Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1882 — The women of Lima. [ARTICLE]

The women of Lima.

* £ima>Mn exchange, iIJhIMI Kradise of women. They are canea sutiful; so they are, if you admire •black eyes and etyny tresses—not. the dreamy black eyes of the harems, nor the sparklinftblack eyes of the Syrians nor Iho liquid Mack eyes of the Egyptians, but the black eyee that easily reveal the differently pee of character. Peruvian ladies have character and are ndt afraid toebow it; votive hear nothing of erfpAl rights and privileges among them. For them to lay claim to a right is but to possess it, for they cau easily win over the priest hood ,auil thus have the most powerful class of Peru on their side. They are generally occupied, but do not work; they look upon work as degrading. They riße early, take a cup oFMs and go to mass. Their toilet requires but a few moments. Their walking suits are neat and pretty ; in this respect tliey surpass us. The dress is black and ~never touches the ground; there is no fussing or fumbling with train* A white skirt i* sometimes seen a little below the dress, with a deep hem and two tucks, and always white aud clean. Prunella gaiters pre generally worn; and lianas are bare; the inanta is thrown over the head, failing gracefully down almost to the bottom of the skirt. The subject of dress claims most of their time aud attention; their ball dresses andopera and soiree._ suits are magnificent. Their boots, especially are beautiful. Ho-people have naturally as small feet,as the Peruvians. The Peruvian-made - boots are too •mall for foreigners, •- .7 Peruvian ladies are not very intelligent ; as soon as they pass beyond the school-girl period they care little for books or literature. Many learn to play the piano when young, but do not Care to continue when married. They are excessively courteous in their manners, but we are not to be misled by appearances. Their mode of salutation is more of an embrace than anytliiug else, and they always say; “My house aud all that 1 have is entirely at your disposal, aud we are to be as one family. They are always wealthy in imagination—at least they never speak of poverty. They love to smoke. Although handsome when young, they scarcely turn twenty when they begin to fade. One thing always lasts with them, and that is their gait.