The National tribune., 1893-04-27

aspiration to do perfectly-is 1t not religion
practicalizedP This striving for perfection
brings about true culture. Have you never
met humble men and women who read little,
who knew little, yet who had a certain faseina-
ton as of fneness lurking about them
Know them, and you are likely to find them
persons who have put so much thought ana
honesty and conscientious trying into their
common work-it may be sweeping rooms, or
planning boards, or painting walls-haVe put
their ideals so long, so constantly, SO lovingly
into that common work of theirs, that hnaiIy
these qualities have come to permeate not
their work only, but 30 much or their being
that they are fne-fbered within, even II On
the outside the rough bark elings. Without
being schooled they are apt to instinctiveiy
detect sbam-oue test of culture. Without
haunting the drawing rooms they are likely to
have manners of quaint grace and gracious
ness-another test of culture. Without sing
ing lessons, their voices are apt to be gentle
another test of culture. Without knowing
about art, as so called, they know and love the
best in one thing-sre artists in their own
little speciality of work. They make good
company, these men and women-why2 Be-
cause, not having been able to realize their
Ideal. they have idealized their Real, and thus
in the depths of their nature have true
culture"
While the American women are solving the
suffrage, temperance and Browning questions
the Japanese women have one absorbing prob
lem-Whether they will adopt the European
10 hxz
one Japanese woman: 1.-The ladies who are
not accustomed to decision, cannot but feel great
pain in their bosom how to make best" II
will take these little ladies many years to learn
to wear the costumes gracefully. never having
been accustomed to high-heeled shoes, tight
stays, or to the wearing of rings in their ears
or of dead birds as part of their attire. Their
garments like those of the Greek and Roman
women, are graceful and healthful. The attire
consists Of kind of pettcoat made of rec
tangular piece of stuff, fastened around the
waist and reaching to the knees. Over this is
worn the "jiban." 1t is perfectly simple in cut
and hangs straight and close to the figure.
The sleeves are square. The material is gen.
orally some pale-hued crepe. In Winter
another garment exactly like this in cut is
worn over IT, Inc outer ufeSS-bno klmOnO,
is made of some pretty cotton stuff for ordi-
nary wear and of silk or silk crepe for dress
occasions The "hosoobi" is a long soft sash
wound round the waist many times; then
comes the most striking part of the japanese
costume-the "ob." 1t is piece of the thick
est silk brocade nearly a yard wide and four
yards long. 1t costs anywhere from s. to $500
and is their chiefest pride. The tying of it in
a great square bow involves quite a deal of
taste and skill The shoes have a separate
place for the great toe and are made Will soles
of thickly- woven white cotton, the tops being
of white silk Sometimes little chemisette
of white embroidered stuff is worn under the
kimono and it's little edge shows around the
neck of the gown.
The bread and butter plates are slowly max
ing their way towards general approval. They
are smaller than fruit plates and are most
daintily decorated as rule. AS an adjunct to
the table they really are useful. They are placed
;,,o havOpd he dinuar-ulofa Tha n