The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-24
WHERE WIDOWS DIE OF GRIEF.
Marriage and Divorce In
the Flowery Kingdom.

- worse; they were allowed little or no
S-o0dom of will, action or opinion. Young
lis lived in the strictest retirement in
Sa;r fathers house. They were treated
.-;th contempt by everyone, and especially
,bair own brothers. They knew nothing of
ne Measures of childhood or youth, and re-
soived little instruction except in the use of
tSa needle. Then, as now, a young girl of
q a. manageable age was treated as piece Of
w In former times cir l-children were some
.;,,ae killed at birth but this practice was
.,ot 90 general or SO frequent as has often
hsen alleged. This crime was most common
among the poorer classes, who could not
sfford to bring up daughters. In short, the
son was looked upon as support and the
Jauohter as a burden. Among the Chinese
*bey are very free with congratulations and
trood wishes on the birth of a son, but when
e girl is born they says "Well, maidens are
also necessary"
"a many vague ideas prevail about the
email feet of Chinese women that l will de-
vote few words to the subject
Even the learned men can fix no certain
origin to this custom. The story goes that
tba Empress Talkln (of the Shang dynasty,
%sd cnb-feet, and the Emperor commanded
the court ladies to initiate their mistress. Il
.yss necessary to bring about the desired
afFect by artificial means. According to
another tradition favorite Of an Emperor
syas compelled to have her foot tightly ban
daged on account of an accident, and the
court ladies at once initiated the custom
thus established.
SOW THE WoMEN'S FEET ARE MADE SMALL.
The feet of Chinese women are made
small In very simple manner The pro-
cess begins at the age OF 5 or years. The
foot is tightly bound, so that the circulation
49,
gether. The bandaged foot is inserted in a
Snort, narrow pointed shoe. in the heels Of
which block of wood is placed, so that the
girl appearSto be standing on her toes.
Sometimes bandages are wound around
over the shoe. The foot, of course, grows
smaller, but in consequence of the shrink
ing Of the skin, seems round and plump
Stockings are not worn. If everything
goes all right the foot assumes the desired
form in two or three years, being gradually
ehriveled up. The poor girls often have to
undergo great pain. Sometimes the skin
and flesh bursts under the terrible pressure,
and occasionally incurable injuries result.
III is dangerous to hasten the process, and
especially so when at the beginning of the
operations the girls are beyond the usual
age. Not infrequently the attempt is made
with a Is or 16.year old daughter. In such
cases the process is difficult, for the foot has
almost reached its full growth, and the pain
is unbearable.
The soles Of the shoes are from three
TO four inches thick. The girl appears,
therefore, to be taller than she really is,
and walks with an uncertain and affected
gait.
This practice of reforming the feet pre-
walls only among the upper classes and
those that affect the manners and customs
of their superiors in rank. Among the
aOwer classes, where the deformity would
unfit girl for necessary labor, the feet are
allowed to grow naturally. This establishes
a sort of caste sign. The father of a tiny
footed maiden will not permit her to marry
a man whose mother or sisters have not
artifcially diminutive feet. The written
laws of the land do not refer to this Gus
tom in any way it would be much as if
American legislation should deal with tight
aacing.
A QUEER CHINESE WEDDING,
The instances of marriage where the bride
brings her husband dot are not SO fire.
quent as formerly. Almost always the
wooer in reality buys his wife from her
father. In addition to this the parents of
the girl receive from those of her afflanced
more or less valuable presents of rice, wine
or silks. Children are often betrothed at
very early age. Sometimes friends agree
even before the birth of children that in
case they are of different sexes that on
reaching the proper age they shall be mar
Tied. Such agreements are religiously re-
garded.
On her part the maiden rises early on her
wedding morning, battles, while band of
musicians outside discourse alleged music,
clothes herself, breakfasts on food sent by
her intended parents in-law. She only takes
few bites, however, as it is considered q
good omen for her to eat abstemlously
Before she takes her place in the sedan
chair 1t Is her duty in company with her
mother to weep copiously. This part of the
ceremony is frequently observed even in
more civilized lands. The procession then
proceeds to the house of the bride, where
the groom awaits her at the gate.
1t Is an unwritten law that everyone,
poor ana rich alike, must remain standing
When a wedding procession passes, as it
was recently the universal custom in Italy
Goremove ones hat as funeral went by.
III emma even mandarin must observe this
custom, and If he meets the poorest wedding
traln, even though he be on horseback, it is
MS duty to dismount and show this honor
10 the young couple.
among strange customs and laws that
concern marriage in China may be men
t ioneu the regulation that persons bearing
ene same name are not allowed to marry.
30 1t comes that the children of two broth
ers cannot wed, while it is perfectly permissi-
pc LOT tnec children of two sisters or of a
TTro1her and sister to marry if so inclined.
~ Is considered dishonorable for man to
marry widow. This only happens among
tne very poor classes-with men, because it
cosIs less to marry widow thar maiden;
WIN the women, in order to receive a per-
Aianent means of support.
WIDOWS OFTEN sELF-SLAIN.
=, A widow is spoken of as the 'bearer of
!; que e wilte hem" as white-edged garment
inc sign of mourning The usual color
worn by wife during the life of her hus-
pahd Is red. - The period of mourning is
."enty-seven months for widow and nine
inonths FOR widower. Widows often live
WIN their husbands parents after his
ueeath, especially if they are well-to-do. 1t
o.Oeh happens that they commit suicide In
S s cases the cause is usually not grief
t ti the dead husband, but fear of want in
s Sne future The most approved method of
sell-destructlon is hanging This act fire.
!uehtly takes places in public, and even in
.ne presence Of officials. Triumphal arches
Widows
q, IL bridegroom dies before the wedding,
t tne maiden is at liberty TO be again be-
T. tG!tued, IN case she does not prefer suicide.
~ Is not easy, however, for the girls to find
o "uother wooer, for the death of the first is
considered ominous.
NJ. ~ tne greater part of China Except per-
,"'ps The province Of Chantung) polygamy
prevails. A Chinaman is practicable free |