Page:A Forbidden Land - Voyages to the Corea (1880).djvu/324

Rh The day following passed without any occurrence worth noting, save that we had again many visitors on board.

At noon next day the cortège of flag-bearers, &c., announced the arrival of the envoys expected from Saoŭl, who soon after embarked, accompanied by the governor of Kangwha. This time Ni-Eung-ini appeared as second, the chief commissary introducing himself by a card upon his arrival on board, in the following terms:—"Pang-Ou-Seu, Envoy of the Government, with order to receive the foreigners well, aged seventy-eight years." Conducted by the two other officials, who treated him with great respect, this very old, but still active and lively gentleman, was received with all honours due to his rank, and soon seemed to feel quite at home. He spoke Chinese very fluently, and better than Ni-Eung-ini. Before the proceedings commenced the latter delivered to me the presents which he had promised to bring from Saoŭl, which consisted of three articles of Corean manufacture, a number of fine straw hats, of white and rose-colour paper fans, strong, but rather clumsily made, and of several dozens of small wooden combs! The production of the latter caused a general outbreak of merriment, but as they had been selected by the donor as a speciality of Corean workmanship, they were accepted with due thanks.

After the completion of the unavoidable formalities, Pang-Ou-Seu began as follows: "I have