Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-26
Modern Greek W0u,en

THE CUSTOMS THAT ARE IN VOGUE IN THEIR CIvrI XNn
| RELIGIOUS LIFE.
woman's World for March.
The Greek women OF the upper class are gener-
any clever, well bred, well Informed, and might
rival In accomplishments, culture and converse.
! tional powers their sisters in the West. And the
| Greek ladies Of "The Phanarr at Constautinople
have for centuries been renowned for their ability
and requirements
The advantages OF education are however by
In the towns, but in almost every Village where
there Is q Greek community 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 the rich and poor sit side by
sured tends rather to elevate the tone Of the chill
dren Oh the people than TO deter1orate the man.
ner s, 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 favored countrywomen in
turkey, and are In return idollzed by the scholars
The life Of women Of the shopkeeper and artisan
classes In the towns is still very secluded as It is
consloered an improperly to be seen much out OF
doors, especially Tor young girls who must always
be accompanied by their mothers or some elderly
relative. All occupation in shops is forbidden To
them, nor, unless compelled to by sheer necesSity
will they leave home and take service with Others
some occupy themselves with needlework, lace
making, embroidery ana the home manufacture OF
various small articles; but 1t is only In the SILK
growing districts OF Asia Minor that they are en-
The most striking faults in the Greek womar's
character are her vanity, fondness for dress and
display and jealousy OF the better circumstances
OF her nelghDorS The spirit OF ambitious rivalry
Is often carried TO such excess that the real com
forts OF home lfe are sacrificed to 1t, and many
| display wel-furnished drawing room ana exnen
sive toilets to the public. They are, however very
domesticated, make devoted wives and fond If not
always 1udictous mothers.
Family affection is, perhaps, the noblest trait
| in the Greek character. Nowhere else, / think.
nTag
| nor the women OF family so tenderly cared for
Should the father die the brothers take his place.
ana 80 long as sister OF manageable age re-
mains unportloned and unwed, they will not think
| OF taking wife themselves.
II is customary among the Greeks for q girls
parents TO seek a suitable husband for her. either
personally or through the agency OF Prcxenetra.
| The bride Is lowered according to her station
and presented t with an ample tfousseau stock Of
aration for her for years past The Arravon Or BE-
trothal Is formal ceremony. IL takes place in
| parties. and Is considered almost as binding as
| marriage itself. The Greek wedding Ceremonies
and are ATTENDED with Quaint os Customs hs are
domestic rites, varying according TO locality which
have their origin In the remotest antiquity.
| Though the Greek women in the towns have
| almost entirely discarded their picturesque ma
tonal costumes, they still worn 10 the country
In some districts these costumes bear great re-
| semblance TO those OF the Balgarians, though
without their gaudlness OF color; In others they
consist generally OF skirt OF brightly striped
out-of-door wear fur-llned peliSse Is added The
| HAIR Is braided into numerous treSses and sur.
mounted by small red cap, decorated with gold
and silver coins similar TO those worn as 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 max and silk used for
the garments OF the family. She leads her fathers
flock TO PASTURE and under the title OF vOskOpoula
steals the heart OF shepherd SWANS and Is by them
immortaiized In rustic song. On sundays and feast
| days she rests from her TOLL and. with her CON-
panions dances the antique syrto, or long-drsw
dance on the village green.
III there IL more than one daughter In peasants
family she Is sent cut to service in some neighbOr
Ing town. Very frequently, II the girl is well con
Quoted. ana especially should she happen 70 be on
orphan she Is ndopted as member Of the family
into which she entered as psychopdtn0, or " sou
child In that case II still young, she Is sent Il
scnooi for year or two. Is ci0Jhed and cared for
she receives no wages but when she arrives at u,
| age OF twenty 1--WE or SIX she Is lowered and mar
rieo from the house OF her adoption.
Fire Saturday az North Baltimore, Wood county