The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-09-10
BRAZILIAN WOMEN.
BIZ MARIAN MOORE.

Society IN Brazil Is divided in three
distinct claSses-the aristocratS, the mid
die and the lower classes: The ladies OF
the upper class are updeniably beautiful
They have raven black hair, white teeth
and perfect forms; and if it were not for
the enormous amount of plaster-of-paris
enamel with which they cover their faces
they might have lovely, creamy complex
ions. But their wondrous eyes are. the
chief and never-ending charm-large,
dark, lustrous and full of expression,
throwing more meaning into a single
glance than ar hours conversation could
possibly convey; for though attractive
a d captivating in their simplicity and
grace, they may not be able to write a
single sentence correctly-for the educa-
ton OF women is not considered essential
to their happiness. They learn embroid-
cry and music indifferently, and spend
their lives in rocking chairs and ham
mocks, e v reading a book of any de-
scription.
The girls are very fond Of their dolls,
taking them where yer they go, even to
church; and lever give up playing with
them until they are married, which is
generally between the ages of twelve and
sixteen years, thus early assuming the
important and responsible duties of life.
Young mothers, little more than twenty,
with four or five small children are no
uncommon sight.
Brazilian ladies never go out, even in
daytime, without the family or a servant;
they seldom go out at all. They do not
have gentlemen visitors, and if a young
man who has been associated with a girl
in childhood, or who by some accident is
allowed to visit the family, ecomes>s
lover he is Immediately excluded from
the house and the cou1tship proceeds
from the balcony to the street. If notes
are exchanged it is done secretly, never
through the mail. Often a gentleman
sees a lady for the first time on a balcony,
at the opera or at church and falls in love
with her. A courtship like the above en-
sues; they become engaged, frequently
without knowing more of each other
than they can learn from inquiry; know
nothing of each others minds, tastes,
characters or dispositions. was told of
a gentleman who thus courted a gil for
eight long years and left her three months
after marriage.
If a Brazilian girl should walk with a
gentleman not her relative, IN the day
time, it would ruin her.
If the lover desires an engagement to
the ball or opera, or a promenade with
his. sonora, he must first propose at head
quarters, then seek her pleasure, and if
she accord the whole family goes along.
Among the lower classes there are
plenty of women who 60 about the streets
with bare, brown feet thurst in small
Turkish slippers whose heels cIatter along
the dusty pavement in the most slipshod
style. These women lead simple, pur-
poseless lives, going to mass every morn
ing where they may be seen ,kneeling
throughout the entire service, as no seats
are provided in their churches. In the
evening they are found sitting in groups
on the ground, their nude children around
them, smoking their long-stemmed pipes
and gossiping with their neighbors OF the
passers-by. Their dress generally CON
sists of n garment, a loose hanging
skirt with straps over the shoulders, and
reaching but little below the knee. Their
arms and necks are always bare, and it
makes not the slightest difference whether
strangers are present or not. They seem
perfectly happy and contented with their
lives, and are always ready to chat with
anyone they happen to me t.