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 CHAPTER XVII.

The Village Marriage.

subject of this chapter is one that creates an interest wherever named and in whatever language spoken. There is perhaps no people among whom it has a larger place than the Koreans. From the day one is born, the chief concern of the parents and near relatives will be that of a suitable marriage. Hence the negotiations for such marriage are often begun at a very early age and carried on to completion without any consent on the part of those whom it most effects. Let it be clearly understood that the business of every Korean is to get married. And the sooner this business is completed, the better satisfied those will be upon whom it devolves to see that it is carried out. Early marriage is the rule, and I might say that this is a rule almost without exception, so far as the girls are concerned. It has been said time and again with much truth: "There are no old maids in Korea." There are doubtless many girls in this country who, if left to their own choice, would not marry; but as they have no choice in the matter, they must submit to those who have the care of them as parents or guardians.

On one occasion one of our Christian men was talking with me about arranging a marriage for one of the girls in a mission school. I insisted that the girl should be allowed to remain in school for several (158)