Dr. Allen, Secretary to the U.S. Legation at Seoul, in a paper in the _Korean Repository_ for 1886, describes among the dances which specially interest foreigners at the entertainments at the Royal Palace one known as the “Lotus Dance.” In this, he writes, “A tub is brought in containing a large lotus flower just ready to burst open. Two imitation storks then come in, each one being a man very cleverly disguised. These birds flap their wings, snap their beaks, and dance round in admiration of the beautiful bud which they evidently intend to pluck as soon as they have enjoyed it sufficiently in anticipation. Their movements all this time are very graceful, and they come closer and closer to the flower keeping time to the soft music. At last the proper time arrives, the flower is plucked, when, as the pink petals fall back, out steps a little _gesang_ to the evident amazement of the birds, and to the intense delight of the younger spectators.” The Sword and Dragon dances are also extremely popular, and on great occasions the performance is never complete without “Throwing the Ball,” which consists in a series of graceful arm movements before a painted arch, after which the _gesang_ march in procession before the King, and the successful dancers receive presents. Though the most beautiful and attractive _gesang_ come from Phyöng-yang, they are found throughout the country. From the King down to the lowest official who can afford the luxury, the presence of _gesang_ is regarded at every entertainment as indispensable to the enjoyment of the guests. They appear at official dinners at the Foreign Office, and at the palace are the chief entertainers, and sing and dance at the many parties which are given by Koreans at the picnic resorts near Seoul, and though attached to the prefectures, and various other departments, may be hired by gentlemen to give fascination to their feasts. Their training and non-secluded position place them, however, outside of the reputable classes, and though in Japan _geishas_ often become the wives of nobles and even of statesmen, no Korean man would dream of raising a _gesang_ to such a position. Dr. Allen, who has had special opportunities of becoming acquainted with the inner social life of Korea, says that they are the source of much heartburning to the legal but neglected wife, who in no case is the wife of her husband’s choice, and that Korean folklore abounds with stories of discord arising in families from attachments to _gesang_, and of ardent and prolonged devotion on the part of young noblemen to these girls, who they are prevented from marrying by rigid custom. There is a Korean tale called _The Swallow King’s Rewards_ in which a man is visited with the “ten plagues of Korea,” for maltreating a wounded swallow, and in it _gesang_ are represented along with _mu-tang_ as “among the ten curses of the land.”