The Portland daily press., 1888-04-28
WOMEN OF MODERN GREECE.
Still Hedged in by Restriction, but
on the Whole Very Well Treated.
Cwoman's world.l

The Greek women Of the upper class are
generally clever, well-bred, well-informed,
and might rival in accomplishments, culture
and conversational powers their sisters of
the West. And the Greek ladies Of "The
Phana-" at Constantinople have for eentu-
ries been renowned for their ability and ac-
quirements.
The advantages of education are, however,
by no means restricted to the upper class,
for not only in the towns, but in almost ev-
cry village where there is Greek commu-
nifty, schools have been founded in which
the instruction given to girls ranges from the
simplest elementary 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, l am
assured, tends rather to elevate the tone of
the children of the people than to detero-
rate the manners of the better-bred. The
teachers in these rural schools are often
young women from Athens who have left
home and country to improve the condition
of their less-fayOred c0untry-women in Tur-
KEY and are in return idolized by the sehol-
ars and their mothers.
The life of women of the shOpkeeper and
artisan classes in the towns is still very Sc
cluded, as it is considered an improperly to
be seen much out of doors, especially for
MED by their mothers or some elderly rela-
tive. All occupation in shops is forbidden
to them, nor, unless compelled by sheer
necessity, will they leave home and take
service with others. Some occupy them
selves with needlework, lace-making, en-
broidery, and the home manufacture Of vari-
GUS small articles but it is only in the silk
growing districts of Asia Minor that they are
employed in che factories.
The most striking faults in the Greek
MOI ans oh not a raj
for dress and display, and Jealousy of the
better circumstances of her neighbors. The
spirit of ambitious rivalry is often carried to
such excess that the real comforts of home
life are sacrificed to it, and many live poorly
and dress meanly at home, in order to display
awell-furnished drawing-room and expensive
holiday toilettes to the public. They are,
however, very domesticatcd, make devoted
wives, and fond, if mot always judicious
mothers.
Family affection is, perhaps, the noblest
trait in the Greek character Nowhere else,
| think, does one see fraternal love SO strong
ly developed, nor the women of family so
tenderly cared for, Should the father die,
the brothers take his place; and SO long as
sister of manageable age remains unpor.
toned and unwed, they will not think OF
taking wife themselves.
1t is customary among the Greeks for a
girls parents to seek suitable husband for
her, either personally UT through the agency
of prerenetrd. The bride is lowered ac-
cOrding to her station, and presented with an
ample trouSseau, stock OF household linen,
ETC., which have been in preparation for her
for years past. The drTGU0n, or betrothal,
is formal ceremony. 1t takes place in the
presence of the relatives of the contracting
parties and Is considered almost as binding
as marriage itself. The Greek wedding eere-
monies are too numerous to admit of n de-
scription here, and are attended with quaint
old customs and domestic rites, varying ac-
cording to locality, which have their origin in
the remotest antiquity.
Though the Greek women in the towns
have almost entirely discarded their pictur-
esque national costumes, they are still worn
in the country In some districts these cos
tunes bear a great resemblance to those of
the Bulgarians, though without their gaud-
ness of color; in others they consist generally
of skirt of brightly striped stuff and an en-
broidered cloth jacket, while for out-of-doOr
wear fur-lined peliSse is added. The hair
Is braided into numerous .resses, and sur
mounted by small red cap decorated with
gold and silver coins similar to those worn as
a necklace,
A Greek peas2nt-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 to pasture, and, under
the title of rOskop0uld, steals the heart OF
shepherd-swains, and is by them Immortal
lized in rustic song. On Sundays ana least
days she rests from her toll, and. with her