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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 476, 15 February 1881, Page 3

A pecular custom in Corea is thug described by ft recent traveller—" In cities and small townships, its considered a groat offence against modesty and custom, whenever a woman is met in the public streets in the daytime, and they quit their apartments hardly ever during the day. To indemnify them for this strictly kept up seclusion, the following remarkable ar ranginent has beeu made. Ac 9 o'clock in the evening during the summer, and at an early hour in the winter time, the city gnten of Saoul and other towns are closed at a given signal. As soon as this has taken place all men aro bound to leave the streets, and these are abandoned to the women for the purpose of recreation and promenading. Any male finding himself by accident belated and behind the appointed time in the streets is 6uro to hurry to his house as fast as possible without looking up or regnrding anything about him, and severe punishment would fall upon any person daring in the face of the stringent prohibition to molest women in the least. Good breeding demands from ;my inun, and this is ahvnys done, to cover his i'ac-.' with a fun, as Boon as he encounters Indict.; walking dining these hours, so that hu may not be recognised, and walk over to the other side of the street so as not to disturb or terrify them."