The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-06-03

ST PETERSBURG.-The light re-
gard which Russian men have for the
gentler sex is indicated by an old Mus
woman is long, but her mind is short"
And there is a proverb to the effect
that seven females have but one soul.
The wife has no voice in financial
transactions, and her opinion is given
little consideration even in the regula-
tion of domestic affairs.
1t would seem that such a disparag
ing estimate of their intelligence and
general worth would serve to discour-
age the Russian women and keep them
in state of subsection, but we find
then1 made oN7such stern metal that
they are doing mems work and grad
ually securing equal rights. In Fin
land they drive hacks during the win
ter. and even serve as police on the
frontier. Having shown their capabil-
ity to do a mans work, they have been
persistent in their claim to share in his
privileges, with the result that the
Finnish women will be able to cast
their ballots at the next election.
WOMEN WORK FOR RAILWAYS.
The daughters of the Empire never
lose an opportunity to demonstrate
their ability, and the manner in which
they came to the rescue of the govern
ment during the late war did much to
destroy the prejudice against them
Owing to the scarcity of men they gave
a nj n fn1
phone workers, letter sorters and ac-
countants. A late statement showed
that there We're % 900 female employees
in the service of the state railways.
In addition to occupying all kinds of
clerical POSITIONS some of them even
acted as guards.
According to an old custom the Rus
sian bridegroom, on the day of his
marriage, should put into one of his
boots a sweetmeat or a trinket, and
into the other a whip. After the cere-
mony the wife removes one of the
boots. If she happens upon the one
which contains the trinket 1T is con-
sidered an omen of a happy life for
her. but if she selects the boot con-
tanning the whip it is regarded as an
extremely unfortunate sign, and she is ;
given bride lash as an indication of
TO WHIP YOUR WIFE.
Under the old law of the Church the
husband was not only permitted to
'chastise his wife but was enjoined to
do so if she in any way proved negli-
gent to her domestic duties. A number
of offences were enumerated which
would warrant punishment that was
described as painful, but reasonable
and beneficial In administering these
Establishments the husband was adj
monished mot to use too thick stick,
nor to humilate unduly by f1ogging be-
fore witnesses" 1t was also stipulated
that the punishment should be admin
iStered in an outer or upper room of
the house so that the lamentations of
the afflicted one should not reach the
ears of the neighbors. The petted and
pampered American woman could
hardly stretch her Imagination to the
point of comprehending a state of So
ciety where the above measures would
be tolerated.
The marriage ceremony in Russia is
by some strange obser-
vances. The mother has no right to
go to the church, but must remain at
home during the ceremony. where she
is supposed TO put in her time crying. c
Shedding tears is a necessary accom- l
paniment to almost every part of the I
nuptiaI program. On the day of the q
marriage the bride is awakened by a 1
of her girl friends, who help
her put on her wedding clothes, every I
item of which must be bran-new. Her 7
hair is braided down her back and into t
t is woven many ornaments in the 4
shape of beads, ribbons and flowers.
BRIDE MUST BE FEARFUL.
AS soon as she is awake some one
brings into the room an empty bucket
n which bread has been made. This
s to signify plenty. 1t is the privilege
If the brother to put on the brides
shoes. After he has performed this
service she is supposed to give him
lower and to cry over him. She re-
elves in turn each of her girl friends,
md no matter how numerous they
nav be she is expected to shed tears
,ver each one. 1t is believed that the
asst one to receive a flower and be
ried over will be married first, so
here is great scuffle to see who shall
,e left until the last
A necessary adjunct to any wedding
,arty is the donation feature. big
wooden bowl covered with a cloth is
laced on a table near the bride and
room. and all who come to pay their
aspects to the newly married couple
re expected to deposit a gift. If the
onor rae been too busy to make a
election. its equivalent in cash is very
cceptable The jingle of coin makes
pleasing accompaniment to the show
= of congratulations.
THE GROOM PAYS TOLL.
A wedding invariably occurs at the
hurch and whenever it happens that
he bridal party must pass through
ne or more villages. they are certain
, be stopped several times by ropes
eing tied across the street. Before
hey can proceed the groom must pay
III. and his friends often levy against
i'm so exorbitantly that he is imam
ally embarrassed when he goes TO
At the church the young