a large peninsula of Asia, formed on one side by the Yellow Sea, and on the other by the Sea of Japan. It is situated immediately to the east of China; and its length may be estimated at 400 miles, by 150 in average breadth. A great part of what was formerly supposed to be its western coast was found by Captains Hall and Maxwell to consist of an immense archipelago of small islands, which have since been subdivided into several groups, and are known as Amherst's Islands, the Corean, and Hall's Archipelago. The largest of these is the island of Quelpaert, called by the natives Musa, in the centre of which there is a mountain peak about 6000 feet above the level of the sea. Though rocky and bare, these groups are for the most part inhabited. The peninsula itself is divided from the Japanese island of Kiusin by the straits of Corea, and by a high mountain range called the Shanalin or Champeshan, from the country of the Mantchoos. It embraces an area of about 95,000 miles, with a population of about eight millions. The interior of the country is rugged and mountainous, being intersected by a lofty branch of the northern range; which in turn sends off numerous offshoots to the sea. The principal valleys lie towards the western and southern coasts, and these districts alone enjoy a temperate climate. The eastern coast is bleak and precipitous, while the northern frontier is cold and desolate, and thus subserves the purposes of despotism by cutting off all friendly communication with the mainland. The principal products of the country comprise wheat, millet, rice, ginseng, tobacco, silk, cotton, and hemp. The three last are exported both in the raw and manufactured state. Timber and cattle are plentifully supplied from the forests and pasture-grounds, as well as furs from the northern jungles. Its mineral wealth is said to include gold, silver, iron, rock-salt, and coal; and from the tribute sent to the emperor of China—consisting both of bullion and manufactured articles—the precious metals seem to be brought to a considerable extent. The Coreans resemble the Japanese and Chinese in dress, habits, and religion, but are said to be as inferior to either of these in mental vigour as they are superior in strength and stature. Their mode of writing is alphabetic, and they are said to possess an extensive literature; but as all ingress into the country is denied to Europeans, and all egress to natives, little is known of these particulars. They keep up considerable commercial intercourse with China and Japan, whence they import pepper, aromatic woods, alum, and goods of Dutch manufacture; but most of the trade is managed by a circuitous overland route, and, being discouraged by the government, is carried on with secrecy and at considerable risk. The kingdom of Corea, although tributary to China, is governed at will by its own king—the Chinese emperor doing little more than formally ratifying his decrees. It is divided into eight provinces; and contains, according to Chinese accounts, 161 towns. The capital, King-ti-tao, stands on the river Kiang, a small stream which flows into the Yellow Sea. It is the residence of the king, and contains, amongst other things, an extensive library. In modern times a few French missionaries have penetrated into the country, but with little success.