A Grecian Girl

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 103, 28 October 1933, Page 19

A Grecian Girl

The life of-a.girl in ancient Greece, as a contrast to that of the girl: of today, is. described' by Miss Diana. Maugham in the "Daily'Ma.il." A Grecian maiden—the words must have v magic sound-to echo, so deceptively down the years, calling up. some vision of immortal grace and freedom-; of bronzed and supple bodies under the bluest of skies. Actually the'daily existence, of a,.well-born Athenian girl in. tho time of Greece's splendour ■ would seem Uttle better than slavery to the young woman of this century (states Miss Maugham). ■ ' • ' . SECLUDED LIFE. ' Born and brought up in the "gynaikonitis," or women's quarters, she went out only on the rarest occasions, and then heavily chaperoned. Her life was passed in seclusion and ignorance, with Uttle except the interests of dress and domestic duties to enliven the monotony. Unmarried girls occasionally tooK • part in religious ceremonies and dances, but they were separated from the boys. There was no question of friendship between young people of opposite sex. The girl remained'uneducated and confined in her mother's care until the tune camo for her to pass meekly from the gynaikonitis of her father to that ot her husband. Spinning, weaving, and preparing meals were her chief occupations, and, ctc-rnal solace of woman, the adornment of her person. BEAUTIFUL WEDDINGS. Plato in his "Republic" fixes the ideal ago for marriage at 20 for a girl and 30 for a man; but parents wero often anxious to dispose- of their daughters as early as possible, and would make no objection to an ugly or elderly suitor. Equality of birth and wealth were the chief considerations. The father of the bride gave a money settlement and a personal outfit of'clothes, jewellery, and slaves. If his daughter were ill-treated or unhappy in her married life she had the right to leave her husband and betake he°rself and her property back to her father or nearest male relation. Infidelity or ill-usage on the part of the husband was considered sufficient grounds for this, and on separating, the wife had to make a written statement to the Archon who kept the register, of divorces. .':'.. The absence of all personal choice and the total 'ignorance'of the bride about the man slip was marrying make it difficult for us of the 'twentieth..century to imagine any. romanbe. But the ceremonies of their marriage were very beautiful, and it must have been a solemn moment-in a girl's life when the time-came for her to leave her father's household and'preside,', with, all the dignity'of a' matron, o.v.cr a new, strange hearth ' ' .-/ ; \ ~. -." <:. The actual marriage., ceremony* or leading home, was preceded by offorings to -Zeus Teleios,. iHera Teleia, and other gods protecting marriage. \. The bridal:batb was the 'second ceremony, which both.bride aid bridegroom had to go through .before,their union. In. Athens tho water for. this bath was fetched .by . watcr-carrie.rs '• ii'i'.om, a special well called a' holy fountain. .-•.-. ;' • - - ■ " >.' ' - . ■In the evening a large meal.was held at tho bride's 'parental,': home and at this women wero'prcsent., , . ■_~,. AFTER THE WEDDING. Towards dark,- When the/meal was over, the bride left .tho festivelyadorned houses of lier family and, en-, tering the chariot of the bridegroom, drove with him ■ slowly through the streets to his dwelling. \ On her other side sat ,the best man, chosen from among his relatives or intimate friends. Tho sound of flutes and friendly greetings from "all passers-by aecoinpanied their procession. Behind the chariot walked the mother of the bride, bearing', according to custoni immemorial, the wedding torches kindled at the parental hearth. . At the door of the bridegroom's home his mother awaited the young couple, burning torches in her hand. The company then sat down to another feast, and the day ended with wedding hymns. - • A wife, in ancient- Greece, was regarded somewhat in the ■ light of a faithful domestic slave, and she in no way shared her husband's intellectual life, but from now on she would at least be mistress of her own heartlvand an absolute ruler in a limited sphere. What is claimed to be the smallest organ in the world is 'intended for.' "Titiinin Palace," the famous 'ancestor of tho Queen's Doll's House, which has been I on exhibition for eleven years, and has produced £42,000, for charities. I

"Sport and General" Photo. SOMETHING NEW FOR EVENING WEAR.— -An original evening gown by Baroque, London. Inspired by a china statuette, it is of grey-blue taffeta, the skirt trimmed ■ with tiers-, -of accordeonplealcd. frills. A stiff bow,, high on the neck, and stiffened epaulette sleeves are novel details. The bodice is low in the back and the skirt narrow, a feature of the new models.