Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-05
NORWEGIAN WOMEN
characteristics of the Female Sex in
the Scandinavian Peninsula.
ARE NOTED FOR PHYSICAL BEAUTY
Their Remarkable Physique and
Taste in Dress.
IN HOUSEHOLD ARTS
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star.
AS in most countries where the struggle
for existence is keen, where a rigorous ell
mate and an unfruitful soil have minimized
luxury, the women of Scandinavia inherit
with taeir brothers vigor of mind and body.
OF the inhabitants of the three countries,
Norway, Sweden and Denmark, the Nor
wegians possess the greatest physical
comeliness, and they are far more viva
cious, though degree less polite, than the
Swedes. Tall. finely proportioned. with
regular features and a much less Slavonic
cast of countenance, one sees everywhere,
in city and village splendid types of beau
ty which are by no means confined to the
higher classes. The women are the fairest
type Of blondes, with yellow, siiken hair,
blue eyes and good figures, enhanced
among the peasantry by the picturesque
national dress Of blue and scarlet, with
white bodice, peasant waist and coquettish
white cap. With this custome antique sill
yer ornaments are worn, pins, chains and
brooches, not unlike those of the Swiss,
and which represent no small part of the
family wealth
Notwithstanding the fact that the Salic
law in Norway has barred the succession
of woman to the throne, women never
theless have enjoyed a remarkable degree
of freedom and authority due in part at
least TO their physical and intellectual
force
There is three-fold system of govern
ment schools, to which girls are admitted
on equal footing with boys although thew
are instructed separately-in the lower
grades by women and in the upper-gram-
mar and high schools-by instructors of
both sexes In the higher schools tuition is
paid, and religious teaching Is compulsory
regular examinations being conducted by
Lutheran clergymen-the opponents of the
national faith. Women are also admitted
tool fonI oh 41-
ly devote themselves to the decorative arts
although few of late years have given
evidence of decided ability in the study of
architecture.
signal ability as trained nurses and in med
1clne-praeticing among woman and chill
dren.
Social Precedence.
Society is divided into distinct gradations
as elsewhere throughout the world. in
which the old nobility take precedence. the
clergy and the weather. manufacturers
and tradesmen ranking second and third.
Extreme Difference Is paid to rank and no.
sition. the great lady of the community
monopolizing an undue share of honors and
attention, to which frequently her natural
requirements would not entitle her.
The vast amount Of eating and drinking
which goes on everywhere makes album.
dant work for the housekeeper and ser
wants. So far as this refreshment can be
CLASSIFIED by the foreigner there are, first,
the rolls and coffee, served in ones room at
Z; breakfast at 8, which Is a generous and
substantial meal; light luncheon at ~:
dinner at 2: coffee again at 4; supper at 4
ana. II the pangs of hunger must again be
allayed, moderate luncheon is sent TO
ones room before retiring. OF course the
cold climate permits this frequent eating,
but it Is difficult to believe that it is abso-
lutely necessary.
There is in and around Christiana an
American aspect that is a continual sur
prise, the marked difference being the
beautiful cleanliness of the parks and
streets. Women are occupied in business
everywhere, and everywhere, in shops and
hotels, the women in charge speak Eng
lish with wonderful fiuency and correct
ness. for it is a language that they are
taught from early childhood in their
schools. Like the women of Sweden, they
dress with great taste, and the clothing of
the very poorest is clean and whole. The
fish wives in the market are the very an
tithesis of those of Billingsgate, London.
With their neat black stuff gowns black
straw hats-the broad brims tied down with
eyes. cheeks like roses, they are as attract
I've In manners as In appearance.
Plant and Harvest.
On the farms strong. rugged girls do
more than their share of work. since they
must not only help in the planting and
harvesting. but prepare the food for the
family. taking charge Of the dairy and
make and mend the clothing, which, It
seems. Is never permitted to become shabby
or ragged. sympathy Is wasted upon them.
however, for they themselves would be the
first to repudiate 1t, since their free. nat
ural life has endowed them with the
strength to perform easily whatever share
of the labor may haze been allotted to them.
The stout peasant, with sturdy muscles
that man might envy. climbing the in
cline-not iadder-up the wall Of a grow
ing building, handles her burden Of mortar
easily, erect as q ships mast. It Is prob
able that II consulted she would not change
places with her feeble sister shut ND in a
sweltering kitchen. with her back bent
over q steaming washtub or q red,hot
kitchen stove. The fsherwomen, too, as
sist with the nets. handing them. sorting
and curing the catch; and they also live to
ripe and vigorous old age.
Within the past year Norway has con-
ferred municipal suffrage upon women.
Those who have reached the age OF twenty
hve and have been acknowledgements pay
er1 and taxpayerD-lOr ffyo yeara With an