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and overdrinking, I presume, Max. Great game. Perhaps we should institute a poetryetc online version. The roads will be safe. Bill On 20/06/2013, at 3:21 PM, Max Richards <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > From the Korean palace garden guide > > > > Set in the deep woods > > in the western part of the garden, > > is a sacred place for ancestral rites. > > > > There was a place for composing poetry, > > a setting for contemplation, > > a venue for banquets, > > and an archery range. > > > > The royal family went fishing > > and boating on the pond > > and fireworks was sometimes displayed here. > > > > Here the king and queen also > > engaged farming > > and raised silkworms. > > > > One pavilion in this area > > was for state exams conducted > > in the presence of the king. > > > > This pavilion which seems to be a lotus flower > > in bloom on the pond > > is designated as a Treasure > > – number 1769. > > > > The king once said ‘I love the lotus because > > it blooms with such clean and beautiful flowers, > > however dirty the water may be, > > symbolizing the virtue of a true gentleman.’ > > > > A brook flows through the deep valley north. > > Sometimes the king and his officials set afloat > > their wine cups on the water while they wrote poetry. > > > > When a wine cup was sent to a specific person, > > The recipient had to drink the wine > > then compose an impromptu poem and recite it. > > If he could not, he had to drink > > three cups of wine as punishment. > > > > This type of party soon became > > widely popular among high society. > > > > The kings of Korea tended to die > > about forty-six years of age. > > Their lives were short because of > > overwork, overeating, > > and too many concubines. > > > > Max Richards > > (now back in Melbourne) > > > > >