The sun., 1919-06-30

existence IL peculiarly her sphere of ac-
ton and influence, and from this throne
Of home life she rules, and also shines.
This has been more or less inevitable In
country where for many generations
women have had no part in tho outside
life of business, politics or social move
ments, but have been immued behind
domestic walls almost' as carefully as
are the women of the East.
In the larger centres, and especially
In the Federal capital, twentieth century
influences are opening tho doors Of the
somewhat outworn household cage, and
women are seen In public places, on the
avenues, at the opera and the theatre,
and in motor cars, whore. by the way.
the Brazilian senhoras and senhoritas,
with their dark hair, beautiful Paris
made clothes. which are not more beau
tiful than their eyes, are among the
most fascinating moving pictures Of the
tropical city These women Of the class
aristocratic are also familiar with Paris,
Genoa and Lisbon, to which they make
frequent Voyages with their husbands,
bringing home the latest thing In styles,
both for dress and the ornamentation
OF their homes.
Such women. like all the femihnes OF
these parts, take readily to languages.
WHICH t1eY nave AtdTucu ~ OhtAy
age (the only satisfactory way really
to acquire foreign tongues) and it is
common for the linguist to be able to
converse with the Intelligent, Witty lady
Of the higher circles in French, Italian,
Spanish, and often In English, in addi-
tion to the native Portuguese.
1t has been stated by writer's, who are
perhaps more gallant than strictly
truthful that the Latin American
women are more intellectual and well
informed generally than the men. Be
that as Il may, one finds many scores
of homes throughout the country where
the grade Of culture, the knowledge OF
Portuguese and French literature, the
acquaintance with art and music, and
the inherited love for the beautiful. ex.
pressed variously in the collection OF
rare bric-a-brac. choice paintings, well
modulated ARRANGEMENT Of flowers and
the presence of color. betoken type OF
civilization difficult to surpass in any
country.
This elevated grade Of appreciation
and culture is said to be limited to per-
haps a few hundred families Of wealth
and old traditions-a somewhat detached
and segregated aristocracy of Intellect
and training existing at the apex of Bra
lillian society; below there is as yet no
great middle class of population to re-
lieve an abrupt descent to the more
mediocre and even illiterate proletariat
which forms the democratic substratum
OF the nation. r
Middle Glass Forming.
While this is probably the case, stated
broadly, my observation leads me to be-
lieve that there is at present a diHtinctly
marked middle class in the process OF
formation, made UP of the new wealth
and progress OF the awakened CONNER
clal Brazil, and that throughout the en-
tire social order there are evident the
traits of gentiiity and sentiment, woven
inextricably into the Moor
ish- Brazilian nature. 1t Is significant.
moreover, for the future of this coun-
try, that the ideals which the people
have enthroned in their hearts at the
last are those informing the refined and
tasteful apostles Of culture. who are the
leaders in political and social matters
rather than the lower aims Of milreis
| and militarism, which have all too potent
influence in some other nations.
Brazilian women are not only nice to
look at and intelligent conversational.
lists; they are Furthermore the mothers
of men," 1t Is a land of large families
elKnl anu ten CnlluEcu pciHB GAStp-
tional thing in a Brazilian home. The
: upbringing OF children Is not attended
| with any superfiuous modern fads. and
eugenics, twilight sleep. birth control, to-
gether with other reforms Of our North
ern efficiency" civilization. are as ye,
| unknown.
| 1t may be only a matter of time wher
Brazil like the United States, will be
gin to copy Germany In this machine
made existence, and n race of monde
mestiS females simply devoted to som'
/ cause" will be Joining a lot Of non
domestic men who had rather 60 re
forming than make homes, and the oil
land of the Pedros will ring with suf
fragette speeches and sterilized drink
ing cups. Il in the distant future thes'
transformations occur. II Is to be hopet
that the Brazilian home. now so dis
tinctive and filled with family reunions
will not be exchanged for our huge Al
ing cabinet apartment houses, in whicl
the simple pleasures of family life ar
made difficult and often impossible.
The home again reminds of the Eas
in the presence OF the parental authority
and the reverential attitude of children
to their elders. The boy kisses hi
and this custom OF sons is continues
through life. the father of grown VI
|
over his aged fathers or mothers han,
at meeting. as respectfully as does hi
boy above his own.
Household duties occupy the atten
ton Of Brazilian women more than 1
usual In the north. the husband being tn
responsible host to do the honors to tn
guest. The women have their trial
with negro servants, and from shee
necessity for independence perhaps the,
are usually proficient in the ability t
cook, and to grace their ample table
with special dishes OF their own making
Although, as has been limited. tn
ladies' in the elite classes of the tw
largest cosmopolitan centres. Rio d
Janeiro and Sac Paulo, are now rapid
taking on European customs, IN genera
the old traditions prevail, making 1t I'm
possible for ladies. young or old. to re
ceive male callers alone, to dance at ball
after marriage with any men other thai
their husbands, or to be seen on tn
street or at public functions withou
escort The woman of the homo 1--we
a circumscribed life that would seer
tame enough to her North American sis
tiers. Mothers are known chiefly throug
their children, and, like the women O
the Orient. seem quite eager as the me
to maintain the cherished feminine isola
ton. There are probably no wome
more virtuous or faithful TO their mar
riage vows in any nation than the wome
OF Brazil.
Women and Athletics.
Life generally in the country. strang
as 1t may seem. is lived less In the ope
than in many northern cities. Wome
have not yet entered to any great exter
the outdoor arena of athletics. The pub