The Ladies’ Hour.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 195, 18 November 1880, Page 2

The Ladies’ Hour.

i A peculiar custom in Corea is thus described by a recent traveller : —“ In cities and small townships it is considered a great offence against modesty and custqm whenever a woman is - met ih ..the ; jjgubliq. streets in ;the,daytimq, and , they quit .their hardly ever during the day. To ; indemnify them for this strictly kept up seclusion the following remarkable arrangement Has been made. At nine o’clock in the evening during summer, and at an early hour in the winter time the city gates of Sapul, and other towns are closed at a .given signal. As soon as this has'taken place all meri v are bound to...leave the.; streets, and these are abandoned .to the women for the purpose of recreation arid promenading. Any. male finding himself by accident belated and behind the appointed time in the streets is sure to hurry to his house as fast as possible without looking’ up or regarding anything about ■him/’and severe punishment would fall upon any person .daring ; in thej face of .this stringent prohibition .• to . molest r women in Good ■ breeding demands from any man (arid this is always done) to cover his face with a fan as soon as he encounters ladies walking during . these hpursp. so, that hefrnay not be Tecognised,- and walk over to the . other side of the street so as not to disturb or terrify them.” ....