Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-01-05
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silk WITH Gre IS
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The Lille Known
High Caste Chi
nese Lady.

The Chinese woman is domestic, home
is her sphere, she finds interest land de-
light in such simple occupations as sew
Ing, worshipping her ancestors, and play
ing games with her children. No wave OF
revolt has power to touch her reverence
and respect for her lord and master.
She has no ambition to prove herself
mans equal, no desire to be anything but
the weaker vessel. she is quite content
to remain at home for days and weeks
and even months at . stretch. Her tiny
feet are not meant for 'gadding about
In search of pleasure or amusement.
The high-classed Chinese lady is dressed,
perhaps, more richly than any other wom-
an In the world Even her tiny shoes are
exouIsitely made; she takes both pride
and delight in her Golden Lily" teet.
She can scarcely toddle without help BUT
liberty of movement is small matter
compared with the possession OF diminu-
tive feet in shoes of solid gold.
The lilly foot" consists of the great
toe encased in a shoe two or three inches
hing rho other toes have been dislocated
backwards to lie closely under the foot.
When a Chinese girl is about six or eight
years of age. she Is visited by the 1901
hinder. whose profession it is to produce
this anatomical distortion so much al
mired by the better class Of Chinese
The toes are gradually forced nnder the
foot, which is bandaged by STRIPS OF espe-
cially made cotton cloth, ana these nse
kept on for several weeks at stretcn.
being removed only to allow kneading or
the Joints to make them more pliable.
The main is excruciating, and there Is
considerable swelling of the leg and foot
In the FIRST instance. Later, huge corns
appear as a result Of pressure, and IL is
remarkable that disease or the bones ana
toes is not more common. Inc wrap
n,nOs are finely embroidered, and the ut
tie shoes made of SILK or satin eiaooi"'e'S
stitched In rich colors.
The smaller the foot the better the
nrosnects from a matrimonial point Oh
view of the Chinese maiden. a chinese
ar, ,s sometimes, however, betrothed as
q mere baby and should the man ole pc
the marriage takes place, she Is consiu-
cred ''widow." Shecannot marry again
without losing caste, but sne may "u'Ps
a son If she likes.
...tdou ia not allowed to rouge or
,,or,der. she can only wear half mourn
mo which In China Is symbonsed py
hl1e or violet shades, for the rest OF ner
natural ife. e..N.rt
n the memory of her husband, OF pc
trothed, she is rewarded with magnin.
cont funeral and has monuments ana
China. carved arches Of wood or stone
arc displayed to the memory of WIDOWS
- 81 women who have never married
~ al The "Old Maid" In China is
verv important parsonage compared with
Tho sinister of Western countries. Shs
ia regarded with admiration ana respect
nv ali her friends and relatives alike.
ola age Is especially honorable In CHINA;
the greatest compliment you can pay
chinese woman is to assure her that she
,ooks ten wears older than her actual age
Trained from babyhood to hide all emo
+,on the women lead the simple Ire as
- natter of course; their placid, quiet
nnliped. unwrinkled faces give them an
anpearance of youth till advanced years.
when they seem suddenly 10 sn''0' w
into old women.
rTbe better class of Chinese women are
axorisiteIv dressed in richly embroidered
sijt several skirts of different coiors
being worn one above the other. Halr-
dressing is a fne art In China, ana IN
no country in the world are there sucn
yaried fashions and styles. Each district
has its approved couture, but one and all
afrect elaborate ornaments Of silver or
enamel and artificial flowers, which show
In strong contrast the glossy black hair.
The marriage crown" is as magnln-
cent as money and Chinese taste can
produce, and marriage Is great occa-
sion for display and pomp In CHINA. Inc
bride, attired in scarlet and gold, sJitn
wedding veil of crimson silk, Is carried
in a golden sedan chair. which is usually
hired for the occasion. Red is the luck
lest colour In China. and Is introduced
as much as possible at this time. The
presents are carried In large red boxes
or on red lacquered trays; red candies
and banners bring luck to the bridal pair;
and. in the home, scarlet cushions anu
p for
the occasion. The bride may have been
purchased like bale of silk, she may
never hare seen her husbands face.
ana she must obey aud walt upon and
serve her lord FOR the rest Of her nat
ural life.