ETHNOLOGY OF THE ITIESENT DAY. 143 



altogctlicr peculiar. They are of Sorbcn Wcndisli descent, but by this 

 time, however, have become fully germaiiized. PI. 2, figs. 23 and 24, 

 give us a representation of the costumes of a male and female peasant of 

 'Altenburg. It is very original, and even children Avear it from the time 

 they are three years of age. The hair is cut short, and round ; and upon 

 the head, as an esteemed ornament, sits a quite low, narrow brimmed, 

 black felt hat. The shirt is furnished with a cellar resembling a border, 

 embroidered with small figures of white linen thread. The name of the 

 owner is wrought in black silk, and tlie shirt is fastened with a black riband, 

 and a buckle, which is often valuable. Over the shirt is worn a broad 

 black vest, which is edged at the neck Avith red cloth ; aiid over this are 

 worn suspenders of black varnished leather, neatly stitched witli green silk, 

 and held together in the middle by a cross-piece. Wide black buckskin 

 breeches, fastened at the knee, form a part of the best dress, especially 

 when the wearer, on holidays or at weddings, and in Avarm A\eather, throws 

 oif his upper garment, and goes in his fine, very wide, finely plaited, snow- 

 white shirt sleeves. Over this under-dress, the peasant wears his principal 

 garment, the cape, of black cloth, lined with green flannel, with three neat 

 plaits upon the back, reaching from the short waist to the calf of the 

 leg, and fastened in front with hooks and loops, or with buttons. Boots 

 are worn on the feet, laced shoes less frequently, and then generally in 

 summer. When the more aged peasant goes to town he carries his basket 

 on his back, and has an iron stick. In summer the peasant has another 

 cape of very white cloth, tight, without seam, with small plaits on the 

 shoulder, wide sleeves growing narrower towards the hand, trimmed at the 

 end with black leather, and adorned with velvet cuffs, which reach nearly 

 to the elbows. From the neck, down in front, the white cape is lined with 

 blue striped ticking, or some other linen fiibric of a similar nature, some- 

 times also with English calico, with a narrow border of leather or velvet. 

 Shoes are worn with the white cape. The peasants, at present, also 

 frequently wear a cloth spencer, mostly of a green color, which is always 

 kept buttoned up, and in winter trimmed with fur or plush. In winter, 

 and in rainy weather, a large cloak, generally made of green or dark blue 

 cloth, or a species of blanket coat, is also worn. Besides these the peasant 

 often wears in Avinter a coat of handsome Avhite fur on the outside, and 

 a black fur cap, upon Avhich the small hat is squeezed. Girls Avear their 

 hair in tAVo plaited bands, Avhich are twisted in the form of a circle around 

 the centre of the head, and above this is the " nest," Avhich consists of a 

 band of pasteboard about tAAO inches broad, sewed together at the ends, 

 covered with calico, or other stuff, beset Avith enamel or spangles, and 

 encompassed by a rim of pasteboard or paper. It is held fast by an iron 

 or brass needle (Senkniile), broad at both ends. Underneath and around 

 the nest is Avorn a black riband binding, Avhich ends on the forehead in 

 a point, and at the place Avhere the ends of the pasteboard are fastened in 

 a neat bow. The throat and back of the neck are covered Avith a collar 

 and ribands. At present, the girls frequently >\'ear a variegated hand- 

 kerchief over their braids in Avinter, from the knots of Avhich the tAvo long 



315 



