ETHNOLOGY OF THE PRESENT DAY. 141 



emigrate than the people in South Germany. The mountaineers, who, for the 

 most part, are poorer than the inliahitants of the fertile plains, are more good- 

 natured and more complaisant, but more sensual also, than the farming peas- 

 jintry of tlic low lands. The popular festivals most generally kept are the 

 anniversaries of church consecrations (church-ale) and target shooting, which 

 is carried on, on a grand scale. 



The Wendes are less refined, but industrious and temperate, frugal and 

 hospitable. They are a vigorous kind of men, and their language is melodious 

 and energetic. In their manners and customs they have many peculiarities. 

 At the birth of a child, the midwife goes out to invite the sponsors. In case 

 the child is a boy, she holds in her hands a small black rod ; if a girl, a white 

 one, or else merely a white cloth. After the christening of the child, she 

 takes it back to its parents, bringing at the same time the presents of the 

 sponsors, to Avhich. when it is a boy, are added nine kinds of seeds ; 

 Avhen a girl, a sewing needle and a few grains of flaxseed. When giving 

 invitations to a wedding, the bridegroom and the inviters {Hochzeitbittcr) 

 appear in black attire, upon black horses adorned Avith variegated ribands : 

 it is only in case the bridegroom is poor that they appear on foot. On 

 the Avedding day the bride wears a black coat lined with fur, a black 

 velvet cone-shaped cap, upon which is placed a broad brass ring studded 

 Avith stars, and a green or red silk croAvn. The tAvo plaits of hair, Avhich 

 hang doAvn beloAv the bridal cap, are bound around Avith a green silk 

 riband. Strings of coral, and gold or silver chains Avith old coins, decorate 

 the neck. When the procession proceeds to church, the bride is attended 

 by a troop of bridesmaids dressed like herself and the bride-mother or 

 Salzmiiste (literally salt box), Avhich latter personage, upon the return, 

 throAvs out cakes and small pieces of money. Musicians marching in 

 front play the bridal march. Among rich Wendes many, among poor 

 ones fcAv dishes are customary, and after every course the guest cleans 

 his Avooden platter Avith a piece of bread. The bride holds the slice of 

 bread first cut oif, and preserves it carefully, as hidden virtues are ascribed 

 to it. After the eatino; comes dancino-. At the home-brinfrino; of the bride 

 to her future dAvelling, she sits upon a Avagon packed Avith her entire effects, 

 and gives, as a present, to the first person Avho meets her in the yard of 

 her ncAv residence, a loaf of bread, and to the others beer out of a milk 

 A-essel. 



77/(9 Prussia)}. Province of Saxony comprehends very different stocks of 

 people. It consists of that portion Avhich formerly belonged to the Kingdom 

 of Saxony, and Avhich at the Congress of Vienna fell to the share of Prussia, 

 and of the Altmark fused into the governmental district Magdeburg. Ancient 

 and modern Saxon and Thuringian, as Avell as ancient German and Slavonic 

 manners, are here combined. 



The Thirrin^'ian stock is a peculiar one, and inhabits the Province of 

 Saxony, the Grand Duchy Saxe-Weimar, the Duchies Saxe Meiningen- 

 Hildburghausen and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha ; also SchAvarzburg-Rudolstadt, 

 Sondershausen, and Electoral Hesse. The Thuringian possesses a true 

 German character ; he is faithful and honest ; makes use of but few Avords, 



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