For weeks before the opening ceremonies took place the broad space acquired by the railway for terminal facilities outside the South Gate of Seoul was being prepared for the occasion. Enormous arches of evergreen were erected, a score of temporary buildings of various kinds were put up. The steep hill to the east was laid out with care and many forms of curious and beautiful ornamentation were devised to please and interest the guests of the occasion. In honour of this occasion Prince Fushimi came from Japan to act as chairman of the opening ceremony. He is the son of Prince Fushimi who has lately been travelling in America. In preparation for his coming, the city went through a species of Spring house-cleaning and all the main thoroughfares were covered with a thick coating of fresh red sand. On the momentous day a large company gathered about nine o’clock in the morning. Special trains had been run from Fusan and Chemulpo and besides the great number of Japanese and Korean officials there were upwards of fifty Europeans and Americans present. Gathered under a spacious awning the company had not long to wait before the exercises began. On the platform, Prince Fushimi for Japan and Prince Eui Yang for Korea occupied the places of honor. Various addresses were made in Japanese and in Korean and the Prince declared the railway open. Hon. H. N. Allen made an appropriate speech in English. It was partly reminiscent in character and carried his hearers back to the time when even between Seoul and Chemulpo there was nothing more than a bridle-path. After the formal exercises were over the audience were treated to excellent samples of Japanese histrionic art. Poems were acted in character and though the words were lost upon some of the audience the acting was fully appreciated. About eleven o’clock an elaborate banquet was served in a long pavilion where one thousand guests were seated. After this was concluded and the toasts had been drunk the guests wandered about the extensive grounds and listened to the excellent music discoursed by the Imperial Korean Band, or examined the curious objects of interest which had been prepared by the hosts. In one part of the grounds a company of jugglers drew the attention of many of the guests and in another part trained Japanese wrestlers were exhibiting their skill. Late in the afternoon the guests dispersed, but only to return in the evening and witness the fine display of fire-works, which closed with several set pieces of great beauty.