THE DUTCH WAY

Evening Star, Issue 22790, 27 October 1937, Page 17

THE DUTCH WAY

QUAINT MARRIAGE CUST6MS The monarch of the Netherlands, is Queen Wilhelmina. After her Princess Juliana will ascend the throne. Dutch history is full of masterful, courageous women, and it is natural that in modern Holland women should be active and free. Purely civil marriages are increasing. The picturesque older form survives chiefly in country districts. With her parents’ permission, a girl spends the evening alone with her suitor. If she heaps coal on the fire, he is accepted. A dying fire symbolises refusal. At betrothal, which is very binding, they exchange rings. Tho wedding takes place from the bridegroom’s house. There, a day before, arrives the bride with her belongings. On the wedding day they go first to tho Town Hall for the civil ceremony, which is followed by a service in church. In appearance, Dutch women are matronly. The modern girl is coming to pride herself on slimness. Fair-com-ploxioned, healthy, well-grown, she is fond of sports, especially of the national favourite, skating. Dutch women are placid and practical. But they are also strong-minded and independent. To such a type the new ways of emancipation have come easily. _ The Dutch have adopted the undistinguished clothes common to Western Europe. Only in remote villages is the traditional costume seen. It is quaint but unhygienic. Tho headpiece, often a family heirloom, is the chief feature. A thin gold band fits closely to the skull. It is covered with a cap of lace, while gold plates hang on either cheek like blinkers. Over tho full skirts aprons are worn; underneath several petticoats. The bodice of Mack velvet has short and very tight sleeves. Women are employed in every branch of commerce and industry. They predominate in domestic service, clothing, office work, the retail trades. Since 1922 women have possessed the vote. They are admitted to the Dutch Parliament. One well-known member is Cornelia Katz, a blend of (Beatrice Webb and Lady Aster. In education girls have tho same facilities as boys, Teaching is severely practical, not designed to form character. About one-fifth of university students are women. Professional women I include doctors, lawyers, architects, Perhaps the world knows tho Dutch I woman best as housewife. Her cooking

is excellent but elaborate; her meals enormous. Spring cleaning always is in progress. The drawback to this mania for cleanliness is that women have little time for recreation.