314 
THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA. 
[chap. 
carry on a life vvliicli, according to European standards of morality, 
is not very commendable. When the time fixed in the agree- 
meut has passed, they return to their homes and marry, without 
having sunk in any way in the estimation of their relatives. 
But those are unfortunate who, in any of the towns that are not 
yet opened to foreigners, carry on a love intrigue with a European. 
JAPANESE LADY AT HER T( lEETlE. 
They are then openly pointed out, even in the newspapers, as 
immoral, and their respectability is helplessly gone. Formerly 
they were even in such cases severely punished. 
All women of the lower classes, and even most of the higher, 
wear the Japanese dress. The more distinguished ladies are 
often exceedingly beautiful, they have in particular beautiful 
