WOMEN UNDER POLYGAMY
feminine than the Chinese woman, on the one hand, and the Indian on the other. But which is here cause and which is effect? It is a very difficult problem. Certain it is that the women have now attained such a level of intelligence, and above all, of character, that they can hold their own in virtue of it. Whether they have those qualities by help of their opportunities, or the possession of the qualities made the opportunity, or both, it is hard, or impossible, to say."
"The Soul of a People," by H. Fielding, is a highly appreciative tribute to the fine qualities of the Burmese. There are three interesting chapters on "Women," in which the author's enthusiasm is infectious. The glow of the Burmese maidens' eyes is in these pages, and we get delightful glimpses of their home-life.
Mr. Fielding tells us that the women of Burma have the "hot love and daring of a man," and that they are "impulsive and full of passion." Sometimes they make the first advances in love. Passion is no mere passing incident in their lives. They live for love; it fills their whole emotion. At the same time, they all have work to do, and they are very rarely idle, like so many of the Mohammedan women. They perform men's labour in the fields and in carrying loads. Men in Burma sew and embroider. The women say that the men can do women's work better than a woman.
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