The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-01

liberty of conduct that Is in striking
contrast: They chatter freely and cheer
lully with whom they please
ne Armenian women differs radical
~ from her Turkish sisters. Neither
seclusion, polygamy nor divorce darken
ner present nor threaten her future She
is not educated with her brothers. how
ever, as American girls are. for [ remem
per now puzzled 1 was when l entered an
American college and saw girls seated
among the boys in the classroom
John l said to my negihbor what
are the girls here for, to make the room
look pretty?'
1T seemed incredible that anv one could
think a girl capable of learning along
WIN her brother. 1t is considered dis
grace likewise for man to walk publicly
with a woman, even though she be his
sister She may entertain men callers
ana, of course, her face is never covered
ike Turkish woman, but her mother or
some Older female relative is always pres
ent. They attend the same entertainments
and church, but may not sic together The
Women's seats in church are partitioned
off and are in the rear
While among many old Armenian fam
lies parents contract for the marriage of
Cheir children while they are in their in
fancy, in the majority of cases the young
people are permitted 70 make their own
selections, though always with the consent
of their parents. Elopements therefore,
are unknown.
1.-The marriage tie is sacred in Areme-
mia, and death only can break it. If a per
son has an uncongenial companion they
must endure it with the same kind of pa
thence they would endure a sore head
which, though they may try to cure they
will hardly cut off, since it is a part of
themselves.
The Purpose of Bath Parties.
with Turkish women their only end
in this world is marriage. Accordingly
girls are from their infancy rocked 20 sleep
by their mothers and lullabies of future
husbands, handsome, courageous and
wealthy.
THE regular age for this supreme felic-
ity is from IL to Is years of age. but
usual wealth or physical attraction call
for earlier contracts. Generally speaking,
however, parents are pleased if they get
a chanoe of betrothing their daughters at
5 or 6, or al any rate before they reach II
years. For at that age women must be
put-so the Mohammed proverb says
either under the husband or under the
EARTH that is, she must either marry or
die.
"A girl is perfectly manageable if she
is eiter pretty or wealthy. Should she
possess both then she is a great catch
and will have many suitors. About her
East ones financial status is known to
every one. The age, too, can be easily as
certained, but the puzzling question Is
about her good looks Is she pretty?
That must be discovered, and. of course
as the young man has no means of find
ing out for himself he must get some
woman to act for him. He usually re-
sorts to a Jewess, and if her report IS
favorable, he then brings the matter to
his parents attention and his mother,
after a call on the girl, arranges a party
at a public bath. This is to ascertain If
the girl has any physical defects. These
bath parties are extremely fashionable
and the women dress deliberately A meal
of greasy pastries and sweets is always
served, after which comes the smoking
of cigarettes, long pipes and water pipes
the women seated cross-legged on di-
vans and gossiping the entire time. When
this Is over the party prepare to enter a
hot bath During the whole entertain
ment the mother has devoted herself to
the girl. and 1t is needless TO say If she
has any imperfections they are discov-
cred and reported to the intended bride
groom.
SHOULD her report be satisfactory, after
few visits between the parents the mar
rage is agreed upon and the day set.
A Wtfe's Peril.
"As to the betrothal, the husband has
to give a dower-or rather, hire as the
Koran distinctly states. The minimum
of this dover is fixed. II may not be less
than $40 in your money. The maximum
is left open, and by that arrangement
the family of the girl IS able to obtain
some show of fair play. for in Turkey the
only hold a woman has on her husband is
that to divorce her he must turn over to
her this dover.
After marriage 1t is her prime duty
to court and obtain his good will, for If
she displease him she is in imminent dan
ger of missing Paradise. wife whose
tongue has made trouble for her husband
will have that useful appendage length
ened TO 1850 feet at the judgment. Should
a man wish divorce he has only to re-
turn his wife dover and say to her. Get
out She has to go; there is no redress,