The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-27

place In creation is very clearly defined. In
Mohammedan eyes "womau's sphere is
home" She must not be seen by men other
than her immediate family. When Mr..
Webb once gave a lecture TO number Of
Mohammedan ladies. they we're hid benin d
latticed screens, while he sLood in this center
of the apartment and talked to an audience
that he could not see. The "purdah" sys-
tenn OF covering the face with a veil is not
obligatory, being, in fact perverston OF
Mohamrned's command that 1.-The women
should dress modestly. reserving their
charms for their husbands" This
the women OF tho peasantry do.
very thoroughly covering themselves
from head to foot with a sort Of white mus
lin bag with two openings for the eyes,
further covered with mosquito netting. The
Mohammedan woman knows nothing OF
lenten sewing classes, muslcales or dances.
She hires Der dancing done, and as for
music, considers it actually immoral for
woman to play the piano. She will not
know or care whether crinoline comes IN,
aud the sight OF a decollete ball gown would
turn her blue.
WHEKE SHE IS BEHIND THE AGE.
For her no courtship-no diamond ring to
show the other girls, no tlance at all for any
or @ to see, not even herself. This state OF
affairs Mr. Webb has the face to uphold.
Suppose a young man wishes 20 marry and
his parents know that a friend has mar
riageable daughter. They find out
the young woman's looks, her many
virtues and womanly accomplishments.
and report to o son. Then the
parents meet and decide upon the dowry
that shall be paid tor her, the amount al
ways a certain proportion OF the means OF
the man. The sizs of the dowry has MOTH
log to do with the beauty OF the bride, be-
cause the groom does not see her until the
t0TnhAg
and pageantry bringing the bride 20 meet
her betrothed for the first time. This must
be highly interesting TO both parties, hav-
ing all the good features OF the prize
package system, with none Of its draw
backs.
WHEREIN SHE HAS THE BEST OF 1T.
So far, the Mohammedan system has
rather left the young women out OF the
question, but once married, 1t looks out Tor
her rights in the most praiseworthy way.
She is not dependent financially upon her
husbands bJunty-a stated proportion OF bis
income is hers by the law, De cannot in
terfere in the housekeeping accounts-the
home is her Kingdom. and its administra-
ton her own affair, which he enjoys, but
does not attempt to supervise. No asking
where the g. bill is that he gave her lass
month no panied surprise when 1t Is neces~
sary to send up seven pounds OF sugar.
Under this system woman's domestic virtues
ought to thrive and do, so Mr.. Webb says.
Strange, isn't #, and just a little irritating,
to find that the genuine heather settled one
of our mooted questions more than /, 900
years agol
Marriage under Islam is g civil contract,
and can be dissolved at any time by mutual
consent, il husband and wife find that the
prize package system has been failure IN
their case. In case Of divorce, the wife's
dowrY is paid her, thus making her hnan-
cially independent OF course both parties
are at once free to marry again. 1t will be
noticed that another OF Chicago's claims to
emlnence has gone forever. An entire Sura
Of the Koran and many separate passages
are gwen to this subject, and the variety OF
laws seems adapted TO meet every possible
exigency; in fact. the Mohammeoan mar
ried woman, fulfilling her highest earthly
aim in being such, is rewarded throughout
with Justice and consideration.
The Mohammedan widow cannot be dis
inherited, nor her children. There are no
breaking OF willis or law suits under the
crescent. The paternal governmental steps In
and gives the wife her share, fixed proper
tion OF ner husband goods aud so also with
the children. A siss raj a man dying with
out issue inherits haff5f what be leaves. II
there be two sisters they have between them
two-thirds Of what he leaves.
SHE HAS EQUAL RIGHTS IN HEAVEN.
And finally. when the Mohammedan
woman dies and goes TO that paradise which