Evening star., 1901-09-21
THE WORLDS WOMEN
Their Social, Domestic and Economic
Position in Germany.
TAUGHT SUBSERVIENCE FROM YOUTH
Little Companionship Between the
Sexes.
TOLD OF THE EMPRESS

Written for The Evening Star by Mary 81. Krout.
In ancient times the women of the Ger
manic tribes enjoyed a degree of freedom
and authority which was a marked con-
trast to the restricted and narrow sphere
of their successors today. They were lead
ers and law givers, having a voice in all
matters pertaining to the public veal, and
it was inevitable that the strong, fearless
sons inheriting the strength and dauntless
courage of such mothers, should have been
resistless when they confronted the legions
of decadent Rome. Today with all her mil
itary prestige and material power, the wo-
men of Germany, except of the very high
| est classes, ere little more than upper serv-
ants, with no real authority in ordering the
affairs Of their household, every pfenn1g CT
expenditure no matter how much of it may
have been a part of the wife's own dover,
being carefully supervised by the husband,
who is literally the major domo.
A German girl is taught subserv1ence and
humility from the moment she is able to
understand anything. AS child. she must
obey her father: as wife, her husband is
her master; and, should he die, the son
thinks, plans and acts for her. Only in ex-
ceptional instances is she supposed to be
capable of thinking and acting for herself.
Her property rights are nominal; from
birth to death she is a minor in the eye Of
the law.
Until very recently there was great diff
ference in the education Of boys and girls.
Boys were required to study with the UT,
most industry, with little relaxation and
few holidays, that they might stand first
in the examinations, which are the open
sesame to advancement in every field, ed
with no such incentive, had much less
varied course, Latin having been forbidden
them in the public schools, on the ground
that their mental powers We're not equal to
so great tax. Mathematics were also cur
tailed on the same ground, and an undue
length of time was devoted to instruction
in sewing and knitting-arts in which girls
are SO well drilled at home that 1t would
seem hardly worth while to carry it into
the precious study hours, which are none
too many.
The Home Training.
A girls home training is indeed the main
consideration. A domestic creature above
all else, she is grounded in the art of cook
ing in making the queer soups and sau-
sages and cakes in which the German menu
abounds. Compared to her brother, she is
of little consequence. Every sacrifice must
be made to establish him in life, and all
the economies, therefore, fall upon the
feminine members Of the household.
The most important event Of early girl
hood is the confirmation, for which the can
didate is prepared by being placed under
the instruction of the pastor, unless the
family should be Catholics, when the priest
performs this duty. After weeks Of labori-
Gus catechising the candidate is in readiness,
and, with hundreds of others, presents her
self in white gown, gioves, veil and wreath
at the chancel, where she is formally re-
ceived into the communion of the church.
The combinations begin on Palm Sunday,
and the church is usually bower Of flow
ers and greenery on the important occasion.
At home there are congratulations, feasting
and visiting, the newly made communicant
being the center Of interest.
There is very little social intercourse be-
tween men and women: nothing, indeed of
that pleasant conradeship which obtains in
our own country, which so enriches life and
is full Of benefit for both sexes. Whatever
intellectual training German women may
have, few-in the middle class, the bone
anu sinew of the empire-make any use Of
it. Absorbed in 1.-The three KS" in accord
ance with the behest of the present rule,
they could not be intellectual companions
to .neir better educated husband and broth
ers If they wished to be.
on to the Kneipe.
Husbands and sons take themselves off to
the kneipe-the German substitute for the
club-where, over their mugs of beer and in
clouds Of tobacco, puffed from their huge
meerschaums, they discuss affairs of state
and all other questions of general interest.
They do not talk of such matters to wife
ana daughter, dS tALleTlCduS anu EuSllSH-
men are wont to do-a means Of liberal ed
ucation In itself. Christmas, Easter and
Whitsuntide -"Pfingsten" the three
great annual festivals. and to these are
added the family birthdays, all of which
make much work for the women folk in the
additional baking and brewing which they
necessitate. Not only must the cakes pecu-
liar to each stated season be prepared, but
the gifts also which are very often of home
manufacture.
Each bride is supposed to be furnished
with q supply of linen-clothing, napery
and bed linen-which will last lifetime,
and which is added to gradually until the
dover chest is FULL This generous supply
has led to the establishment of quarterly
wash days, when there Is general cleans
ing and renovating, with the odors of the
laundry filling the house for week. Well
to-do residents Of cities send the linen to
the country, and when 1t must be done at
home 1t is sort Of penitential season, in
frau's temper Is sorely tried Bread baking
being eliminated from German housekeep-
ing lessons the work very materially, and
simple living, the absence Of unnecessary
display, is the almost universal rule.
The Kanee Klatsch.
The two solemn social functions are the
Kaffee Enthusiastically. the coffee fight
and the formal dinner. At all such cere-
monials precedence is accorded the import-
ance OF q sacred edict. Upon no considera-
ton would the hostess yield to the guest OF
q lower station In life the place and honor
that belongs to her superior; nor would she