The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-03-16
WOMEN IN CHINA.
FACTS WHICH SHOW THEIR
RIGHTS ARE FEW.
They Are Not Allowed Even the
Right to the Possession Of
Soul
Boston Evening Transcript.

Boston Evening Transcript.
III. ms sixth lecture before the Lowell
institute, the Hon. Chester Holcombe
spoke of the social life in China and the
unfortunate influence the literary people
work over the affairs of the nation. The
common people believe, ne said that a
mule has soul. but that a woman has
never possessed one. 1t matters little,
ana can not be determined, whether this
theory Is the cause or the result of their
treatment of the female half of the race
Inc thinese statutes require that when
contract of marriage Is being arranged
the parents shall furnish proof that their
son and daughter are neither diseased.
oeformed, nor under or over age. And
yet as a result of their discrimination
they are competed to marry their sons
to dull. stupid. uneducated dolts.
IL these statements appear extreme
to any, explained the speaker, THE an
swer Is that those who have lived only
In lands where women have had equal
culture. equal treatment and equal free
dom with men: where they are compan-
ions and not serfs, and where, as a re-
suit. they have proved their equality in
many directions. and their superiority in
many others-those who have lived only
IN such lands can have no just idea Of
the results of the Chinese system"
The divisions of the sexes constitutes
the most conspicuous and essential mark
OF heathenism which Ia to be found upon
the Chinese nation. 1t forms an absolute
anu uhiiHlttu pdItiuOn OF Lne empire
into two great classes and robs each of
those advantages and help which the 9TH
er Is primarily intended to supply. 1t de-
prives the race of fully one-half of the
spirit. incentive and stimulus which re-
suit in progress and development.
1t stunts men, retards their intellectual
growth. adds stupidity as a factor in
their mental organization. and robs them
or all aptitude or capacity for any other
than merely physical growth. The extent
TO which this rule of division
Is simply astonishing. In families of the
better sort. the male and female mem
bers are strictly kept apart. The diff
ferent sexes must each have different
servants. Even brothers and sisters are
not allowed to associate after the boys
begin their studies, which is usually at
the age of years
Mixed social gatherings are not only
horrence. and as proof of barbarism and
moral degeneracy in all countries which
permit them. Among the higher classes
husbands never appear with their wives
u. u, the street or in any public place.
Thos1 OF the working people seldom do,
and upon such rare occasions the man
Invariably walks behind his wife, In or
der to watch her conduct and see that
she behaves In proper manner. Men
a.'e required by the statutes to mourn
three years for the death of a father
and 100 days for the loss of mother.
h 1t any husband who should mourn or
exnlblt any sign of grief at the death
or his wife would in doing so disgrace
himself in the eyes of his acquaintance
and would be expelled from decent So
ciety. He would be fortunate If he did
not come under the penalties OF that gem
eral provision for offences not otherwise
provided for" Undoubtedly many Chi-i
nese husbands become devotedly attached
to their wives after marriage-they have
no opportunity before that interesting
event-but 1t is a breach OF propriety
ana good morals to manifest any feeling
OF that nature under any circumstances
1t Is exceedingly indecorous for two In.
innate friends. when engaged in CONVEX
sation. To mention the mere existence of
female relative OF either. Men who
nave grown gray together under relations
or the greatest intimacy will enquire
about and discuss the qualities of the
male members of the family of each, but
they may never mention the female mem
bcrs II II were only to enquire after
l'tle girl or 3 wears old. That common
question. How is Your wife," becomes
when translated into Chinese and made
use OF In that empire, gross and UNI
pardonabl' Insult even between close
friends Cinnamon never mention. ad-
irNsS or appear to sec any member of
IN" other sex. excepting such as are with
In their own households And in order
10 AVOID the ADVERTISEMENTS of chance
or casual meetings. every CAncSc gentle
proarhcS the entrance In the re idcure
or friend. In o7dCr that the f,mtt in
mates of The establishment NAV h. givcH
fuE npp 'EtuHity t. dissppcar. To fail in
furnishing this evidence of bronchial
trouble would show "a serious lnch &C
good hreo ding. THIS IS no moe theory
but the current and universal practice