Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-04-20
Modern Greek Women.

The Greek women OF the upper class are
generally clever, well bred, well informed and
might rival In accompl shments, culture and
conversational powers their sisters OF the west.
And the Greek ladies' OF the "Phanar' at
ConsIantlnOple have for centuries been 20
nowned for their ability and requirements.
The advantages OF education are, however,
by no means restricted TO the upper class, for
not only in towns, but in almost every village
where there is a Greek community, schools
have been founded In which the instruction
given to girls ranges from the simplest ele-
mentary lessons to ancient Greek, psychology
and mathematics. Here the children OF rich
and poor sit side by side In the same class. a
practice which, am assured. tends rather to
elevate the tone Of the children OF the people
than to deterlorate the manners OF the better
bred.
The most striking faults In the Greek WON
ans character are her vanity, fondness for
dress aud display, and jealousy OF the better
circumstances OF her neighbors. The spirit OF
ambitious rivalry Is often carried to such ex-
cess that the real comforts OF home life are
sacrificed to II and many live poorly and dress
meanls al home, in order TO display well
furnished drawing room and expensive holt
day toilets to the public They are, however,
very domestic make devoted wives, and fond,
If not ALWAYS judicIous, mothers.
Family affection is, perhaps, the noblest
characteristic Of the Greek character. No.
where else, | think, does one sec fraternal
love SO strongly developed, nor the women OF
the family so tenderlv cared for. Should the
father die the brothers take his place, and SO
long a. sister OF marriageable age remains
unportoned and uuwed they will not think Of
taking wife themselves.
Though the Greek women In the towns have
almost entirely discarded their picturesque
national costumes, they are still worn In the
country In some districts these costumes
bear a great resemblance To those Of the Bull
garans, though without their gaudness OF
color; IN others they consist generally OF a
skirt Of brightly striped stun, and an EN-
broidered cloth jacket. while FOR out OF door
wear fur-lned pelisse IS added. The hair is
braided into numerous tresses, and surmOunt-
ed by a small red cap decorated with gold and
silver coins similar TO those worn as a neck
lace.
Greck peasant girl takes an active part in
household duties, and helps 10 spin, card.
wind and weave or knit the wool, flax and
silk used for The garments Of the family. She
leads her fathers flock 10 the pasture, and un-
der the title Noskououa stea.s the hearts OF
shepherd SWANS, aud is by them immortalized
in rustic song. On Sundays and feast davs
she rests from her toll, and with her compsn-
lpus uahces tic antique SyFtoi or IOug-drANn
dance on the village green.
II there i more than one daughter In a
PEASANTS family she is sent out 10 service IN
some neighboring town. Very frequently Il
the girl IS well conducted, and especially
should she happen TO be au orphan She f.
adopted as a member OF the family INTO which
she entered rs jSych,d On, or soul child. "
In that case, II still Young. she Is sent 10
school for a year or two, is clothed aud cared
for She receives no wage. but when she ar
ryrs al the age Of twenty five or six she is
lowered and married from the house OF her
adoption. - UOndiis World