The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-02-06

the queen OF the domestic and social
realm
Life on an Isolated ranch is neces-
sarily "a matter of much routine ana
hard labor That is exactly what IL is
for the South African women Like
their Dutch ancestors they are coutn-
ually scrubbing and polishing for de-
spite frequent libels 10 the contrary,
they consider cleanliness next Co godli-
ness ana are willing 10 work i'm uphold
ing this conviction. a clean and order
~ household Is their pride, The wife
and mother dominates the home life.
But the strongest characteristic OF the
Boer women is their rigid idea of pu-
rity. The fatal gift of beauty rarely. IL
ever falls 90 the lot Of the Boer woman.
such things as charm OF manner or
grace Of carriage have never entered
into her aspirations She has always
been used 60 hard work. and upon her
ability 10 attend 90 her household and
manage the farm depends largely her
prospects OF marriage. for only the well
10 do Boer keeps women servants. Even
then the housewife looks closely after
the work.
Although the women OF the upper
classes receive the benefits OF culture
bentting their station, they are not
what advanced reformers call types Of
"the bower woman Their energies and
tastes are naturally severely domestic.
and all classes are dligent readers OF
the Bible Some persons OF leisure cu-
tivatc the higher forms OF literature.
These are taking advantage Of the good
schools and Grey college in South AZ
rica.
The Boer husband and father Is con-
tent with his home life; he only desires
his pipe 10 cheer the passing hour. and
10 this he devotes himself with the
same assiduity that his wife bestows
upon her polishing. II Is his constant
companion The wife and daughters
find almost their sole diversion in dane
ing Their only musical instrument is
crudely constructed violin. It serves
its purpose. and they delight in It's
weird music. ON the slightest pretext
they arrange for a dance ball party
which lasts for "a hours, with intervals
for rest The young men and women
gather from miles around. many mak-
ing a two days journey for the sake OF
few hours OF pleasure
-tr7rv-ri fur -utfTrr-- yJCfTt puTpOges OF
for sightseeing there Il little Sons and
daughters OF old land holders marry
and settle down near theft parents.
BY a peculiar way Of wearing a silver
comb a Boeress indicates her condition
i'm life as maiden. wife or widow. To
the position OF this comb is due the
amount OF attention bestowed upon her
at the Sunday church services. The
matches are mostly all arranged here.
and when a desirable party is selected
, the young man undertakes the court
ship.
In this connection a curious CUSHION is
prevalent. After the terms of theNcon-
tract have been arranged by their re-
spectiye parents the young people are
left alone with lighted candle on the
table between them, as well as large
pot of coffee and a plate Of sweet cakes.
The fate OF the suitor is decided by the
life of the candle Should the lady ex-
tinguish the flame. he knows that his
suit is rejected: If she allows the cam
die TO burn down into the socket. il Is
sign that he has found favor i'm her
eyes.
once welded the Boer woman ac-
cepts her fate with the stoicism charac-
teristic of the Indian squaw, sewing,
cooking. cleaning and farming. as ne
cessity demands