As a widow in early life, her lot is not quite so pleasant.

It is not thought desirable for widows to remarry; but if she remains single, she becomes "a rudderless boat;" round which gathers much calumny.

Many young women brave public opinion, and enter into second nuptials.

If they are bent upon remarrying, runs the saying, they can no more be prevented than the sky can be prevented from raining.
The days of "golden lilies," as the artificially small feet of Chinese women are called, are generally believed to date from the tenth century A.D., though some writers have endeavoured to place the custom many centuries earlier.

It must always be carefully remembered that Manchu women--the women of the dynasty which has ruled since 1644--do not compress their feet.