their ornaments. The costume of tile Chinese, Cochinchinese, and people of Tungking is very decent; both men and women wear a sort of large pantaloon with a shirt or a loose frock above. People ofrank in China wear a long silk robe, and over it a sort of jacket ofblue silk, and commonly trimmed with fur.
In Siam and all other parts of Asia where Christianity has not meliorated their state, the women are almost the same as slaves to the men; in this we see the verification of the threat God made to Eve. Among the great the women are confined in a harem, seldom going out. When princes give audience, they are placed at the lower end of the gallery, behind a mat screen, which enables them to see and hear without being seen themselves. They never eat with their husbands; and in their presence, do not put themselves on a level with them. If a woman sits on a more elevated place than her hus- hand, or if she inadvertently suspends a handkerchief or belt upon her head, the husband regards it as an insult to his person, or a proof that his wife wishes to govern, and may perhaps come to an open rupture in consequence. To ask a grandee concerning his wife’s health, to salute, or to speak to her in the presence of her hus- band, are things forbidden in Siam, and to do so would cause as much astonishment as scandal. You cannot convince an Asiatie that a woman can ever be of sufficient importance for a man of sense ever to concern himself about her, or take any interest in her health. In one province of this kingdom men think themselves dishonored if they pass a place that has been polluted by a woman’: presence.’ One of our priests being on a mission there, was told not to pass by a certain way, that it was for the women. Men do not suffer the women to enter the house by the some door with themselves; and on the same principle also refuse them a place in heaven, saying that it would be derogatory to a man to be found in heaven with a woman. Persons of this sex among the lower orders cannot leave the house merely to promenade, they can only go to traffic, or to work. While the husband plays, drinks, sleeps, or works or the king, the wife supports the family by her industry. The Christians, however, conduct towards their wiwes somewhat as Europeans do.
Polygamy is permitted to all. The king gives the title of queen to only one of the wives, all the others being inferior to her. Private persons, who have several wives have the right of choosing one, who
s As we know not where the -I province” here alluded to is situated, we can. not dmidu as to the accuracy of this statement.
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