the ends nish in a little shamrock of pearls. The entire piece in a superb black maroccan box, with bolt and four corners of chisiled silver and its number in red leather and blue (inlaid) which will be my number also one of these days. It is lined in dark red satin. Well, what do you say? Me, I am completely bowled over and I pinch myself to know if it is really me. He sent to

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CHAPTER 3. 1891

Maman two modern cloisonne vases, not large but beautiful and a fur coat some kind of squirrel, I believe, quite deep. To Papa, and old gilded bronze in two pieces, very pretty. But I begin again my long discourse of the other day, without thanking you for the good letter and the books that you have sent. The reception of yesterday evening passed as well as could be hoped. Papa is quite fatigued and is not well. His cold is oppressive. Your number 12 (16 Nov) arrived today. A thousand thanks, also to Russell for his. Kisses to the little ones and for you also. Helen I have not yet decided if I will speak to Addie of my gift, in any case I will only tell her of one of the coats and of those two my parents. The Japanese minister gave me a pretty enough fan in the form of a screen. It is interesting enough to collect souvenirs from everyone everywhere, especially if they are pretty. Thanks for sending the silver.

Chapter 4 1892
6 January
No 20 Chemulpo Jan. 6th 92

Ch`re Amy, e Jai des remords de lavoir envoy une telle liste de choses ` faire pour moi, et je e a craignes que tu ne vas tre trop consciencieuse en leur xcution. Jesp`re tout de e e e e mme que tu auras trouv le plus important et que tu ne te tourmenteras pas du rest. e e Jesp`re aussi que la nouvelle anne vous a apport de meillieures choses qu` vous. e e e a Dans ma derni`re je crois dj` avoir parl de la sant de Papa comme tant des plus e ea e e e faible ` cause de cette inuenza. Il ne va gu`re mieux et le docteur exige beaucoup a e de soins et de tranquillet, deux choses presque impossible ` lui donner. Il persiste e a dans son travail et justement maintenant il a toutes esp`ces de tourments ` propos e a de counseil etc. etc. Il tousse pas mal et ne sont presque pas de son petit bureau toujours fatigu et ple, il me fait vraiment peur quelquefois. Je ne sais pas, pettre e a ue que je vois tout cela un peu en noir mais certes cet hiver nest pas gai! Je suis chez Mme Johnston pour une semaine et tr`s ` contre coeur mais il a fallu que je vienne e a pour en nir; elle me tourmenter depuis si longtemps, mais je suis dans des transes tout le temps ` propos de Papa et je ne sais jamais ce que Maman va le conseiller ` a a faire. Je me demande quelquefois si il y a beaucoup denfants avec des m`res comme e le ntre. o Jai des nouvelles de Pking ` peu pr`s une fois par mois maintenant heureusee a e ment elles sont assez bonnes. Tu vois je ne suis gu`re de bonne humeur aujourdhui e Pardonnes moi mais jai t beaucoup tourmente derni`rement et ennuye de quesee e e e tions impertinentes comme je les appelles. Il ny a rien qui magace comme cela et 65

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CHAPTER 4. 1892

des personnes qui veulent toujours savoir ce qui ne les regarde pas. Je ne pense pas crire ` Addie par ce courier - cela mest assez dicile, ne poue a vant pas parler des choses qui me tiennent le plus aux coeur. Encore une fois soignes toi et ne te tourmentes pas trop des dtails car comme les choses sont maintenant e ! Mille baisers, Hl`ne ee Arrive avant hier je pense retourner dimanche ou lundi. e 8 jan. Nouvelles de pappa bonnes. il touse moins mais est encore faible. H.M.H.

No 20

Chemulpo Jan. 6th 92

Dear Amy, I am remorseful for having sent you such a list of things to do for me, I fear that you will be too conscientious in their execution. Even so I hope that you will have found the most important and that you will not torment yourself regarding the rest. I hope also that the new year brings all the best to you. In my last I believe I have already sponken of the Papas health as being the weakest because of this inuenza. He is scarcely any better and the Doctor insists on a great deal of care and tranquility, two things almost impossible to give him. He persists in his work and just now he has all sorts of torments a propos the council, etc. etc. He coughs a lot and he is almost never at his little desk always tired and pale he really scares me sometimes. I dont know, perhaps I see all that a little two blackly but certainly this winter is not gay! I am reluctantly at Mrs Johnstons for a week but I had to comme to nish it; it had tormented me for such a long time, but I am anxious all the time a propos Papa and I never what Mama is going to council him to do. I sometimes wonder if there are many childre with mothers such as ours. I have news from Peking about once a month now happily it is good enough. You see that I am scarcely in good humor Pardon me but I am much tormented recently and saddened by impertinant questions as I call them. There is nothing that bothers me like that and people who always want to know what does not regard them.

67 I am not thinking of writing to Addie by this mail that is dicult enough without being able to talk of things that are closest to my heart. Once more, take care of yourself and do not torment yourself regarding the details because of the way things are now. A thousand kisses, Helen Arrived yesterday and I think I will return Sunday or Monday. 8 Jan. News of Papa good. he coughs less but is still frail. H.M.H.

17 January
No 21 Sul o le 17 janv. 92

Ch`re Amy, e Seulement quelques lignes ` le hte pour te remercier du joli petit mouchoir que a a jai reus de toi aujourdhui. Il va ` merveille avec une robe de cotonnade bleue et c a blanche que je me suis fais faire pour lt prochain donc il vient tr`s ` propos. Les ee e a gants de Mme Gray sont aussi arrivs aujourdhui. Elle est vraiment bien bonne de e penser ` moi et je suis bien contente de les avoir comme tu peux croire. Jai donn a e les deux prs ` Maman qui te remerciera sans doute elle mme. Jai eu une tr`s gentille a e e petite pingle dElise or cela rien mais je me sens tr`s riche. Avant de loublier envoies e e moi si tu peux une photographie de toimme, Russell et des mioches je nen ai e jamais eu des derniers car il ne men reste pas une seul. On me les a toutes voles e tin types groupes-famille tout et je me sens tout ` fait seule sans amis autour a de moi. Mme Johnston voulait absoluement les voir et je les ai fait envoyer par le courrier. Il a t vol en route et me voil` pauvre. Jai fais mon possible pour les ee e a recouvrer mais je ne pense jamais les revoir. Cela mest vraiment une grande perte car jen avais de trs intressante et que je ne puis pas remplacer. e e Papa va beaucoup mieux presque bien mais il nose pas sortir par ce temps, qui bien que beau pour la saison, est pourtant trop froid pour lui. Jcris depuis cinq e heures une heure pour ??? et je nai pas encore ni. Le courier part demain de grand matin. Adieu donc pour aujourdhui. Mes souliers vernis sont arrivs ` bon e a port il y a quelque jours. Ils vont passablement.

68 Mille baisers

CHAPTER 4. 1892

Hl`ne ee As tu donns le jupon a Mme. G.? Je txpdies la brocart. e e e Je nai rien encore dAug. a ` propos de largenterie. a-t-elle t expdie? ee e

No 21

Seoul Jan. 17 92

Dear Amy, Just a few hasty lines to thank you for the pretty little handkerchief that I received from you today. It goes marvelously well with a blue and white cotton fabric that I am having made for next summer so it is very timely. The gloves from Mrs Gray also arrived today and I am very happy to have them as you can believe. I gave the two pairs to Mama who without doubt will thank you for them herself. I have had a very nice little pin from Elise, without much value but I feel very rich. Before you forget send me a photograph of yourself, Russell, and the little ones I never had any of the last ones because I no longer have a single one. All of them have been stolen family tintypes and I feel quite alone without friends surrounding me. Mrs Johnston really wanted to see them and I mailed them to her. The mail was stolen en route and here am I poor. I did everything possible to recover them but I think I will never see them again. It is truly an awful loss because I had many very interesting pictures and I cannot replace them. Papa is much better almost well but he dares not go out in this weather, even though it is good for the season, it is perhaps too cold for him. I have been writing for ve hours an hour for ??? and I have not yet nished. The mail leaves tomorrow late morning. Goodby then for today. My varnished shoes safely arrived several days ago. They are passable. A thousand kisses. Helen Have you given the dress to Mrs G.? I am expediting the brocade. I have nothing yet from Aug. As for the silverware, has it been expedited?

69

30 January
Letter dated only January, but rst postmark is 30 January. Seoul, Corea January

My dearest Amy If I could only see you walk into my room how innitely delighted I should be to see you & the children, but as it is I must make the best of it, thinking of you as growing stronger & the littles ones in full merriment and mischief. I owe you many thanks for the two pairs of gloves you sent me I needed them much, they are precisely the colours I should have selected & t me well. Ive not been out of the house for a month until the last two days when Papa insisted upon my taking a walk & I feel much better for it. My rheumatism tries me sorely. To hold a pen at times seems almost impossible. Maxima is ever ready to take hers in hand, & she writes unceasingly & has told you that Papa had an attack of inuenza which housed him for a month or more. The last two days he has felt much better. How is Addie? Do ask her to write me & tell me how John and the baby are and dont forget to give me the ondits1 of your own little bairns. I have laughed more than I can tell you of their ondits. I cant hold my pen the pain in my wrist and ngers is most trying. You must make allowance for it under the circumstances. With kindest remembrances to Mrs Gray & Miss Gray2 and many kisses for the children & write me soon. Your letters are always interesting and most welcome. Love ever your fond mother who longs to see you. J. L. Heard

10 February
Seoul, Febry 10 1892 Dear Amy, Max is engaged to von Brandt! I dont know whether she has told you this herself, but I have kept it secret a long time at his request and tell now because it will become well known before a great while & my chief reasons for not speaking of it
1 2

gossip, scuttlebut Either Elizabeth Chipman (Bessie) Gray or Harriet Gray

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CHAPTER 4. 1892

have ceased to exist. You will recollect writing to me to ask if anything of this kind was contemplated, & I told you so far as I knew, nothing had taken place. A very few weeks afterwords. However Max in answer to some remark of mine went & got a letter of him to me in which he speaks of his love for her & asks for her hand. She had had it a few days and had been waiting an oppy to speak of it. She was very much mu for her. I told her I only cared for what was for her happiness, & pointed e out the dierence of age, he 56 and she 23, but she said she had thought of all this and didnt care. She supposed they wd have put out of talk abt. it, but she was very much attached to him, & wanted me to say yes. As that is the only objection I could have seriously and she was so very determined & had made up her own mind so denitely, of course there was nothing to be said. He is a ne fellow and but for the dierence in age I think will make her an excellent husband. He said he could not come immediately , & suggested that nothing should be said about it till he could to avoid all the talk that wd be inevitable, & as I was equally disposed to take time, I was glad to consent to silence. I thought it would give Max an oppy to think it over more seriously & I was as anxious as he to avoid unnecessary talk. In the troubled state of China it was impossible for him to leave his post, & in winter the river is frozen & one cannot get out. He will probably come down here in Mch or April, & not improbably the marriage will take place then, though nothing has been said about that yet. Max is as much in love as if her anc were 30, & he seems to be the same. Their e letters are constant & very voluminous. You must keep all this strictly to yourself and not let Max know I hve told you. Your answer to this must be in a separate piece of paper & included in another which I can show. My ngers are so cold, I can hardly hold a pen & I fear you will not be able to read this. Certainly not without diculty. Thursday night before last 2o below zero Fahr. & 2 nights before 4o below, & a scarcity of coal. Yours ever with love to Russell & kisses to the bambins. AH One reason I did not tell you before was that you might say I did not know with a clear consciounce if you were questioned as no doubt you would be . For the same reason that moved you to write to me asking the question.

13 February
Seoul, Febry 13 1892

71

Dear Amy, It has been a great pain to me that I have not been able to recognize my relation to the small Augustine, whom I love with all my heart, and I enclose herein a cheque for $25. which please employ in procuring for him a cup, or such other reminder of me as you think best. A silver cup is most appropriate, it seems to me. Ask Russell not to present my cheque for a fortnight or so, so as to insure my remittance has reached the bank. We have beautiful spring like weather for two days past. The snow is melting fast. And the streets are in a state! Je ne vous dis que ca! Love to all from all. The mail goes out unexpectedly this P.M. Yoursever, A.H.

19 February
Seoul, Corea February 19th

My darling Amy I should have answered your letter sooner & to tell you how delighted I was to hear that you were regaining in strength & the little tribe were happy & well. Maxima is like Papa never happier than when he takes pen in hand at which I wonder as my rheumatism makes it impossible for me to hold my pen. I charged Maxima to thank you for thinking of me & sending the gloves they t me well. The ngers are a little short, but it is I suppose the result of my swollen hands. Papa since the last few days is quite himself again, gaining in strength at which I wonder for we have had two severe snow storms. Maxima is absorbed in her trousseau, working hard, making her underclothes & dresses with the aid of a tailor who follows her instructions. She is at it the live long day & evening & I will say she succeeds wonderfully well. There are no shops here but she writes to a friend in Shanghai who sends her samples & in that way she orders what she needs. Dont forget that you are not to allude to Maximas marriage. It is not announced & she does not wish to have it known. I wnated you to know it you are in fact the only one who does except Papa & myself. With much love from all of us ever.

72 Yrs aectionately, J.L.H.

CHAPTER 4. 1892

11 March
24 Seoul le 11 mars 92

Ch`re Amy, Merci, merci mille fois de ta bonne petite lettre du 2627 Jan. qui e ma fait beaucoup beaucoup de plaisir. Javais si peur que tu me sois dsappointe! e e e Maintenant je ne puis quesprer que le jour ne sera pas trop iloign [?] ou je pourrai e vous prsenter lun ` lautre et que tu pourras en toute vrit lui serrer les mains. e a e e Mais ` propos du secret voici pourquoi. Il a demand ` Papa de ne pas en parler a e a avant quil ne vienne au printemps, ` qui que ce soit. Il a une raison, mai je ne puis te a la dire en ce moment et si je fais mal en gardant le silence envers Jean et Addie jen suis tr`s fache et ne le fais, comme tu peux bien croire, que tr`s ` contrecoeur. Ce e e e a nest en vrit que la ncessit qui ma ddi la langue envers toi plutt qu` elle, si e e e e e e o a tu peux me pardonner un tel aveu, et jai cru que tu le comprendrai. Mais comme tu dis mes lettres soit un peu incohrentes et je ne me suis peuttre pas bien expliqu. e e e Tu peu tre bien sre que jcrirai ` Addie au plus tt possible et en attendant je e u e a o te remercie de ta rserve envers elle car je sais que ce doit tre dicile. Je suis tr`s e e e content que tu ne lui ai pas demand la caisse pour moi, il ma sembl apr`s le dpart e e e e de ma lettre que jen avais demand trop. e Les jours passent, lun apr` lautre sans changement. Le temps est areux, les e courriers narrivent pas et Papa et moi avons t sourants depuis plusieurs semaines. ee Lui avec sa diarrhe moi dindigestion. Je suis maigre ` faire peur mais jai trop ` e a a faire pour y penser. Les courriers sont dsesperants et je suis quelque-fois, mme bien e e souvent, 5 et 6 semaines sans nouvelles de Pking. Cest ` en devenir folle quelquefois. e a Je suis bien contente que les paquets soient arrivs en bon tat. Et jsp`re que e e e e la grande envelope bleue, avec le brocard et mon portrait fera de mme. e
Il est mauvais cest ` dire pas juste mais le meillieur que jai eu a ce moment. a

Gardes-les. Tu as raison, mes lettres sont incohrentes. Mais que veux tu? en ce moment e mme je suis si exit par ta lettre que je nai pas une ide en tte et il faut pourtant e e e e que jcrire car le courier part ce soir ou dans dix jours. Remercie Russell de son e petit mot que jtudierai ` tte repose. Je lui crirai. Merci de tout mille fois. Tu e a e e e es bien bonne. En attendant ne te tourmentes pas du reste certes non que nous nallons pas nous marier en cachette, mais pour le moment je ne puis rien dire. Je

73 tai demandde ne pas en parler ` Papa car je ne lui as pas dit que je lcrirai ` ce e a e a sujet. Il est tr`s impatient de lcrire ` la famille et ce serait assez pour lenammer. e e a Ne mappelles pas Hl`ne plus quauparavant. Au contraire je tiens plus que jamais ee maintenant ` mon nom de garon. Tu peux faire la distinction en lappelant Brandt, a c ce qui je crois sera en somme le meilleur moyen. Mille baisers H.M.H.

Papa te prie de faire parvenir cette lettre (ci-inclu) au Dr. Hermann [?]. Il est trop fatigu pour tcrire lui-mme. e e e M. Jai cris ` Addie le 5 le 26 dcembre le 18 janvier le 7 fvrier. Je nai rien e a e e e ee reu delle dupuis le 22 novembre. Est-elle fache? crois tu ou a-t-elle t malade? c

24

Seoul 11 March 92

Dear Amy, Thank you, thank you a thousand times for your good little letter of 2627 Jan. which gave me great pleasure. I was so afraid that you would be disappointed with me. Now I can only hope that the day will not be to far where I will be able to present you to each other and you will be able truely to shake hands. But a propos the secret, here is why. He asked Papa to not speak of it before he comes in the spring, to anyone. He has a reason, but I cannot explain it at this time and if I do wrong in guarding the silence towards John and Addie, I am very angry and I do it, as you can well believe, very unwillingly. It is in truth only necessity which has directed my words towards you rather than her, if you can pardon me for saying so, and I believe that you will understand, but as you say my letters are a little incoherent and I have not well explained myself. You can be quite sure that I will will write Addie as soon as possible while waiting to thank you for your reserve towards her because I know that it must be dicult. I am very content that you have not asked her for the chest for me, it seemed to me after the departure of my letter that I was asking for too much. The days pass, one after another without change. The weather is awful, the mail does not arrive and Pappa and I have been suering for several weeks. He with diarrhea and I with indigestion. I am frightningly thin but I have to much to do to think about it. The mail is appaling and I am sometimes, even often, 5 or 6 weeks without news from Peking. It is sometimes enough to go crazy.

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CHAPTER 4. 1892

I am well content that the packages arrived in good shape. And I hope that the large blue envelope, with the brocade and my portrait will be the same. It is bad that is to say not good but the best that I had at the time. Keep them. You are right, my letters are incoherent. But what do you want? Even at this moment I am so excited by your letter that I have no idea in mind and perhaps I must write since the mail leaves tonight or in ten days. Thank Russell for his note which I will study at leisure. I will write him. Thanks for everything a thousand times. Your are very good. While waiting do not torment yourself with the rest. Certainly we are not going to marry in secret, but for the moment I can say nothing. I asked you to not talk of this with Papa because I have not told him that I would write you on this subject. He is very impatient to write it to the family and it would be enough to iname him. Dont call me Hl`ne ee more than before. On the contrary, I hold more than ever to my boys name. You can make the distinction by calling him Brandt, which I believe will be the best means when all is said and done. A thousand kisses H.M. H.

Papa asks you to forward the enclosed letters to Dr. Hermann. He is too fatigued to write you himself. M. I wrote to Addie on the 5th the 26th of December the 18th of January the 7th of February. I have received nothing from her since the 22nd of November. Is she angry? Do you believe or has she been sick?

10 July
Shanghai th 5:45 a.m. Sunday, July 10

Dear Papa, I am momentarily expecting Mrs Lows boy to call for me & scribble o a few lines while waiting to tell you of my safe arrival, so that I may send it by rst steamer. We had a smooth passage but very foggy, which accounts for delay. We should have been

75 in yesterday at noon, instead of which we put in at 11:30p.m. I went to bed & was quite disgusted when 15 minutes after Mrs Ls boy appeared. I told him to return this morning at six. It is hot but not unbearable & the breeze is cool. The Captain has been kind & attentive but the time slows as you can imagine. It seems at least a week since I left you. How are you & Mama? Take good care of yourself & dont run about too much in the hot sun & dont worry about me. With love & kisses to both Yrs H.M.H. 20 Foochow Rd. Dear Papa, I nd that the mail does not close until tomorrow, so I have time to add a few lines. Mr. Low came himself to meet me this morning & both he & Mrs Low have been most warm & kind in their welcome. They had already heard rumors of my engagement to Brandt & were therefore not surprised, but Mrs. L. seems disposed to help me with what I have to do & we have been talking chions a good deal. She says that the tailors can make perfectly after a pattern without trying on. So please send me Mammas red waist trimming with black guipure3 , which ts her best, I think, by return mail. It will fold into small compass without injury & will come safely in a thick paper. Then give me the measure in inches from the waist to bottom of the shirt in front & behind also around hips over petticoat not dress. I should have brought them with me but that I did not think it possible to do without trying one. I have an invitation from Mme Vissire(French Consul Generals wife) for the e evening of the 14th. This afternoon we drive out to a Mrs Flotheow to tea. She is a very nice German I believe. I begin work tomorrow but the dentist cannot see me before Wednesday he kept his time for me last week & is now engaged. Mr. Lamsonmainsoupirant is here & anxious to see me. He asked Mr. Low condentially & with much interest if it were true that I was engaged & would he please let him know if he could. The weather looks uncertain & is not at all oppressive tho very damp. One or two people are dining here to meet me on Wednesday, so altogether I am petted & quite comfortable. Dont forget Mammas dress. Ever atly H.M.H.

rough lace

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CHAPTER 4. 1892

13 July
Shanghai July 13th

Dear Papa, I am just back from my rst scance at the dentists, and I am sorry to say the e outlook is not attractive. My teeth are worse than I thought which is saying a good deal. Twenty three cavities! nineteen of which are in the upper jaw alone, while two of them are so bad that they will require treatment before they can be lled. By going every day I hope to get through in a fortnight. I took the typewriter back this morning. There was nothing to pay on it. I have not yet seen about your underclothes but will try to do it tomorrow. Mrs Denneys amah4 has just (amonthago) been engaged by Mrs Jordan who has taken her to England & expects to keep her a year or two. But Mrs. Low says she knows of another good one. She is to come to see me. I looked about for the Kings present & found nothing except some imitation L`ous vases. The large ones Mrs Low chose are $200 & I should e think more than you need give. They are not rst rate without being very ordinary. They had others rather smaller for $100., $120. & 80. I prefered the ones of a $100. & 80. about 16 inches high, perhaps a little more. The choice is very limited and most of the things are not very nice. It is not unbearably hot, much less so than at Chefoo. I am being fed up people call. & I am having a very good time of it & enjoy the shopping hugely, after so long a holiday. Mr. Walter very kindly brought down the news from Chefoo that I was engaged to Mr. von Brandt, so that it has become town talk & I hardly dare put my nose out of the door. I saw Mr. Morse yesterday who inquired after you, as do many others. I hope you are taking care of yourself & that Mama is also well. With love & kisses to both. Ever Aectionately H.M.H.

4 The dictionary denes an amah as an East Indian nurse or female servant, but in Maxs letters it seems to mean simply a female servant. A friend who grew up in Pakiston says the term can also mean a nanny.

77

17 July
Peking July 17th 1892.

My Dear Heard, Many thanks for your kind note of the 14th last and the good news it contained about yourself and Mrs Heard. I also am without news from Max but hope to hear from her before I am much older. The thought of depriving you and Mrs. Heard of her companionship is the only drop of bitterness in ??? without that perfect happiness. Here everybody is delighted at the thought of having her as doyenne and I receive from every one the kindest expressions of sympathy and the warmest felicitations, all these eusions are of course duly forwarded to her who has the largest sympathy and admiration. The weather is rather unpleasant, everything is reeking with dampness and tho it has not been raining for the last four days, the sky looks always very threatening. Let us hope that it wont rain any more, there has enough of misery been caused already by the preceding downpours! Nothing new in politics, things look quieter in Hunan and Kuangtung but antiforeign placards are again appearing in Honan. Good bye for the present. Give my most respectrul regards to Mrs Heard and believe me with every good wish for you and yours. Yours very truly, MvBrant Baron von Sternnburg5 turns out to be an old acquantance of your oldest daughtor, whom he met frequently in 1885 at Lord Sackvilles and Mrs Robinsons, the wife of the third secretary of the navy; I am glad that Max will nd some one here to talk over her american friends; Sternburg knows everyone. Mr. Denby6 wrote a most charming letter in acknowledgement of a note from me, it was duly forwarded to Max. The Austro-Corean treaty was signed at ????? On June 23d between Baron von Biegeleben7 and the Corean Charg daaires; it is to be ratied within a year. But e now, chin chin for good.
5 Baron Speck von Sternburg was the Secretary to the German Legation in Peking. He interested himself in studying Chinese military resources and many of his observations were reported in G.N. Curzons Problems of the Far East, Constable and Co., London, 1896, a study of China, Korea, and Japan from an extremely biased English point of view. 6 Col. Charles Denby was the U.S. Minister to China (1885-1898). 7 Baron Rdiger von Biegeleben, Austrian-Hungarian diplomat and statesman, resident minister u in Japan, signed the treaty with Korea on 23 June 1892.

78 Yours, B.

CHAPTER 4. 1892

18 July
Shanghai July 18th

Dear Papa, Your letter of the 14th came this morning, but the parcel has not yet turned up. Doubtless it will later. You say nothing of your health? So I take it for granted that you are well., But I am sorry you & Mamma miss me so very much for I fear I am caught here & I shall probably have to remain at least ten days longer. Doing as much as I can each day it will be quick work if I can then get o., I was so worn out & good for nothing yesterday that I had to back out of a tea out of town & a dinner & take to my bed. Today I feel better & begin my siege at the dentists once more. It has been fairly cool so far but today it is terribly hot & I feel as if I had got into a bath with my clothes on. About our marriage you know as much as I do. I presume it will be quiet, that is we shall invite people to the church only, so there is nothing to do in the way of preparation that I can think of. Brandt is trying to get the Admiral & some of the squadron in Chefoo for that time, in which case we may be married on board the agship, which means of course more of an aair, tho nothing would devolve on us I think in the way of entertainment. But it is so hard to settle things by letter & everything takes so long to do that I think it will be little short of a miracle if anything gets done when we think. If that wretched Emperor would only telegraph us we might settle matters better. It has been very hard this last week to keep people quiet & I have been much annoyed by congratulations which I have constantly refused. Mr & Mrs Low have also been asked if it were true & I am looked upon with curiousity which is sometimes embarrassing. I think Mr. Walter started it, no thanks to him! Mr. Lamson has called but I was out. Mrs L. saw him yesterday at the tea & he asked her particularly about you, saying that you had stopped writing. I hope to see him before I go. You probably have my letter about the royal present, & other things. I have seen nothing better than the vases. The Vissi`re are stationed here now. He is consul general which is a promotion e for him. Their fte was pretty the other evening, but there were too few people. e Having been here but a short time few have called. We had a pleasant sail with the

79 McLeods [???] on Saturday. They do not go to Chefoo before the end of August or beginning of Sept. Have the Bunkers arrived or any other Seoul lights? It is too hot to write & there really is not much to say. Everyone asks after you & the old comprador. Ak-ke [?] inquired for the whole family & was sorry you were not coming here. Several of the Hong servants were interested in my coming as your daughter. Kiss to Mama Yours aectly H.M.H.

19 July
Chefoo, July 19 1892

Dear Amy, Your petit mot of 8 June answered well enough my own feelings, or rather what would have been my own feelings with any one else than von Brandt but I have so high an opinion of him that I had no doubts of his reasons for delay were perfectly proper. At rst as I wrote you I was perfectly disposed that nothing should be said about it in order to give Max the time to reect on the situation but reection delay only seemed to increase her ardor, & as I wrote you by the last mail you might have supposed them both in their teens! On the 7th they departed he for Peking She for Shanghai, it being understood that he should return to ??? and the wedding take place soon afterward. But Max wrote me from Sh. that the report of her engagement seemed to be current there and she cd not put her foot outside of her door. And yester day I recd a letter from Brandt to say there was so much talk it was useless to undertake to keep the matter secret any longer; so I have spoken of it to two or three people here. Before he went away he wrote Mrs Low to tell her. Max has behaved very well in all this business. It has been no doubt a great trial to her patience but she has innite condence in her ance & I would not say a e word to disturb it. I do not understand however why he put o his application to the Emperor so long & I shall one day ask him. I fully expected him in Korea at end of May & was much annoyed when he did not come. We are delighted with the pictures at the children, & wish oh, how much, we could see them and you. Kiss them for us, & dont forget us. We are going to feel very much alone!

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CHAPTER 4. 1892

Yrs, AH Your mother always liked von Brandt very much, but in the present case she cant get over the disparity of years. She thinks it dreadful! & all other considerations are as nothing.

20 July
Shanghai July 20th

Dear Papa, You will think that I always write in a hurry, and very right you will be, but the fact is the days seem hardly long enought to accomplish anything in. The dentist takes such a slice out of each day, which practically ends at four oclock when I have to dress & go to the parlor, to see anybody who may call. After ve we invariably go out to return calls or to drive; or as yesterday to drop in at the country club, where I saw the Lamsons. I was beginning to think I never should, but he was very empress & as nice & amusing as ever. Hot & in a decided nglig after playing tennis e e e he was not handome but I enjoyed the few minutes relaxation from the heavy stilted conversation of the others. He asked most particularly after you & was troubled with the thought that he had said something in his last letter which had oended you, as you had not answered him. I reassured him on that score & explained that you had been ill etc. He seemed relieved. Monday evening I had a pleasant chat with Mr. Fearson (James) who joined us at the gardens. He was unusually sociable & agreable. I see nothing else for the present. Thanks for your letters & those enclosed, I return Uncle Johns for you to read. It must be a nuisance to have the Bunkers next door, to say nothing of the others. My teeth are very troublesome & painful to work on & I cannot possibly get away before the end of next week even taking two sittings a day for two or three days. I dare not do it oftener it is such a strain on my nerves. Mamas waist came all right no books in the box & the tailor is at work on her dress for the wedding. I trust she will like it. Let me have your measures for dressing gown & I can have that attended to. I really do not see why Amy needs to worry over the secrecy of my engagement. I have weritten home & we shall speak of it here very soon & if trying to anyone it is to me, especially of late. The Lows send remembrances. I many kisses to you & Mama.

81 Ever atly H.M. H.

I was shocked to see the death of Walker Blaine in the papers. The amah I had enjoyed now throws me up for another place and I am again on the hunt. I am afraid I shall not get so good a one again.

21 July
Chefoo, July 21 1892

Dear Amy, I enclose a note from Max recd. this morning which will give you the latest news of her, & also one from von Brandt recd. an hour later. Which I think you wd be pleased to see. It gives you a touch of coleur locale. Sternburg in German Secy of legation, I believe. Yrs A.H. Mrs Denby is the wife of the Am. Minister & at present the leading lady in Peking. Max will push her from that position!

23 July
Peiking July 23d 1892

My Dear Heard, Many thanks for your letter of July 18 which reached here today rather more quickly than I could expect taking into consideration the state of the river which is still very bad, the Peiko having broken through the dykes some miles above Tsentien [??] and ooded the country there. I hope you did not take amiss my remark about Denby as attributing to you any part in the ???? he and the others had been indulging in. It was not intended certainly to ???? what ?????. Now that I have got over the angry feeling caused by peoples talking. I am rather glad that they spent so much

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CHAPTER 4. 1892

time and breath in discussing the probability; when they learnt the news nothing remained but the miles of human kindness, all the zz having gone o and I must say I have seen nothing but kind and sympathetic faces and heard nothing but ???? words. Max is such a general favourite that I feel that everybody is envying me my happiness. To a certain extent, and nothing is ???? better ??? if the proverbs are true. I had a bad and at some moments a rather dangerous passage but I carried my point and arrived on the day on which I had said I would arrive. Pigheadedness as I call it now, strength of character as I used to call it when younger and vainer. You say nothing about your health wich I take to be a good sign; besides Shavermeier+ [???] tells me that you are improving daily. I hope he judges the stae of things rightly. As to the marriage of an american with a foreigner we had only one instance here I can remember. Miss Nina Howard (a) with Mr Kipperley, they were married at the British Legation and afterward at the Legation chapel and then at the catholic church, the american authorities taking, to my knowledge, no part in the proceedings. The Consul certainly was not up here. Ugly placard appear again in Hunan, but we get only what we merit. I hope Mrs Heard is doing well, give my warmest and most respectful regards to her and believe me, my dear Heard, with every good wish for you and yours. Yours very truly M v Brandt

I have good news from Max tho the dentist is very hard upon her. +German Consul

30 July
Chefoo, July 30

Dear Amy, Nothing from you by last mail. Max will be back tomorrow, & we shall be glad to see her. It is very lonely without her. I enclose one of her late notes from Shanghai, & I have sent my brother John a letter of felicitations from Denby, our minister at Peking, highly appreciative of von Brandt. It only expresses my own opinion, but coming from an outsider will have with others more authority! I have asked him to send it to you. The marriage will probably take place abt. Aug 20. The whole country

83 between Peking & the sea is under water, the river swollen by the most heavy rains having broken its ???? and Brandt will have a dicult, not to say dangerous task to get down, but no doubt hew will manage it somehow. Allen writes me that he as seen Whartons resignation in a late paper, which I am very sorry to hear. As Blaine is out, this leaves me without any friend at court, & sometimes one is useful. Reecting on Maxs loss makes me feel how old I am. I have not till lately realized it much, but your mother & I will have to support each others tottering steps. Her health, thank God, is perfectly good, but her loss of hearing & memory is sometimes very trying. I wish I could hear that you were well. Russell says that you are stronger, but your eyes are troublesome & a sign of weakness. If you could could all come & camp in my ??? for a couple of months this autumn or next spring, it would do you a world of good, & give me a world of delight. My pictures of the little ones give me innite pleasure. Yours evr A.H.

10 August
Chefoo, Aug. 10

My Dear Amy, I telegraphed Russell yesterday that Emperor refuses consent Marriage postponed & there is not much more to say. I received yesterday a letter from von Brandt to that eect, & saying that he would be here on the 20th. He says he considers Max released though he is indissolubly bound. He shall hand in his resignation and on its acceptance shall again ask her if she is willing to join his more modest fortunes. He evidently ??? it as the end of his career & feels bitterly such treatment after 33 years of faithful & honorable service. There is a reglement that ministers shall not marry without this consent, but it has been looked upon as a matter of form, & I know myself many marriages Germans in ocial life and American women. Max bears it very well and seems to be fonder of him then ever. I told her she had an oppy now of knowing whether her aection was more to the oce or the man, & her answer is not doubtful. But it is a great blow to her & her resistance to it shows the active strength of her character. I am quite proud of her.

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CHAPTER 4. 1892

It seems a wanton piece of heartless cruelty, & you know my feelings perfectly without the necessity of any big words on my part. No one is more astonished than other Germans in govt service, who knew Brandts ??? to consideration & how rarely this right has been exercised by the Sovereigns. I do hope somebody will tap the head of this wretched Emperor, & let some of the wind out, & I am dispirited to ln that Russia seems of late disposed to make friends with him. There is no objection to giving the reason for the postponement of the marriage, but without comment. There is no use to embitter the situation, or make a change of opinion more dicult and for the same reason it is not for us to make any allusion to Bs intention to hand in his resignation. So please do not mention it. There is nothing to be done or said but wait. Max will have to spend another winter in Korea! I shant be sorry, but she will! There is nothing more to add. We are all pretty well & shall be happy to get back to our own roof ???. Though Chefoo has done us good. Much love & kisses to the children from your mother & myself. Yours evr A.H.

16 September
Seoul, Sept 16 1892

Dear Amy, I hope we are not going to be deprived of the pleasure of seeing your writing much longer. It is all well to hear that your are improving; we can rejoice at that, but we should like to hear it from your own lips. I am tempted to wonder if you can read writing, since you cannot see to write; & when I reect what a dreadful scribble my writing has become I no longer think it readable. However it is a pleasure for me to talk with you, so I will suppose you are there to listen and continue my bavardage. Max keeps up wonderfully. She has her deep ts of depression, but they are not long or frequent. I told her at the rst that the best way to ght o her own grief was to try to take an interest in the concerns of others, & she has acted in the spirit. She ordinarily gives no sign of sorrowing, & a stranger would not notice tha she was not in her usual ????, but to me she is very dierent from the gay girl of a year ago.

85 I confess I have more misgivings about the course of aairs than she has ?????. It would be very easy if the authorities were likely to ??? into his ????, & try to carry them out. But Im afraid the worse will be the case, & they will try to thwart him & his projects. Mr. ???? is for home as soon as he receives his letters from ????. I learn what the Emperors refusal means which will be at the end of this month to send in his resignation & at its acceptance, which Max expects to be immediate, to come down here as soon as the river opens, say end of March or April. They wd then be married and go home to Europe. In this she admits there may be a doubt as B. told us the resignation may be accepted here & he may be put in disponibilitis the only practical dierence being that in the latter case his annual pension is $1000 less. Brandt says they must accept his resignation. The only possibility is they may oer him a years leave which he would take means to avoid. But it seems to me that if they dont want to get rid of him, but want to prevent him from marrying an American, there are a good many ways to give him annoyance & delay, if of not actually ultimately checkmating him, & I cannot help fearing they will be practiced. They may begin by oering him a years leave, which he will decline; but that will take time. They may accept his resignation, but require him to keep his post till his successor is named & arrives. In fact there are more ways than one to kill a cat. And with such a cat and such an Emperor nothing is too much to expect. B. is not a man to be patient under ??? or to submit to injustice; but there are limitations, & the German system is so utterly soul-killing & arbitrary that no exaction would surprise me! I hope to live long enough to see some of the gas punched out of it. Brandt is not a Prussian by heredity, which accts for his being a decent fellow. Kiss the boys for me. Their pictures are a great delight. As ever A.H.

20 September
20 Sept

Dear Amy, I enclose a note to Arthur Dexter, wd. please send to him.

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CHAPTER 4. 1892

We are having a dinner of missionaries tonight. I enclose note from one of them, whom we think of as most promising. I also enclose the back of the envelope with my address. He has been here rather over a year & ought to know better. The writing is as typical of the phrasiology. The English missionaries are educated men & gentlemen. We have none of the Inland Mission here. They are all Church of England men. Yours ever A.H.

Augustine Heard American Consul Genl. Dear Mr. Heard Your kind invitation for Monday eve recieved and I accept with frank hospitality. Yours sincerely, H.M. Brown

17 October
[Seems to be a journal entry in Maxs handwriting.] We started for the palace8 at half past two, Mrs Allen going with me. Mrs Great.9 joined us en route. We were taken half way round the palace grounds by a back gate,
Kyongbok Palace, now a museum Mrs. Elizabeth Greathouse was the mother of Clarence Ridgeby Greathouse [c. 18451899], an American advisor to King Kojong. Clarence Greathouse was general manager of the San Francisco Examiner when in 1886 he was appointed consul-general to Japan at Yokahama, a post at which he served for four years. In 1890 he was engaged to serve as a legal advisor for King Kojong and in January 1891 he was appointed vice-president of the home oce, which put him in charge of legal aairs. His best known case was the trial of the Japanese and Korean conspirators accused of the murder of the Queen in 1895. He died while serving as an advisor to the King. His mother lived with him until his death. Mrs Greathouse had been a friend of the Queen, and thought her a gentle, pretty creature. After her sons death she returned to Versailles, Kentucky at the age of 81. [2, 4, 7] The biography in [4] was written by Harold Joyce Nobel, who wrote of the foreign community in korea in his paper [3] and his 1931 PhD thesis [8] (information provided by John Shufelt).
9 8

87 thru which we started half way back again only on the inside of the walk instead of out. After about 5 minutes we were put down at the gate of one of the miserable inside courts, which left us but a few steps to take before reaching the position where we were to wait. We were met at the foot of the high stone steps by Min Chong Ho, cousin of the Queen10 , a handsome young man speaking English perfectly; at the top by two court ladies, old hags of nearly seventy yrs. in the most indescribable of dresses, almost fascinating in its ugliness. Tiny feet in the universal white stocking, a few inches of white trouser showing around the ankle. Then a round, balloning, bulging mass of shirts of all colors, & hitched & hoisted round in every possible way. The shoulders covered by a tiny jacket of a lighter brighter shade of green than the outside shirt. Their wizened faces were framed in by a huge head dress of false hair ??? down over the ears & touching the shoulders so that they could with diculty move their heads about. Over this mass of hair was a spread eagled ??? arrangement of heavy black lacquered wood. A troup of maids of all ranks & grades, in simpler dresses of silk & of the same style, usually green shirts & yellow jackets, with great rount balls of hair in the backs of their heads, stood closely packed around us, while the eunuchs walked about asking questions of our interpreters. The pavillion was clean & nicely papered in Korean style with the exception of a large center table & chairs. We waited about 20 minutes, then leaving our wraps we were marched across a courtyard up a ight of stone steps to the position where the King Queen & Crown Prince stood behind little square tables, surrounded by a sinister crowd of maids as that around the ladies of the court. We walked up quite near and bowing to each in turn we came & stood before the King & Queen who were side by side, their son o on the right at right angles. It was very much like playing at school as we had the usual stereotyped questions put to us in turn. How we liked Korea? Were we comfortable? How many children etc. After about fteen minutes perhaps less we were dismissed the Queen having expressed her regrets at not having been able to receive us before as she had been ill in the morning, but that tomorrow we should receive a present as a remembrance. Their majesties were both much interested & amused by Mr. Ducitieschys [???] two little boys, to whom they gave small painted gauze fans & little embroidered pouches. The Queen is small, not pretty but having grace & charm of manner. She was aable & talkative. Her face was as white as this paper with powder & paste & she also wore a huge chignon minus the wooden thing. Instead she had Chinese jewelry stuck in all around it which was quite becoming & quaint. But her teeth were horrible black & irregular. As she stood behind the table I could not see the detail of her dress well but it seemed to consist of a very long & voluminous shirt of dark blue
10 Min Myongsong, the controversial and powerful wife of King Kojong. She would be murdered by Japanese soldiers in the palace in 1894.

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gause or thin silk with a side border woven in gold. A longish Chinese looking jacket of bright ret satin thickly covered with gold & out of the side sleeves of which fell white gause sleeves also with a gold border. She kept her hands carefully concealed in these except when she put them up to her head for a moment to push forward the mass of her hair which seemed to drag; or when she gave the toys to the children. The King did not speak to us, only played with the boys across the table. I was very much pleased with him & found him almost handsome in his gorgeous red & gold gown. The Crown Prince is an idiot or looks like one. As we came out I noticed a delicious fragrance in the courtyard. Turning back twd. Min who was a few steps behind me, I noticed that the King & Queen had followed us out to the top of the steps. She wished my questions repeated to her, then invited me to walk about the park. The scent came from a number of pots of owers but I do not know the name of the plant. Finding our wraps in the waiting room we started for our walk but had not gone far before we came to the back of the audience hall, on the piazza of which their majesties had come out with their ???. I was standing on a raised terrace across the yard, which is as much a part of a Korean house as the front door is of ours. Mrs Greathouse on my left, Min on my right, directly in front of the King. Mrs G. pointed to a bronze sundial on a stone pedestal by which we stood, asking what it was.11 The King saw me put my hand on it & shouted across did we have sun dials in America? I assured him that we did not use them any more having clocks. How did we regulate them? By the sun. And how did we know ? By insruments one of which was called a sextant. Oh yes! That was used on ships did we use it on land too? The whole situation was ludicrous, he with his suite, I with mine consisting of Mrs. G. Mamma, Mrs S Mrs D. with the boys, then Jap. Consuls wife, him & two Jap. amahss but I had some diculty keeping my face straight when he asked if we took the position of the sun by day or by night! There was nothing to see in the way of owers as we returned to our pavillion where the table had been set in our absense. We were given a foreign dinner, bad of course. Two ladies in waiting taking the ends of the table. I sat between Mrs. G. and Min Chong Ho. I managed to see so much of it all as I had asked permission to keep on my spectacles, as I said that like my father I could not see without them. Mama wore her red gown with black lace & diamonds. I wore a pale blue silk V back & front, with a little white lace around the chu & elbow sleeves my parure of turqoise & diamonds. Mrs D. also in evening dress. The other ladies in walking
11 During a visit to Seoul Korea in 1984 I toured the castle and its grounds and found the bronze sundial admired by my great aunt Max almost a hundred years earlier.

89 dress & bonnets. It was all rather curious and interesting, but more so to look back upon than at the time. M. Min told me that of all the women that he saw none were allowed to marry. We got home at half past vive. Oct. 21st. The Queen sent Mamma & me a quantity of presents. We each recieved 4 very ne bamboo window screens, 2 small mats, 2 pieces (22 yds each) of nely hand quilted silk a most marvelous work of patience; 4 piece of a very thin soft & imsey white silk, 2 pieces of white gauze (nice), 2 cu grass cloth coarse, a soap stone e box, a small embroidered pouch smelling very strongly of sumac, and 10 common lacquered fans. A perfect pony load. All the other ladies who were received got the same.

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Chapter 5 1893
8 January
Sul o le 8 janvier 1893

Ch`re Amy, e Voil` dj` plusieurs semaines que nous navons eu une causerie, mais avant de a ea commencer mon rcit de tout ce qui sest pass pendant ce temps je veux te remercier e e de la jolie petite aigrette que jai reu par le dernier courier. Il faudra me dpcher c e e daller` un bal pour pouvoir la porter. a Il ny en a gu`re ici encore mais nous t assez gai pour nous. Plusieurs personnes e ee ont donn` des arbres de Nol; le dernier et le plus beau tait vendredi dernier chez e e e les russes, leur Nol nayant lieu que 12 jours apr`s le notre. e e Outre les enfants il y avait aussi bon nombre de grandes personnes de sorte que je me suis assez amuse, en enfantillage avec le secrtaire M de Behrbery [?] assez e e gentil garon. Il ya dix jours Mme Hillier (consulate Anglais) a donne une charade, c e pas trop brillante mais on nest pas dicile ici et cela nous a paru tr`s passable. Le e 2 janvier nous avons reu pas mal de visites, bien quil faisait un froid de loup. Mais c nous reprenons nos vieilles habitudes maintenant et il ny a plus rien sur le tapis si ce nest encore un de ces horribles diners de missionaires que nous allons avoir la semaine prochaine. Le dernier jesp`re, qui a t remis tout ces temps ci` cause de e ee a lindisposition de Papa, mais il va mieux et nous avons hte den nir. Maman va a assez bien mais elle sennuie` prir et ne parle que de len aller. Je crois que nous en a e avons tous en plus quassez et ne partirons pas avec grands regrets! Moi, jattends toujours et jen suis aussi bien lasse quelquefois, surtout quand je pense que nous en 91

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avons pour encore trois mois,` peu pr`s, si tout sarrange selon nos dsirs. a e e Il y a dj` presque un mois que ea je suis sans nouvelles et je ne sais si la rponse est encore arrivs e e de Berlin, mais je crois que cest encore trop tt. Nous faisons o nanmoins tout les arrangements e pour tre marie au commencee e ment davril et jai parl` lvque ea e e il y a quelques jours. Il doit me faire savoir sous peu si il consent` a nous marier ici, cest` dire au a salon pas` l`glise, aussitt quil a e o laura fait je tenverrai la nouvelle forme de lettre de fairepart. En attendant ajoute les noms de Mr & Mrs Alfred Dwight Foster 44 Faireld D. si tu ne les a pas encore sur la liste. Avec tout cela je ne tai pas dcris les cadeaux que Brandt e nous a fait pour Nol. A Maman e une robe chinoise de soie jaune brod de papillons, Papa un pee tit porte-cigarettes en cuir noir Maximilian von Brandt in 1892 avec initials M.B. surmont de la e couronne en argent,` moi tu a vas ouvrir de grands yeux! un ravissant petit service, thi`re, cafeti`re, crmier et ee e e sucrier, en argent massif, douvrage chinois; attends ce nest pas tout une broche de trois superbes amthystes montes en branche avec de tout petits diamants; une plus e e petite avec une grande pierre et diamants et des petites boucles doreilles ravissantes pour nir la parure. Pense donc! Mais cest sa derni`re extravagance je lui dit, car e maintenant nous allons tre raisonables. e Papa et Maman mont donn un gentille petite bo argent et maille Korenne, e te e e et Dr Allen ma cisel un cadre en bois pour portrait. Plusieurs cartes et des souhaites e de toutes part, de sorte que je nai pas` me plaindre. a Demain je commence lafouie de repasser la garde robes de Maman et les batailles avec le tailleur. Il est presque impossible de la plaire` moins que je ne lui fasse des a robes, et des chemises russes comme les miennes et je my refuse obstinment. Il me e manquerait plus que cela. Cest quelle commence vieillir srieusement. Maman ne a e

93 peut pas tre bien loin des 70 ans. Papa en a 65 et elle est le plus age je crois, des e e deux, de sorte que jai toujours les mains pleines douvrage. Je me porte mieux mais en ce moment jai un gros rhume, qui ne mempche pas e de trop bavarder tu vas dire. Tu as raison et je men vais surtout comme jai dautres lettres` crire pour ce courier. ae Comment vas tu? Mme Winthrop mcrit beaucoup mieux.? e Mille baisers aux mioches et pour toi avec bien de remerciments pour ton gentil souvenir. Hl`ne ee

Seoul 8 January 1893

Dear Amy, It has already been several weeks since we have had a chat, but before beginning my recitation of all that has happened in the meantime I want to thank you for the pretty little aigrette1 that I received by the last mail. I will have to hurry and go to a ball in order to wear it. There is scarcely anyone still here but we have been gay enough for us. Several people provided Christmas trees; the last and the best was last Friday at the Russians, their Christmas not taking place until 12 days after ours. Aside from the children there was also a large number of adults of the sort that amuse me, being childish with the Secretary Mr. de Behrbery, a nice enough young man. Twelve days ago Mrs Hillier (British Consulate) gave a charade, not brilliant but one is not dicult here and it appeared to us quite passable. The 2nd of January we recieved a fair number of visits, even though it was very cold. But we are recovering our old habits now and there is nothing still left but one of these horrible Missionary dinners that we are going to have next week. The last I hope, which has been put o all these times because of Papas indisposition, but he is better and we are eager to nish them. I believe that we have all had more than enough and we will not leave with grand regrets! Me, I wait all the time and I am well tired of it sometimes, especially when I think that we will have three months more of it, more or less, if all goes as we wish.
1

This seems to be a form of silver headdress in a form resembling the tuft of an egret.

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It is nearly a month that I have been without news and I do not know if the response has arleady arrived from Berlin, but I believe that it is still too early. Nevertheless we are making all the arrangements to get married at the beginning of April and I talked to the Bishop several days ago. He should shortly let me know if he consents to marry us here, that is to say in the living room and not at the church, as soon as he does it I will send you the new announcement. While waiting add the names of Mr and Mrs Alfred Dwight Foster 44 Faireld D. if you do not already have them on the list. With all of that I have not described the gifts that Brandt gave us for Christmas. To Mama a Chinese silk dress embroidered with butteries, Papa a little black leather cigarette case with initials M.B. under a silver crown, to me you are going to open your eyes wide! a ravishing little service, silver teapot, coepot, creamer of Chinese design; wait that is not all a brooch of three superb amythysts mounted on branch with tiny diamonds, a smaller one with a large stone and diamonds and small ravishing earrings to complete the nery. Think then! But it is the his last extravagance I told him, since now we are going to be reasonable. Papa and Mama gave me a nice little silver box and Korean enamel and Dr Allen chiseled a wood frame for me for a portrait. Several cards and good wishes from everywhere, leaving me nothing to complain about. Tomorrow I begin the ??? of ironing Mamas wardrobe and the battles with the tailor. It is almost impossible to please her unless I make her dresses, and the Russian shirts like mine, and I obstinantly refuse to do so. I lack more than that. It is that she is beginning to seriously get old. Mama cannot be far from 70 years. Papa is 65 and she is the older, I believe, of the two with the result that I always have my hands full of work. I am doing better but at the moment I have a bad cold, which does not prevent me from chatting too much you are going to say. You are right and I will ee above all because I have other letters to write for the mail. How are you doing? Mrs Winthrop wrote me much better.? A thousand kisses to the little ones and for you with many thanks for your nice souvenir. Helen

6 April
Peking April 6 1893

95

My dear Mr Heard I was sorry to hear by your ??? of the 29th that you had resigned. I sincerely hope that the home air and surroundings will improve your health. Mr von Brandt got o from Peking amid the ring of crackers and the enthusiastic cheering of his friends. This reminds me that I have a letter from Hon Wm Walter Phelps2 in which he acknowledges the receipt of mine of Dec 19. He regrets that nothing can be done in the matter of retaining Mr von Brandt at Peking, as the Emperor has made and published an adverse decision. He says he knows your daughter well: I saw her grow up & lived for one congressional term in her fathers house also I have the pleasantest recollections of our last meeting & wish there were soon to be another. For these reasons he would have been glad to be of service. I see the Governor of New Jersey has appointed Mr Phelps lay ??? of the ??? of errors. The politicians are becoming liberal in these days. I suppose this letter will reach you in time for felicitaions on account of the wedding which I accordingly sincerely oer to Mrs Heard and yourself. Yours sincerely Charles Denby

9 May
A bord de lOldenburg dans le dtroit de Malacca e le 9 mai 1893 Ch`re Amy, voil` bientt un mois que je me dis tous les jours que je devrai tcrire e a o e et te raconter tout ce qui cest pass ces temps ci, mais jai t tellement prouv et e ee e e fatigue par les prparatifs de noce, le jour mme, le voyage et surtout les ftes de e e e e toutes sortes, que je ny suis jamais parvenue. Aujourdhui je veux en tous les cas faire un commencement. Retournerons alors au 15 avril qui sest pass tout` fait comme e a je te lavais crit auparavent. Crmonie au consulat 11 heures ` la maison` 3 e ee a a a
2 18391894, lawyer, Republican Congressman from New Jersey 1973-75, 1883-89, U.S. Minister to Austria-Hungary, 1881; to Germany, 1889-93.

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avec rception apr`s. Le temps pluvieux et dsagrable toute la semaine tait atroce e e e e e le vendredi, Brandt etait arriv avec un areux rhume ce que pendait deux jours e il ne pouvait prononcer un mot` haut vois enn tout tait assez decourageant. a e Le samedi le ciel stait clairci et nous naurions pu avoir une plus belle journe, e e e un temps idale tout le monde a envoy des eurs et avec ce que javais d`ja la e e e maison tait vraiment tr`s jolie. B. presque rtabli avait tr`s bonne mine dans son e e e e uniforme, pas la petit, comme il avait premi`rement dcid, mais galonn dor tu e e e e verras dans la photographie, faite tout de suite apr`s la marriage. Tu remarqueras e

Marriage in Seoul of Max and Max: 15 April 1893

aussi que tout les autres diplomates taient en uniform ce qui rendit un certain cachet e ! Le Koren est le Prs. du bureau des aaires trang`res, qui proposa notre sant e e e e e dans un tr`s jolie petit speech que linterpr`te traduisit. A six heures tout tait ni` e e e a notre grande satisfaction. Pauvre Papa tait reint nayant pu se tenir un place une e e e demie minute de toute la journe tant il tait excit. Il nous a fait tant de peine, et e e e les deux petites lettres depuis mon dpart sont si tristes! Dimanche apr`s midi B. e e et moi emes audience avec le roi et la reine et le prince. Elle fut fut tr`s aimable u e

97 et me questionna pendant un bon quart dheure sur ce que jallais faire, ma maison, etc. Le soir B. reut une norme quantitit de cadeaux du roi et du prince, qui c e e le recurent avec dautant plus daimabilit et dintert quil a fait le trait de 1882 e e e avec le Core. Tu trouveras la liste de cadeaux ci-jointe. Les tlgrammes ont plu e ee de toutes part. Aussi trouveras tu une photographie de B. faite trois jours avant la noce qui est passable. Lundi matin nous partimes de bonheur par un temps superb ayant avec dicult rassembl toutes notre prorpits. Nous allmes tout de suite` e e ee a a bord la Ping Ching qui nous attendait et ???? en mer le lendemain ` laube. Nous a emes beau temps jusqu` Shanghai l` il pleuvait hlas et pendant toute cette u a a e semaine le temps ne sest pas enti`rement remit. Arriv` trois heures nous restmes e ea a tranquils, causant avec notre hte, le Consul-gnral M. Stuchel. Le soir diner ???. o e e Lendemain matin je s des emplettes et s und petite visite chez le dentiste. ???? assez tard car nous tions alls` bord du vaisseau pour voir nos cabines et diriger les e ea changement quil ait ` faire. a Joublie de te dire que quand nous arrivmes le capitaine a fait dcorer le a e bateau de drapeux lallemand en avant et le drapeau Amrican ??? main, et comme e nous quittmes bord il a tir un salut Chinois trois coups de canon. Je reviens a e a ma journe du vendredi de 2 hrs` 6 1/2 je reu des visites beaucoup de vieilles e a c connaissances. Il fallait parler allemand presque enti`rement! Ereinte je me sauve e e enn pour me reposer un moment avant le diner du soir 16 personnes, encore de lAllemand. Mais jai prouv pour la premi`re fois la sensation dtre femme e e e e marie et excellence. Aussi au dessert, cest` dire au moment de se lever de table je e a remarquait que la conversation languissait, ou attendait videmment quelquechose, e jtais fatigu et je me demandait quand on allait se lever. Enn notre hte me e e o demande si je voulait bien retourner au salon pour le caf jamais il ne mtait e e entr en tte que je devais me lever la premi`re. Cest une des choses qui ma t e e e ee le plus dicile` apprendre surtout quand il y a une dame de la maison. Je me suis a vite hibitu a lExcellency [???stu in German???] le lendemain vendredi` neuf e a heures Dr Hall marracha deux dents. je me sentais d`ja indispose apr`s toutes les e e e bonne choses dont javais trop mang et le champagne et ceci ne me rendit gu`re plus e e vaillante, mais je s quelques commissions, puis une visite` des vieux amis de B. qui a partaient pour Canton dans une heure, et ne rentrit que juste` temps pour mhabiller a pour aller dejeuner en ville. Jai du quitter la table au beau milieu heureusement nous tions tout` fait en famille car nos htes taient en grand deuil. Mme L. fut e a o e tr`s aimable et me soigna si bien que je me sentais beaucoup mieux et rentrit sans e accident. Aussitt rentr jai un autre acc`s et B. me mit au lit et fait vinir le docteur o e e qui prononce bad indigestion, ce que javais d`ja divin. Javait le `vre et ne e e e pouvait plus remuer, de sorte que B. va seul au diner chez les B. Dimanche je reste tranquil et ne mange que de la soupe au riz! ce qui fait que je me suis assez bien pour assister au diner du soir,` la maison 20 personnes bien que sans rien manger. a

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Lundi B. me m`ne dans des magazines chinois pour fair des emplettes, cest` dire e a pour me gter en machetant des brocarts 3 robes, une petite broche et un bangle a en or pour me ddommager du diner. Je me repose toute lapr`s-midi formant la e e poste` tout le monde, mais je me suis dj` assez forte. Le soir je me suis `rement a ea e amuse. Diner chez Dr Hall mon dentiste! o` javais une vielle connaissance` ma e u a gauche. Nous ne nous tions pas vus depuis longtemps et il est toujours amusant. A e dix heures bal au Club jai t tout de suite entoure ce qui ne ma pas empche de ee e e e danser. Chief Justice Ha????, le Prsident du committee me conduisit au souper et` e a deux heures je rentrais` moiti morte. Mardi je me portais bien au dsappointement a e e de B. qui mavais prpar un bon sermon, mais jusquici il a d le garder en rserve. e e u e Mardi soir les Allemands et principaux Anglais lui donn`re un grand diner au Club e Allemand. 80 couverts, musique, speech etc. etc. On lui presenta une adresse sur sur parchemin magniquement illumine et signe par toutes les maisons allemandes en e e Chine, et une norme lampe en argent. On bt` ma sant sparment avec norme e ua e e e e enthousiasme des hurrahs et chansons. Enn il revint enchant me raconter toute e laair en dtail` onze heures. Je t 34 visites et alla` un petit th de Mme Ha???? e a a e en mon honneur. Mercredi, emballage et adieus. Jeudi matin` 7.30 encore des adieux` a a maison,` huit heures une autre dose sur le wharf, accompagn de eurs en quantits. a e e Nous avions un launch` nous et commes nous abordmes lOldenburg la musique joua a a et les drapeaux fur hisse. Il pleuvait. Une fois partis nous poussmes un soupir de e a soulagement et dormirent toutes l`pres midi. De ma vie, je nai t plus fatigue et a ee e jai bien compris quel ennui cela doit tre pour des grands personages de voyager. Nos e cabines sont sur le upper deck, avec de vraies petites fentres; on a couper une porte e entre les deux de sorte que nous sommes on ne peut mieux. La cuisine est tr`s bonne e et je ne fais que boire manger et dormir. Je commence aussi` me rattraper un peu et a dj` gagner deux livres. La mer est calme mais quelle chaleur! A Hong Kong il pluvait ea encore. Une atmosph`re accablante. Je vis M. et Mme. Forbes qui demand`rent de e e tes nouvelles. Nous arrivmes` huit heures dimanch (30 avril) matin, furent conduit` a a a lhotel par le Consul et sa femme, gentils. Nous nous reposmes jusqu` une heure et a a demie quand on (Mr. Hoppins [??]) vint nous chercher pour aller au club allemand en chaise. L`, conduite par M. H. au son de la musique qui jouait en haut, je traversait a la grande antichambre entre une haie de messieurs qui, avec B. en tte, se refer`rent e e [???] et me suivirent sur le grande escalier, dans une grande chambre sur le premier tape. L` neuf dames allemandes me furent prsent, et quelques uns des messieurs. e a e e Cinq minutes apr`s nous delions encore dans la grande salle o` deux normes tables e u e taient servit 70 couverts. Mauvais dejeuner speech. adresse en peluche bleue avec e monture et monogram argent, etc. la mme histoire. A cinq heures nous rent`rons e e assez fatigus, mais nous mes encore un petit tour en chaise, nous arrttant dans e e quelques magazines. Lundi matin, visite, promenades dans le brouillard. Grand djeuner de 20 pers. e

99 chez M. et Mme von Loeper. de la` bord accompagn de tout le bataclan. tas de eurs a e etc. etc. Pendant tout ce temps rien que de lAllemand et je fais des progrs sensible. e On me fait des compliments de toutes part. [several unintelligible words, possibly German] et ainsi de suite avec des point dexclamations sans n. Cest amusant mais si absurde. Je ne puis pas me faire` lide que je suis quelquune et jai toujours a e envie de rire quand on me fait des rvrences. A Singapore nous tions plus ma de e e e tre nous mmes et pour le moment nous sommes au bout de festins et autre crmonies. e ee Nous nous sommes amuss tant bien que mal par la grande chaleur. Cest` dire que e a nous avons o` B.` acheter un tas de choses pour moi, broderies, argenterie indienne u a etc. Je tai achet un petit mouchoir de Kurachi que je tenvoie par la poste. Une fois e lav il doit tre tout bleue. Un petit souvenir de mon voyage de noce qui surpasse e e encore toute ce que je mavais imagin. Mon mari est si bon et si heureux quil e fait plaisir` voir. Nous navons quamabilit et bonne chance de toutes parts. Nous a e sommes naturellement aussi le sujet dintrt et nous ne pourrions rien nous souhaiter ee mieux. Mme le ciel nous es propice et depuis un jour avant Singapore nous navons e plus de pluie et la chaleur nest pas si intense que dhabitude. Pour nous il fait bien assez chaud et tout le monde porte des coustumes les plus lgers. e En ce moment nous passons devant le cte de Sumatra, enveloppe dun brouillard o e lourd et chaud un ciel gris et une mer luisante nous crivons sur le pont pour tre e e plus a laise. B. un long rapport moi - de nos triomphes. Faut esperer que tu pourras en dbrouiller quelque-chose. A tu reu le tlgramme du 15, Brandt, 15th sans e c ee dlai? Je lai envoy aussitt apr`s le mariage civil pour que tu laie plus tt. As tu e e o e o envoy les lettres de faire part? Jesp`re trouver des nouvelles` Berlin en arrivant. Il e e a me semble quil y a un si`cle depuis que je nen ai eu. e Le 10 mai

Interrompu hier je vais tacher de nir ma lettre aujourdhui bien quil ny ait plus rien` ajouter ce me semble. Les journes passent tranquillement et sans accidents. a e Je mange boit et dors tant que possible, me rveillant seulement quand nous rentrons e dans un port quelconque. Apr`s demain nous devons toucher` Colombo, dj` trois e a ea er jours davance de sorte que si tout marche bien nous arriverons` Gnes le 1 ou bien a e du cinq juin. Jai hte davoir des nouvelles et dapprendre comment tu vas et tu a yeux. Brandt se fait rappeler` ton bon souvenir avec amitis` Russell. Mille baisers de a ea ma part.` toi a Hl`ne . ee

Je tai envoy plusieurs journeaux de Shanghai que je te pris de faire lire` Tante e a

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Alice ou` qui que cela peut intresser. Papa tenverra aussi deux photo. dont une est a e pour tante alice.

On board the lOldenburg in the straits of Malacca 9 May 1893 Dear Amy, a month has passed during which I told myself every day that I ought to write you and tell you all that has passed during these times, but I have been so tried and fatigued by the preparations for the wedding, even on the day itself, the voyage and above all the parties of every sort, that I have never succeeded. Today in any case I want to make a start. Return then to 15 April which passed entirely as I wrote you earlier. Ceremony at the Consulate at 11 at the house at 3 with a reception afterwards. Weather rainey and disagreable the entire week were atrocious Friday, Brandt arrived with an awful cold which left him unable to speak aloud for two days in short everything was discouraging enough. Saturday the sky cleared and we could have a nicer day, ideal weather everyboy sent owers and with everything I had at the house it was very pretty. B. almost recovered looked well in his uniform, not the oredinary as he had earlier decided, but decorated in gold you will see in the photograph, taken immediately after the marriage. You will remark also that all the other diplomats were in uniform, which renders a certain stylishness ! The Korean is the President of the bureau of foreign aairs, who proposed our health in a very pretty little speech which the interpreter translated. At 6 all was nished to our great satisfaction. Poor Papa was exhausted not have stayed in one place for half a minute during the entire day he was so excited. He did so much for us, and his two little letters since I left are so sad! Sunday afternoon B. and I had an audience with the King and the Queen and the Prince. She was very friendly and questioned me for a good quarter of an hour what I was going to do, my house, etc. That evening B. received an enormous quantity of gifts from the King and the Prince, which made up for with enough friendliness and intrest all he had done for the treaty of 1882 with Korea. You will nd a list of presents attached. Also you will nd a photograph of B. taken three days before the wedding which is passable. Monday morning we departed early with supurb weather having with diculty gathered all of our things. We went immediately on board the Ping Ching which was waiting for us and left the next day at dawn. We had good weather until Shanghai it rained alas and during the entire week the weather did not completely recover. Arriving at 3 we rested tranquilly, chatting with hour host, the Consul-general M. Stuchel. Dinner

101 that evening ???. The next morning I did some shopping and made a quick visit to the Dentist. ???? late enough because we went on board the ship to see our cabins and dirct the changes that had to be made. I forgot to tell you that when we arrived the captain had had the ship decorated with the German ag forward and the American ag on the main deck, and when we departed he gave the Chinese salute three blasts of the cannon. I return to my day of Friday from 2 until 6:30 I received visits many old acquaintances. It was necessary to speak German almost entirely! Exhusted I nally saved myself to rest a moment before dinner 16 people, again German. But I experienced for the rst time the sensation of being a married women and excellency. In addition at desert, that is to say at the moment to rise from the table, I noticed that the conversation was languishing, or was apparently waiting for something. I was tired and I asked when we would leave the table. At last our host asked me if I would like to return to the salon for coee it had never entered my head that I was supposed to be the rst to get up. It is one of those things that was the most dicult for me to learn, especially when there is a woman of the house. I quickly habituated myself to the Excellency [??? text in German ???] the next day Friday at 9 Dr Hall drew two teeth. I already felt indisposed after having eaten too many good things and the champagne and that scarcely rendered me more valliant, but I accomplished several errands, than a visit to two old friends of B. who were leaving for Canton in an hour, and I did not return until just in time to dress myself to go have lunch in the city. I had to leave the table right in the middle, happily we were completely among family because our hosts were in high mourning. Mrs L. was very friendly and took such good care of me that I felt much better and retourned without accident. As soon as I returned I had another attack and B. put me in bed and had the doctor come who pronounced baed indigestion, which I had already guessed. I had a fever and could not stir, as a result of which B. went alone to the dinner at B.s. Sunday I rested tranquilly and ate only rice soup! which left me well enough to attend a diner in the evening, at the house with 20 people eventhough I ate nothing. Monday B. took me to Chinese shops to do some shopping, that is to say to spoil me by buying brocades three dresses, a little brooch and a gold bangle to compensate me for the dinner. I rested all of the afternoon writing to everyone, but I am already strong enough. I proudly amused myself in the evening. Dinner at Dr. Halls my dentist! where I had an old acquaintance on my left. We had not seen each other for a long time, and it is always amusing. At 6 a Ball at the Club, I was immediately surrounded, which did not prevent me from dancing. Chief Justice ????, the President of the committee, conducted me to supper and at 2 I returned half dead. Tuesday I was well enough, to the disappointment of B. who had prepared a good sermaon for me, but up until now he had to hold it in reserve. Tuesday eveing the Germans and principal English gave him a grand dinner

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at the German Club. 80 tables, music, speech etc. etc. He was given a speech on a magnicent illuminated parchment at signed by all the German houses in China, and an enormous silver lamp. People drank to my health separately with enormous enthousiasm of hurrahs and songs. Finally he came back enchanted to describe the entire aair in detail at 11. I made 34 visits and went to a little tea of Mrs Ha??? in my honor. Wednesday, packing and goodbyes. Thursday morning more goodbyes at the house, at 8 another dose on the wharf, accompanied by quantities of owers. We had a launch to ourselves and when we borded the Oldenburg the music played and the ags were unveiled. It was raining. Once departed we sighed with relief and slept all the afternoon. In all my life I have never been more fatigued and I released how sad it must be for the great travelers. Our cabins were on the upper deck, with real little windows. A door had been cut between the two with the result that it could not be better. The cuisine is excellent and I do nothing but drink eat and sleep. I also begin to recover a bit and I have already gained two pounds. The sea is calm but what heat! In Hong Kong it was still raining. An overwhelming atmosphere. I saw Mr. and Mrs. Forbes who asked me for your news. We arrived at 8 Oclock Sunday (30 April) morning, we were conducted to the hotel by the Consul and his wife, nice. We rested until half past 1 Oclock when someone (Mr. Hoppins [??]) came to nd us to go to the German Club by chair. There, conducted by M.H. to the sound of German music which was loudly played, I traversed the grand antichamber into a line of men who, with B. at the head, ??? and followed me on the grand staircase, into a grand chamber on the rst oorl. There nine German women were presented to me and several men. Five minutes after we led again into the grand room where two enormous tables were set for 70 people. Bad luncheon speech. address in plush blue with silver mounting and monogram[???], etc. the same story. At ve Oclock we returned quite fatigued, but we again made a little tour by chair, we stopped at several stores. Monday morning, visit, walks in the fog. Grand lunch of 20 people at the house of Mr and Mrs von Loeper. From there on board accompanied by the whole kaboodle. Bunch of owers etc. etc. During all the time nothing but German and I am making perceptible progress. Everyone was complimenting me. [unintelligible, in German] and so on with endless exclamation points. It is amusing but so absurd. I cannot grasp the idea that I am someone and I always want to laugh when one is reverential towards me. At Singapore we were more masters of ourselves and for the moment we were at the end of the festivities and other ceremonies. We were well enough amused for better or for worse by the great warmth. That is to say that we had where B. had bought a bunch of things for me, embroideries, Indian silver etc. I bought for you a little handkerchief from Kurachi which I am sending you by post. Once washed it ought to be entirely blue. A little souvenir of my marriage voyage which

103 still surpasses anything that I could have imagined. My husband is so good and so happy that he is a pleasure to see. We have only amiability and good luck from all parts. We are naturally also the subject of interest and and we could wish for nothing better. Even the sky is propicious for us and since the day before Singapore we have had no more rain and the heat is not so intense as usual. For us it is hot enough and everyone wears the lightest clothes. At this moment we are passing before the coast of Sumatra, envelopped in a heavy and hot fog a gray sky and a sparkling sea. We are writing on the bridge to be more at ease. B. a long report, me of our triumphs. I must hope that your are able to disentangle something. Have you received the telegram of the 15th, Brandt, 15th, without delay? I sent it right after the civil marriage in order for you to have it more quickly. Did you send the announcements? I hope o nd news in Berlin when we arrive. It seems to me that it has been a century since last I had any. 10 May

Interrupted yesterday I am going to try to nish my letter today even though it seems to me there is nothing more to add. The days pass tranquilly without accident. I eat drink and sleep as much as possible, waking only when we return some port or another. After tomorrow we are going to touch at Colombo already three days in advance as a result of which if all goes well we will arrive at Genes the rst rather than the rth of June. I am in a hurry to have news and to learn how you are doing and your eyes. Brandt asks to be remembered to you with best wishes to Russell. A thousand kisses on my part.` toi a Hl`ne ee

I sent you several newspapers from Shanghai that I ask you to read to Aunt Alice or whomever might be interested. Papa will also send you two photos of which one is for you and one for Aunt Alice.

Wedding presents Necklace, bracelet & brooch of amethyste and diamonds Brandt Diamond neclace (or tiara) brooch (or pendant)

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Silver tea set Sir Robert Hart3 tea set Mr and Mrs Ohluser & Mr von Ha???? tea caddy Count & Countess Brockdorf Dr Wiles 4 Center piece Foreign representatives in Peking Inkstand Mr OConor5 2 silver napkin rings four principal Chinese servants of Legation in Peking silver tray Mr Behdirs [??] & Mr Baur with a piece of original poetry! 6 little silver models of chinese furniture, Bar. & Baroness von Lechendor Silver tea kettle Mr & Mrs Lieder 2 oil sketches of Chefoo 12 Silver coee spoons Mr. F.D. Cheshire Korean brides spoon Mrs Scranton 6 plated biscuit & butter dishes Captain & ocers of the ?.C. Ping-Ching Heavy gold hand bracelet & ring set with a large white pearl (each) Yellow satin mattress & cushion heavily embroidered 15 hair ornaments of Chinese jewelry 4 pcs white silk 4 pieces yellow (dyed) pass cloth 6 mats & 2 large bamboo window screens Queen of Korea A large roll of thick, colored paper, two tiger skins 2 marble boxes ??? and silver ??? mats, window screens faces, 4 pcs yel. gr. cloth 4 pcs white silk King and Crown Prince of Korea Marble box & emb. pillow ends Pres. of the Foreign Oce (C?? P?? ???) ?? & silver tobacco box 2 pil. ends Min Yung Chung Leopard skin Kim Ka Chin Tortoise shell comb, brush, & glass Mrs ???? Hankow lace collar & cus Russian towel Mrs Dmitrevsky 7 Horn & ivory box M. Kandin T?????, pen, candlestick & photo frame of plate & leather. Dr. Schrameier 3 albums of Japanese ??? Col. Nienstead8
Sir Robert Hart was the British inspector general of Chinese Maritime Customs Service Dr. Julius Wiles had been British Deputy Surgeon General in the British Army. He retired and then joined the English Mission (religious) in Chemulpo under Bishop Corfe. With his own money he built the English Mission in Seoul. Later Bishop Trollope described him as a splendid old specimen of the army doctor.[6] 5 Sir Nicholas-Roderick OConor, British legation secretary In Peking (1885-86), minister plenipotentiary to China and Korea (1892-95). 6 This is probably the mother of Dr. W.B. Scranton Mary F. Scranton. She came to Korea in June 1885 at the age of 52 and later founded Ewha University. She died in Korea in 1909. [6] 7 Possibly wife of Pavel Andreevich Dmitrevsky, Russian Consul in Hankow (188392) and Tientsin (1893-96), acting charg in Korea (1891,93) e 8 Col. F.J.H. Nienstead, American military instructor in Korea
4 3

105 4 rolls of silk H.E. Li Hun Chang9 4 boxes of tea Small gold chatelaine E.L. Foster Chique Mrs K.C. Winthrop Chque Amy & Russell e Large punch bowl. Bar. Goltz & other members of Legation in Peking. 2 painted enamel vases & bit of emb. Baron Spoeck von Sternburg rolls of silk ?ui of jade ??? ecarfs Ministers of the Kungli Yasuen (in Peking) Japanese vase Bishop Anger Large white Canton crape shawl. Secretaries of Consulates & Customs sta in Sul. o Traveling clock. Foreign representatives Gen. Le Gendre, Mr. Greathouse & Mr Neoyan Commissioner of Customs in Sul o Bronze inkstand with large monogram med quill pen Mr Krein H.I. G.M. Consul in Sul o ??? o brassware Mrs Greathouse Small emb. pouch Mr Yi Carved ivory photo frame Mr Ker 10 Book Bishop Corfe 11 Large silver lamp (5 ft high) German rms in China Carved ivory photo frame Mr Budler 12 The following newspaper account from the North China Herald of the wedding of Max and Max was provided by Robert Ne. The North China Herald 28 April 1893, Page 609 Favoured with that beautiful weather, which is popularly regarded as of happy augury for a wedding, the marriage of Herr von Brandt and Miss Heard was celebrated on Saturday, the 15th inst., at Seoul, Corea. The civil ceremony took place
Li Hung Chang (18231901) was the Viceroy of China. He was the richest and most powerful political boss in the Chinese empire, a physically imposing man of over six feet four with a thick moustache and black almond eyes.[9] He was a primary player in much of nineteenth century China, playing an active role in both Taiping and Boxer rebellions. 10 Ker was the British Consular Assistant and in the spring of 1892 he was the acting Vice-Consul in Seoul.[6] 11 Corfe was a former navy chaplain and was head of the Korean mission from about 1889 through the 1890s. He had the reputation of being an outspoken man who was not afraid to speak his mind which often caused the British representative in Seoul some embarrassment and irritation. [6] 12 Herman Budler was the former German vice Consul to Seoul (18841886). He had the reputation for not being very fond of Christians. He died in November 1983.[6]
9

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at the German Consulate, before Mr. Consul Krien, at 11 a.m., the only persons present besides the bride and bridegroom being, the witnesses, Baron von der Goltz, Secretary-Interpreter to the German Legation, Peking, Mr. F. Reinsdorf, of the German Consulate, Seoul, and the parents of the bride. For the purpose of signing the register, Mr. Krien had provided a splendid inkstand and pen with which he presented the bride after the ceremony, the same having been done by Dr. Schrameier, formerly acting Vice-Consul at Chefoo, who had hoped to have had the pleasure of performing the ceremony. The religious ceremony took place at 3 oclock in the afternoon of the same day, in the drawing room of the U.S. Legation, which had been prettily decorated with owers, sent partly by friends of the bride and bridegroom. The Right Rev. Bishop Corfe, of the Church of England Mission, assisted by the Rev. M.N. Trollope, performed the ceremony, to witness which only a limited number of invitations had been issued. These included the parents of the bride, Mr. Krien, Baron von der Goltz, Che Piung Chik, President of the Corean Foreign Oce, Mr. Oishi, Japanese Minister-Resident, Mr. Hillier, H.B.M.s Consul-General, (Mrs. Hillier being absent at Chemulpo), Mr. Dmitrevsky, Russian Charge dAaires, and Mrs. Dmitrevsky, M. Frandin, Commissioner of the French Republic, Mr. O. Johnson, H.B.Ms Vice-Consul at Chemulpo, Mr. Kehrburg, Russian Legation, M. Sainson, French Consulate, Mr. Tong, Chinese Consul (Mr. Yuan Sie-ksi, the Imperial Resident, being in Mourning and therefore prevented from attending), Mr. Tsai, Chinese Residency, General Dye, Military Instructor, Seoul, General Le Gendre, Vice-Preident of the Home Oce, Seoul, Mr. F.A. Morgan, Chief Commissioner of Customs, and Mrs. Morgan, Mr. A. Granzella, Corean Customs, Chemulpo, General and Mrs. Greathouse, the Rev. W. B. Scranton, M.D. and Mrs. Scranton with their three little girls, Col. and Mrs. Nienstead, Captain N.P. Anderson, R.C. Pingching, and Mr. Reinsdorf. At the conclusion of the service most of the foreign community called and congradulated the bride and bridegroom and a photograph of the bridal party was taken. The bridegroom and the members of the Diplomatic and Consular bodies were in uniform. The health of the bride and bridegroom was proposed by the President of the Corean Foreign Oce, the speech being translated by the interpreter of the American Legation, Mr. Hong U-kuan. The following day, Mr. von Brandt was received in audience by the King and Crown Prince, Mrs. von Brandt being received separately a little later. His Majesty had sent a number of presents to the bride some days before the wedding, including a handsome gold bracelet, and ring, with Corean pearls. On the evening of the 16th the King and the Crown Prince sent several presents to Mr. von Brandt including some beautiful tiger skins, mats, etc. On the 17th Mr. and Mrs. von Brandt left for Chemulpo, overland, and embarked at the latter place on the revenue cruiser Pingching, which Sir Robert Hart had kindly

107 placed at their disposal. Amongst the presents the bride received from her friends in Corea were a beautiful travelling clock, the joint gift of the foreign diplomatic representatives at Seoul, Mr. Morgan, General Le Gendre, General Dye and Mr. Greathouse, and a beautiful crape shawl, the gift of the junior members of the Legation and Consulates, and some other friends.

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Bibliography
[1] Mrs. James G. Blaine. The Letters of Mrs. James G. Blaine. Dueld, New York, 1908. Edited by H.S.B. Beale. [2] Jean Brown. private communication. 2002. [3] Harold J.Noble. The former foreign settlements in korea. American Journal of International Law, 28(4), October 1929. [4] Allen Johnson, editor. Dictionary of American Biography, volume 3. Charles Scriners Sons, New York, 1931. [5] G.A. Lensen. Balance of Intrigue: International Rivalry in Korea and Manchuria 1884-1899, volume I,II. University Presses of Florida, Tallahassee, 1982. [6] Robert Ne. Private communications. 2002. [7] Ameilia Ransome Neville. The Fantastic City: Memoirs of the Social and Romantic Life of Old San Francisco. Houghton Miin Company, Riverside Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1932. Edited by Virginia Brastow, http://www.zpub.com/sf50/sf/hbtfcidx.htm. [8] Harold Joyce Noble. Korea and her relations with the united states before 1895. PhD Dissertation, U.C. Berkeley, 1931. [9] Sterling Seagrave. Dragon Lady: The life and legend of the last empress of china. Vintage Books, New York, 1992.

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Index
Addie, 25 Allen, 83 Allen, Dr., 11 Allen, Dr. Horace N., 10 Allen, Mrs, 86 Bancroft, Suzanne, 43 Barnes, 23 Barnes, Mrs., 21 Biegeleben, Baron von, 77 Blaine, James G., v, 1, 7 Blaine, Mrs. James G., v, 1 Bocher, M. et Mme Emile, 43 Brandt, Elizabeth von, viii Brandt, Max von, viii, 23, 25, 33, 43, 69 Briggs, Dr., 52 Budler, Herman, 105 Carroll, Mme Royal Phelps, 43 cemetary, foreign, 10 Chefoo, 31 Chemulpo, 8, 10, 11, 18, 23, 35 Cleaveland, Grover, vi Corfe, Bishop, 105 country club, 22 Daly, Judge, 6 Denby, 82 Denby, Charles, 95 Denby, Mr. Charles, 77 Diesen, 42 Dinsmore, Hugh A., 8 Farnum, 31 Foster, Mr and Mrs Alfred Dwight, 94 Gardner, Sarah Russell, 29 Gareld, James G., vi Gray, Augustine Heard, 23, 25, 26, 71 Gray, Elizabeth Chipman, 29, 69 Gray, Harriet, 29, 69 Gray, Horace, 25, 26 Gray, John Chipman, 29 Gray, Judge Horace, 3 Gray, Justice Horace, 29 Gray, Mme (Mrs. Horace Gray), 67 Gray, Mrs. Horace Gray, 29 Gray, Russell, 29 Greathouse, Mrs., 105 Greathouse, Mrs. Elizabeth, 86 Hall, Dr., 98 Harrison, Benjamin, v Hart, Sir Robert, 28, 104 Hayes, Rutherford B., vi Heard Addie, 25 Albert, 9 Heard, Addie, 23, 67 Heard, John, 23, 72 Hermann, Dr., 74 Heron, Dr., 10 Heron, Dr. J.B., 10 Hillier, Mrs Walter Caine, 91 Hillier, Mrs., 23 Hunt, Mme J.H., 42 Johnson, Mme, 65, 67 110

INDEX Johnston, Mme, 43 Johnston, Mr., 8 Johnston, Mrs, 66 Kaiser, viii Kirby & Beard, 58

111 Sherman, John, 6 Shimp, Alexander von, viii Shimp, Peter Alexander von, viii Stanwood, Harriet Bailey (Mrs. James G. Blaine), v Sternburg, Baron von, 77

LHomme, Mme Henri, 51 Taewongun, vii Lamson, Mr., 75 LeGendre, Brigadier General Charles William, Underwood, Mr., 11 17, 58 Upham, Harriet, 29 Li Hi, vii Vissire, Mme, 75 e Li Hsi, vii Lodge, Henry Cabot, 5, 7 West, 13 Low, Mr., 75 Wharton, 83 Low, Mrs, 74 Wiles, Dr., 104 Low, Mrs., 33 Winthrop, Mme Lyndall, 33 Winthrop, Mme Rob., 33 Min, Queen, vii Wintrop, Mme, 93 missionaries, 21 Wonsan, 42 Ne, Robert, 37 Yi, Prince, vii Normandie Hotel, 7 OConor, Sir Nicholas-Roderick, 104 Outrey, Madame, 44 Outrey, Mme, v Parrot, Philippe, 51 Phelps, Hon Wm Walter, 95 Plancy, V. Collin de, 58 Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, 10 Pusan, 42 Queen Victoria, 28 Richards, Sir Fred., 43 Robinson, Mrs, 77 Sackville, Lord, 77 Scranton, Dr. W.B., 10 Scranton, Mrs, 104