The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11

take differences in custom for diner
cnces In constitution: to make mys-
terry, often n horror NJ that which
is strange. Mohammedan women
have Occidental pity they do not need
It. Missionary reports work much
mental mischief; the "infdcl" Is to
the true believer" wrong not only
in his Tn: ology but in all that he does.
So II is comforting to he told that
instead Of the Mohammedin women
being all poor creatures living in mari
tai bondage. very frequently they arc
tn, close companions Of their hus-
bands. tho advisers and arbiters in
domestic affairs"
Under Moslem law women have
these rights: Every wife has her
own dover. servants and apartments:
dover and bower. The marriage set
tlement must be returned in full upon
divorce or separation. At the death
of the husband the wife RECEIVERS all
OF her dover and part OF her husba nd's
estate. A wife may incur necessary
debts in her husbands name. A vir-
gin Of adult age cannot be compelled
to marry. A divorced woman or
n widow may marry again. \
woman pays only half the fine
paid by man FOR legal Of
fences. Women must not be killed in
warfare" On the other hand. mo
woman can object to he one Of four
wives. nor to the number Of concu-
Dimes kept by her husband Wives
may b. chastised." but there is no
more wifebeating than in England or
America. "a wife must obey her hus-
band implicitly" and wives can be
repudated for several causes but
such population is not common.
There is a Mohammedan saying that
"a good wife is as a mother for affec-
ton and tenderness: as slave girl
for content and attentions. as a friend
for concord and sincerity" Moslem
women as a whole are content with
their lot as are the ma jority of wome n
In the East. There is dissatisfaction
among the educated ones. "femi-
mist movement" in every state: women
are holding meetings 10 discuss the
rights OF their sex in Turkey. Egypt.
India. But there Is no general dis
satisfaction. organized revolt. Prob
ably the women OF the East are more
satisfied with their lot than their
Western sisters are with theirs.
The Hindu ideal for the wife and
mother Is self-effacement. utter un-
selfishness. Much OF what in the code
Of manners between husband and wife
In public might he thought indicative
OF want Of respect for the sex is only
matter OF form An English
! lady who is the wife Of high caste
, Hindu Is quoted: The unrest of the
Western women who are battling Sc
vigorously for rights. freedom. votes
and full equality with men is a tragi,
spectacle" From her knowledge OF
life in England and in India shc think,
the English women miss the best II
life. and the Hindu women get ii b,
following their ideal. thus expressed
1T is nobler TO serve than to lead
to heed than 10 teach. to obey thar
20 command Fortunately 1.-THE Hindl
husband is conspicuous for his docilit,
and patience" As to polygamy. tina
is practised only by the wealthy. an,
not generally among them; the work
ing folk are homogeneous. silva!
the Maharajah married as many a
eighteen women in single day. Thi
was. however. due TO a curious error
The ruler wished a wife for himscl
and partners for some Of his courticr.
4 number Of beautiful maidcns wcr
|, selected. and brought to the palaC
under the Misrepresentation that the
were all destined 10 share the grea
mans favor. Upon discovering thci
mistake the girls broke into lamenta
tons and displayed the utmost disap
, pointment Sivaji, being a chivalrou
: and kindly man, made them all happ
by marrying the whole eighteen.
: In India marriages are commonl
, arranged by parents. but IN BURN
the woman has freedom of selection
Women engage in occupations an
. trades along with the men, and d
not live in secluded idlencss as the
commonly do in countries wher
polygamy is practised. They MARI
. early. but have not the child mar
riage" which menaces social We
n being in India: colibacy is almost nor
4 existent. Tho Burmese women ~
3 very Intelligent. and are legally o
n an equal footing with men.
Young Turkey" Is beginning I
consider plura marriage old fashionc,
> "Po,yGamy 10 not likely to give plaC
? rapidly To universal monoEamy. W
, might as well expect To Danish pc
? lySyny suddenly from Western soc
cites. But the stricter rule OF III
seraclio IL relaxing"
After considering the life Of Il
. women Of China and Japan. pers
4 and Africa. Mr.. Gallchan comes
;. the conclusion that "the West is h,
ginning to learn some Of the wisdo
e of the East. and the Orient is losir
som. Of its conservatism. Far reacl
. ing changes are likely to occur
: the near future"
An iURcLnOwIcdRe DauIhter ,
, the House Of IIRpsburI.