The Republican journal., 1904-08-11
;raooe Things in Paraguay

emil Dress Consists of Gold
s''nslYa chemese Everything Toted
Cop' ',s Head, Habit Which Gives the
% 's n Their Erect Carriage.
.o,.a correspondence of The Journal "a
,.-oN. PARAGUAY, July 3, 1904.
# having your trunks and boxes,
I'-'' little, carried on a woman's
Gg lou the landing straight up hill
b''' mile or more to the hotel That
S'' .'r srNays happens when you come
' country of women, where the
10 T.5 weaker sex performs all the
" dat is accomplished, while the
81" 1-i, of creation lounge about
-.e nuatiently to appropriate the
.a.a,d by their wives, mothers,
.,4 ~weethearts. The Strangest
81 .0n3t it is that the women ap-
' ..I-,ty contented with their hard
..,5uU strenuously object should
..r.r male relatives attempt to
-r.e. IF work. But they seldom
Y-.,. lance to object. The only
..asth the typical Paraguayan
.larr or middle class shows any
-.1- Energy or perseverance is in
.. rp the discipline over the
.. lrmbers of his family. The
.......-,. .fLarded as little better than
.....tt.r- merely as a productive ele-
- and nurden- bearers. Women are
-9"uvai to eat at the table with
masters and, however faithful
.amaldr they may be, an occasional
....uu- is considered indispensable
N.lr temporal and spiritual good.
...,sr am not speaking of the few
.m..t.a fthued and travelled citizens,
.. .,.aye much like the ladies and
-.m,en III other parts of the world,
-a fle lower classeS-those who do
t.0are aud are most frequently met
..-.1 lIeigner. At the beginning of
~. ast war in 1856 the population of
a,graa5 was reckoned at 100000; to-
tvIt mas less than 250,0U0-and some
t,e aJel -sevenths of that number
r. Women. Probably those figures &C
grt far the extraordinary care that is
..s.. Of the few men remaining. The
.-,.-4Lt small in stature and appear
I'd .e much less strong in mind and
... than the other sex, excelling in
r-.5rS hut horsemanship-and in that
grand science they out-Herod Herod
Eli even the Guachaus of Argentina,
a.a t4raily live upon horseback. The
.~ IHaguayan goes barefooted at all
n-- vet the men manage to hitch a
rrt Tie naked heel when on horse
4rh. The unvarying costume of the
aaaf aI8 mddle-class Paraguayan Wo-
mel would elsewhere be considered in
-fc because Of its scantinesS, but is
.g. Iu with modesty, Oh the princi-
f. 7 Jni soft qui NAL y pense. 1t
INSISTS VT a very loose, low-necked, no
s--5 4misole called chemiSe in other
IS hordered at both ends with
3. ape native lace. Over this is
tton skirt with two flounces,
M generally a white cotton manta, or
shaw .3 partly conceal the bust and
&.lfel>. In the seclusioD of home
Sic Lsrruses with the shawl and the
a end consequently has on nothing
s.srI but the camisole, perhaps
e. round the waist by ribbon or
Srut gay calico. The bulge, or pouch
atl by binding the chemise at the
tilted as a pocket for carry
- lohey, cigars, etc. The hair is
rushed straight back from the
Wr4ead and plated in two long braids
~ I'd Gretchen. Flowers are univer-
added, worn in two little punches,
a- oor-hnobs, either just above or
a' -4lnd the ears; and everybody
NQrsl possibly afford it, even by half
ltcme of hard work and closest
aetay sticks gold-topped comb in
l-. lack hair" Like the nose rings
HIulfdad coolies and the necklaces of
.ItAea-Guianians, these combs are the
"'aad signs of social standing, the
a@lt If their owners heart; and time
va, Wien the society of the country
'a, iy.ded into two classes-those who
E1rr go!d combs and those who did not.
younger bellies also adorn them
'-yr, With strings of gold and coral
ra4' and pendant earrings SO long as
@5ust the shoulders; and though the
Tearer Is bare-footed and clad only in a
@alt camisole, she is seldom seen, at
Gone or abroad, without the decoration
lowers. So far as honesty, kindness,
-aJafuMess and affection are concern
7- y0n might search far and wide in the
World S centers OF civilization to find an
equal 10 these discouraged looking wo-
4elot Paraguay.
BENG in Asuncion, you will probably
Ntl at the "Hotel Hispano Ameri-
'A9 and nothing will surprise you
mole IN tAis far-away country of sur
NlSea than the interior magnifcence of
Ids nostelry. 1t was formerly a palace,
o0LJ Tor the joint occupancy of several
avofite members of Dictator Lopez