, 1884-12-21
MRS. All SIN.
INDOOR LIFE OF CHINESE LADIES OF
RANK.
Houses of the Rich BIandarins-A Chinese
P~arIor-Tho-e who Have Small
Feet-women OF the Work
Ing Classes-Features.

IN. o. Times Democrat Translation from Figaro.l
Far less mysterious and poetical than the
yelled women OF our own Mediterranean
Orient-Turkish, Egyptian, Syrian, Mo.
rescue, Arablan-the great Chinese ladies
lead, nevertheless, an indoor life, beyond tbs
reach OF vulgar eyes or public contact.
When they do go out, they arc always &C
c~ompanied by numerous servants, tho palan-
quin Is entirely closed up, its windows nrs
covered with curtains OF unpenetrable gauzs,
one cannot even distinguish the shape Of the
woman within the palanquin-which Is al
ways decorated with the insignia OF the
privileged class.
A mandarin's wife must not show herself
under risk Of being sullied by the gaze OF the
populace. She shares the honors of her hus-
band, gives parties in her own house, visits
her female friends, but tho street Is forbid
den TO her.
In the houses Of the rich mandarins there
arc always several courts-little open yards
through which one has TO pass before
reaching tho female apartments, which are
always separated from those Of the
men. Tho married people alone occupy the
same room; every other member Of tho
family must occupy n separate room.
The most Injurious Chimes upholstery and
furniture never invites one TO idle repose-in
fact the best furnished house Is barely COM
Portable. Tho bed has no spring; but has a
number OF little cotton mattresses covered
with six; and padded counterpanes which
nre all rolled up in ono mass during the day.
Such n bed represents a perfect square,
covered ike a catnialque- The lighter furni-
ture. Of a very handsome hard wood, ars
stiff-looking; the tables are usually heavy,
massive, SOLID but nave seen some light
ones made Of bamboo.
Chinese parlor always looks like q coun-
eli hah against tho center OF tho wall at
tho further end, n divan Is always placed,
covered with very thin mattresses AT
either side Is a row OF chairs; and on the
hoor beside each chair Is a magnificent por-
ceiain Vnses-precisely the same as those
Chinese vases we use Tor mantelpiece orna-
ments-these vases are USED SIMPLY as spit
toons.
Lanterns symmetrlcahy disposed, MI the
parior win a pale hght Nothing ever APP
pears oisturreu, or ever animated, IN THESE
vast ana glaclni rooms during winter ram
iuily inc Chinese ladies' move thelr little feet
over tne snppery hoors' or oVer striPS OF
reklh carpet
Chinese ladies' wear robes OF silk OF any or
every color; their frghtful little feet pro
trude from the legs OF straight pairof satin
pantAioons-mue K the European gar
ment IN form ihe custom OK martyrizing
the ieet Always hiteck he legs, winch IN
Vnrlnoiy Ueone uhh' alropnien OF oe'
iormed-
Litue rect are not adnntoed 10 inc mper-
ial court only me ughter OF tartar gem
erals are admitted TO the eInperors palace
anu THESE iaI.ar g~is are never SunJecteo 70
the torture Oh having their teet oetormed.
Inc mar Oh tue Chinese women Is tnick'
piacK' smootn' without ever a CLEAN NIL
--oeau piack' lnis is one OF the Things "nicn
40 not ADMIRE IN tnemi put IL distinct
cnaracuerstc OF tne race
Inc Chinese women love their children;
and are mnch loved and respected by them