The sun., 1909-06-06

expensive TO feed. IL being declared in
Rangoon that an elephant eats quarter
OF his weight in feed every day. An
average days food for one is certainly
800 pounds.
Socially Burma is unlike other Oriental
countries. Men and women-even young
men and women-walk together In the
streets and mingle in social gatherings.
Courtship always precedes the marriage.
The Burmans are ardent lovers and
when a young man and woman find that
their parents do not approve OF the match
they usually repair to the woods and
return after day or two as man and
riage among Burmans is an extremely
simple affair The only ceremony per-
formed is the eating together out OF the
same bowl OF rice. Usually feast ia
given to the relatives and friends OF the
families concerned. No sacrifices are
offered. no services are performed.
A woman Is as much privileged TO seek
and obtain divorce as is man. All that
is required is to lodge complaint OF
marital infelicty with the village elders.
They make inquiries and seek TO reconcile
bhe couple. In most cases the family
feud is ended by their Intervention. but
If Cancellation is out Of the question the
marriage is annuiied ana divorce Is
granted.
The Burman wears a smile on his coun-
tenanoe. laughs and looks upon life
through rose colored spectaoles; Both
the women and the men wear rich hued
silkeu clothss. But while there is gayety
there Is no indecorum or impropriety!
For women Burma 10 little HEAVIER
on earth, il we are TO believe enthusi
astic writer's. Mrs. Burrnan is ubiqui,
tous Jewelry stores containing untold
wealth in pearls, rubies and other gemt
are In charge OF women. Markets and
fruit stalls are run BY women.
At the railroad station . woman sellf
to take diotation and TO do your type,
writing. Not long ago . woman stock
broker died leaving q fortune which she
had made hsrssH. But the Burmese
woman does not let business tnterfe 4
with motherhood. She runs the shop
with one hand and the children With the
When she msrriss ths woman retains
her own nanse and any propsrtZ abe may
have inherited or aoquirSd. Whsn d.
vorced she u s1pectSd 70 support her
children, bat this y no Hardship for
her, since abe cared FOR. them 1hsn she
lived with her husband. The Burmese
up to look to Its mother for guidance and
The Burmese woman takes 9 great In
tersst In public affairs, and the portala
Of the University OF RanSoon hsvs been
open TO her for number Of years. hsr
intelligence, her beauty, her freedom
from racial caste prejudice, all make her
an acceptable bride In the eyes Of for
eignsrs who 20 to Burma.
Marriage With q foreigner means -
q rule that she can live In plenty and
comfort without working. Naturaiiy she
looks upon such q marriage With favor.
The Burmans are Of Mongolian origin
and consequently the Chinese and Bur
mess marriage produces . vfrtls race.
With this exception the intermixture
of races in Burma has not proved de-
sirable.
This il especially 20 In case OF mar
riaeee between Europeans and BurmAns.
The Offspring OF such marriages are
termed Eursslana, who unfortunately
ssem to be looked down upon both BY
Almost as dinioult a problem = that
in Burma. Men, vonaen, and ohildrea
smoke. This chsroot at which they siTost
incessantly pud 10 etghseen innhee lcng
and about = quarter o. an tncn IA nlem9tei.
It'is wrapped In q banana ieAf. and ~
mouthpieos consists Of bamboo Tbs
Burpsn tobacco 10 70 sFopg. thet only
ons-fourth of the Bling Of t7e ohsfoot
consists OF tobacco. Tia balance 70 .
mixture Of innoouous herbs.
n possible The bllrtnAn ozceads efher
AsIsacs v hosPMaty. ~ Y ~ ~.
pay sfog iai9 4 euymsa sysL,ng 80