The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-17

ladies, ns recorded in this book. They win
then blush for their degeneraoy.
Notwithstanding this sage counsel 1t lie
more than probable that while the power OF
speech remains little unpleasantness will
arise in such complex households.
An unhappy wife cannot seek relief in
the divorce court. Chinese law does not adj
NIT possible cause for discomfort in the
| life Of married woman. She should be
! duly grateful that she is permitted to live
at all, aud not attempt 70 bring scandal
upon her family. A man, OH the contrary,
may divorce his wife II she Is undutlful to
his parents; if she bears him no son; If she
/ is Jealous is lax in her morals; is dishonest;
is leper, and last, buE assuredly not least
| # all-if she is laxative. Truly, our sisters
| in China have very few privileges.
To be divorced is the greatest disgrace
! that can befall "A Chinese woman. If, there
fore, she is pushed too closely to the wall. or
II she has venturei too far upon forbidden
ground, aud the temptations to a voluble
woman are undoubtedly strong, rather than
fare the consequence of her rsshness she
evalls herself of the only loopho]e of escape,
deaths portals. Suicides of young married
women are appalliugly frequent, especially
| in those circles OF society where existence is
regulated by the ritual Of decorum. One
may, with perfect propriety, end life that
is without hope.
The Chinese are as distinctly conserva-
tive in their ideas as the people Of the
United States are progressive. What
always has been is what Away should be,
in their estimation. especially il it j.
Chinese. Their fashions In dress are pre-
historic. The pretty girls OF the Ceiestial
empire delight to array themselves in the
garments Of their great grnndmothers
What then would they think OF young
woman who discards last years gowns be
cause they are too antique. 1t is a pOstu>
late IN Oriental dress that it should conceal
the contour of the body. The appearance
OF tailor-made girl. in the Inner apsrt>
ment, would create CONSERVATION border
ing on panic. We're a Chinese dame of
gentle birth to be suddenly transported TO
the Metropolitan opera house, on gala
night, no amount OF reasoning would con-
vince her chat she was in the company Of
respectable ladies. She would simply be-
lieve her eyes.
The social intercourse OF the sexes as q
matter far beyond the comprehension Of
the Celestial mind. The young men and
maldens never under any circumstances,
meet A father may not even kiss his own
baby daughter after she can walk alone.
Another maxim OF the Decorum Ritual is:
Husbands and wives may not sit together,
their toilet articles must not be used in com
mon. ID passing things from one to another
their hands must not touch, and 1t further
HlVT0 duub, Tlne great shleRuaTu Oh inc
kingdom is the separation OF the sexes by
the rules of proprety"
IL would be difficult TO convince people Of
such rigid views that it Is au actual
crime for a young man to kiss his best girl.
Neither would they deem it within the
bounds of reason for a young couple to
wander by the sea- heat shore, nor to linger
in the moons pale light, whispering words
OF love. A photograph OF the bellies Of Mar
raRansett pier in bathing costume would
certainly be picture to be turned toward
the wall" For ladies who have been taught
from early youth that, Except with her
parent. woman must not drive in a car
risge with any man." the spectacle Of tho
coaching parade might awaken reflections
not tiatterng to the favored fair ones Of
the Four Hundred who there disport them
selves and their fetching gowns.
Whatever the rule of action, however,
human nature seems much the same the
world over. There are, without doubt,
many unhappy wives and turbulent homes
in China. The records OF our divorce courts
show q somewhat similar condition of
domestic affairs in our own country. Not
withstanding all restrictions aud disturbing
elements, there are not a few loving and
well-beloved wives among the Celestials,
and in spite Of, or possibly because Of, our
freedom, we have fully as many. 1t may,
too be safely surmised that in China, as In
America, there are motherA-in-law and
mothsrs-in-law. HARRIET HENRY.