The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1914. EAST AND WEST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 32, 29 May 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1914. EAST AND WEST.

Whether contentment or happiness is the more desirable is possibly open to discussion, but according to an eminent Chinese student now in London, these two variable states of mind constitute the chief difference between the women of the East and their European American and Australasian sisters. In China, this philosopher asserts contentment is to be met with in every station of life, but among English girls and women such a thing seems quite unusual. Englishwomen are too restless, too full of life, too interested in what is going on around them ever to be contented, but they have discovered the wonderful secret of where to find happiness. Chinese women are contented in much the same way as children are contented. They have little freedom: they do not read; they play few games, and what music they have is of a very elementary character, for it is all unwritten, and therefore be learnt by heart. They are perfect mothers, and the bringing up of their children constitutes their greatest interest in life—beyond this their time is taken up with nothing more serious than eating and gossiping. They know no other life, so they are quite satisfied, but they cannot realise* what groat happiness means. Mr Ah Khoo, the student above referred to, also expresses the opinion that another great national difference is shown in the ideas of comfort in the home. The soft, luxurious Chesterfields and the easy chairs packed with cushions are both unknown in average Chinese houses*, though in towns where there is an English quarter the comfort of the armchair is found to be appreciated in other than English homes. The Chinese regard comfort, especially for men, with great iiupicion, They \ram

their sons against its insidious power. Beware of it-—they say—for it will make you soft and lacking in will power. Even women are not allowed to pamper themselves with soft cushions and luxurious couches. 'When taking a short afternoon rest they are quite satisfied with a porcelain pillow, and the ordinary bed pillows are always very hard. Dress is a favorite topic of conversation inj the women's quarters. though to Western eyes the subject sounds extremely limited, for the cut of every dress is always the same. A few Chinese women have adopted the occasional use of European dress, but Mv Khoo declares the effect to be utterly inartistic, and ie sinee-oly hopes that the fashion will not increase. English girls in Chinese dress, says .Mr Khoo, look feltogether charming, especially when they do nor copy the Chinese method of hairdressing too closely.