The age-herald., 1900-07-17
NO HARDSHIPS FOR
 CHINESE WOMEN


 tains no more hardshps than that of the average American woman. A Chinese wife is not required nor permitted to do any traordinary amount of thinking, but as Fin Fin Gone whom I knew long ago) said to ne:
 Why should we think? Our husbands are kind to us; we have but one dream and that to make them happy, and if there were more thinking than that our fore heads would be nothing but wrinkles, and then we would be no longer loved"
 Fin-Fin at the time she said this had been resident of the Chinese quarters on Second street, in Portland, Oregon, for five years. Her husband was one of the most prosperous merchants on the street, and as good-hearted man as I ever knew.
 American women think too much" said he "and that Is why love comes so easy to them and goes away just as easy A woman who is always thinking has too much temper. My wife (this proudly) never thinks"
 Fin-Fin's husband was never drunk. He never struck her a blow Their religion was alike. Of clothing, jewels, pretty things, she had everything she could desire There were children in the queer little home over the fish market, and perpetual happiness between father and mother have no doubt they occasionally quarreled. But never before anyone-that is an un- pardonable sin. The Chinaman and his wife reserve all disputes for the privacy of their rooms. It was Fin Fins husband who gave me from time to time (during three months acquaintance) observations thn aF, on woman. Some of these will prove old to the American eye; others, I think, have never appeared in American print before. Thus he said to me one afternoon:
 Respect always silent woman; great is the wisdom of the woman that holdeth her tongue"
 That saying" said he, "is more than 5000 years old in my own country. Children are taught it before they are ten years of age."
 The smile of a silent woman Is like the setting of the sun upon a beautiful sea-" said he. Put the two proverbs together and it is evident that the premium upon femi- nine silence in China is a high one.
 "A vain woman is to be feared, for she will sacrifice all for her pride.
 Trust not vain woman, for she is first in her own eye
 "A naughty woman stumbles, for she can not see what may be in her way.
 Trust not the woman that thinketh more of herself than another; mercy will not dwell in her heart.
 The gods honor her who thinketh long before opening her lips. Pearls come from her mouth
 "A woman that is not loved is a kite from which the string has been taken; she drives with every wind and cometh to naught but long fall.
 "A woman and a child are alike; each needs strong, uplifting hand.
 A woman that respects herself is more beautiful than single star; more beauti- ful than many stars at night.
 Woman is the ease for that which pains the father; she is balm for his troubles
 "A woman who mistakes her place can never return to where she first was; the path has been covered up from her eyes, Many more things said this wise China man to me, for he is wise and wealthy. He controls much of the Chinese fish market of Portland, and while true to the faith of his fathers is a liberal believer in such principles of the American republic as he understands. Other proverbs given by him were:
 "A woman desirous of being seen by men is not /trustforthy; fear the glance from her eye.
 Give heed to her to whom children have come; she walks in the sacred ways and lacks not love.
 a he she fears not that to which she has become accustomed.
 "A mother not spoken we'll of by her children is enemy of the state; she should not live within the kingdoms walls "A woman without children has not yet the most precious of her jewels.
 'Give heed to the voice of an old woman; sorrow has given her wisdom.
 "A beautiful woman knows not her charms, therefore is she beautiful, more so than the colors of the sea.
 Speak not i'll of any woman; if woman be not righteous what she is speaks for itself.
 Like sheep that be leaderless are many women come together for much talk.
 
 "A woman who gives her all to the state or for the shielding of her home is next to the gods; she shall not hunger when the last sleep cometh upon her.
 Death is feared only by the woman that has not lived life; she trembles when the thunder rolls'
 And much more than this said F'in-Fin's husband, but there is not space to add more to this.~ Sufficient has been given to partially reveal the Chinese conception of woman's place in the life of the celestial world.
 LOOKED LIKE 100000 From the Chicago Record.