ON VIEW AT THE STHEET CORNER.

Southland Times, Issue 19036, 2 May 1903, Page 1 (Supplement)

ON VIEW AT THE STHEET CORNER.

barbarous a good many may be described as humorous, apt, and, except to the victim, entertaining. For instance there is the kangue, or wooden necklace, which, although originating from Corea, is common to both China and Japan. It is not a very cruel punishment ; but it is decidedly distressing, as well as being very humiliating. The kangue is a penalty which is visited on thieves, vagabonds, and, not infrequently, on officials who are caught in acts of oppression, or in attempts to impose illegal taxes. Though the seat of much corruption, Corea is, seemingly, governed by an Emperor who is desirous Of doing right in checking the extortions of his immediate officials ; and, with this object, invites people throughout his country to report any transgression, with a view to the infliction of the punishment named. For the rank is less than " the guinea stamp " in the strange country named. What counts there is " worth," the latter being appraised on the basis of what is acceptable to the ruling authority. Thus, the magistrate of today may be the prisoner of to-morrow, and the slave of the passing moment awake to find himself clothed in " the imago of authority." For this reason some of the sting of punishments like the wooden neoklace is taken away, as no man knows whan his own turn may come, lending to the system an air of democracy which is as comforting as it is entertaining.