Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-04-26
Modern Greek Women.

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 "Phanar" at
ConstantinOple have for centuries been re-
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 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, l am assured, tends rather TO
elevate the tone OF the children of the people
than to deteriorate the manners of the better
bred.
The most striking faults in the Greek wom-
ans character are her vanity, fondness for
dress and display, and jealousy of the better
circumstances OF her nelghbors The spirit of
ambitious rivalry is often carried to such ex.
cess that the real comforts OF home life are
sacrificed 10 1t: and many live poorly aud dress
mcanly at 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 judiclous mothers.
Family affection is, perhaps, the noblest
Characteristic Of the Greek character. No
where else, / think, does one see fraternal
love so strongly developed, nor the women OF
the family so tenderly cared for. Should tie
father die the brothers take his place, and so
long rs sister OF manageable age remains
unpoTtioncd and unwcd 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 I'm the
country. In some districts these costumes
bear IA great resemblance to those OF the Bull
garlans, though without their gaudiness Of
color; In others they consist generally Of a
skirt OF brightly striped stuff, and an EN-
brodered cloth jacket, while FOR out OF door
wear fur-lined pelisse is added. The hair is
braided into numerous tresses, and surmOun l.
eel by small red cap decorated with gold and
silver coins similar to those worn as n neck
lace
A Greek peasant girl takes an active part in
household duties, and helps to 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 the pasture, and uu-
der the title Voskopoula steals the hearts OF
shepherd SWANS, and is by them immortalized
in rustic song. On Sundays and feast DAYS
she rests from her toll, and with her compan.
ions dances the antique SyrtO, or long-drawn
dance on the village green.
II there is more than one daughter IN n
PEASANTS family she is sent out TO service III
some neighborng town. Very frequently, If
the girl is well conducted, and especially
should she happen to be an orphan, she is
adopted as a member OF the family into which
she entered ms Il ISyehtd dd, or soul child"
Ia that case, If still Young she Is sent to
school for year or two, is clothed and cared
for She receives no wages. but when she ar.
rves at the aye OF TWENTY-FIVE or six she s
lowered and married from the house OF her
adoption. - WOmdjtS World.