AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS. 71 



of the wife are nearly equal to those of the husband, 

 but in all out-door arrangements, as in moving camp, 

 paying debts, buying and selling, the authority of 

 the men is supreme, and no reference even is made 

 to the women ; but, as there is no rule without an 

 exception, so we have seen Mongol ladies who not 

 only managed their household, but interfered in other 

 affairs as \vell — in fact, completely henpecked their 

 husbands. 



The appearance of the women is not attractive. 

 The typical features of their race, the flat face and 

 high cheekbones, spoil their looks ; and the rough 

 life in the yurta, exposure to the weather and dirt, 

 deprive them of any feminine grace and delicacy, 

 and all attractiveness to European eyes. As a rare 

 exception, but only in some princely families, a beauti- 

 ful face may now and then be seen, its fortunate 

 possessor being surrounded by a crowd of adorers, 

 for the Mongols are very susceptible to the charms 

 of the fair sex. The women are far less numerous 

 than the men, a fact which is accounted for by the 

 celibacy of the lamas. The Mongol is an excellent 

 father, and passionately fond of his children. When- 

 ever we gave them anything they always divided it 

 equally among all the members of their family, were 

 it a lump of sugar, and the portion of each individual 

 only a crumb. The elders are always held in great 

 respect, especially old men, whose opinions and 

 commands are implicitly followed. They are very 

 hospitable. Any one who enters the yurta is regaled 

 with tea and milk, and, for old acquaintance sake, a 



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