“Neu Jahrs Geschenk von der
Ehrlichen Bruderschaft.[10]
Alt Gesel Georg Bayr,
Junger Tomas Fraytag
1791.”
The dish makes a convenient tray for holding calling-cards, and its origin is an interesting addition to the history of these Saxon people, as it comprises two noteworthy features of their organization—namely, the Bruderschaften (brotherhoods9) and the Nachbarschaften (neighborhoods).
The Bruderschaft is an association to which belong all young men of the parish, from the date of their confirmation10 up to that of their marriage. This community is governed by strict laws, in which the{80} duties of its members respectively, as citizens, sons, brothers, suitors, and even dancers, are distinctly traced out. In their outward form these brotherhoods have some sort of resemblance to the religious confraternities still existing in many Catholic countries, and most probably they originated in the same manner; but while these latter have now degenerated11 into mere12 outward forms, the Saxon brotherhoods have retained the original spirit of such institutions, principally consisting in the reciprocal watch its members kept over one another’s morality. Mr. Boner, in his book, very aptly compares the Saxon Bruderschaften to the Heidelberg Burschenschafts; and spite of the great difference which may at first sight appear, these institutions are the only ones to which the Saxon brotherhoods may at all be likened. In the towns these confraternities have now completely disappeared; but in villages they are still in full force, and have but little or nothing of their original character.[11]
The head of the Brotherhood8 is called the Alt-knecht. He is chosen every year, but can be deposed13 at any time if he prove unworthy of his post. It is his mission to watch over the other members, keep order, and dictate14 punishments; but when he is caught erring15 himself he incurs16 a double forfeit17. When a new Alt-knecht is about to be chosen, the seven oldest brothers are proposed as candidates. With money received from the treasurer18 these repair to the public-house, there to await the decision of the confraternity. The other members meanwhile proceed to vote, and when they have made a decision, send a deputation of two brothers to invite the candidates to come and learn the result.
Twice the deputation is carelessly dismissed, the candidates affecting to feel no interest in the matter; only when the ambassadors appear for the third time two glasses of wine are filled for them, and they are desired to salute19 the new Alt-knecht.
The two emissaries then take place on either side of the newly chosen leader and drink his health, with the words, “Helf Gott, Alt-knecht.” They then all proceed back to the assembly-room, where the senior candidate says,
{81}
“God be with you, brother: you have sent for us; what do you want?”
The eldest20 among the voters answers for the others,
“We have chosen N. N. for our Alt-knecht; the other six can sit down.”
The lucky candidate is now expected to play the shamefaced, modest r?le, and say,
“Look farther, brother; seek for a better one.”
“We have already looked,” is the answer.
“And is it in truth your will that I and no other should be your head?”
“It is our will.”
“And shall it then be so?”
“It shall be so.”
“And may it be so?”
“It may be so.”
“Then God help me to act righteously towards myself and you.”
“God help you, Alt-knecht.”
The senior brother then solemnly presents him to the assembly, saying,
“See, brothers, this is the Alt-knecht you have chosen for the coming year. He is bound to undertake all journeys on behalf of the affairs of the confraternity, he will preside at our meetings, superintend the maids at their spinning evenings, and will punish each one according to his deserts; but when he is himself at fault, he shall be doubly visited (punished) by us.”
Six other brothers occupy different posts of authority under the Alt-knecht. The first in rank of these is the Gelassen Alt-knecht, who takes the place of the Alt-knecht when absent; he is likewise treasurer, and has the office of presenting newly chosen members to the pastor21. Once or twice a month there is a meeting of the Brotherhood at which the affairs of the confraternity are discussed and misdemeanors judged. In presiding at these meetings the Alt-knecht has in his hand, as insignia of his office, a wooden platter, with which he strikes on the table whenever he wishes to call the brothers to order.
Whoever, on these occasions, freely accuses himself of his faults incurs only half the penalty; but I am told that this contingency22 rarely occurs. The finable offences are numerous, and are taxed at{82} six, ten, twenty kreuzers and upwards23, according to the heinousness24 of the offence. Here are some of the principal delinquencies subject to penalties:
1. Carelessness or slovenliness25 of attire—every missing button having a fine attached to it.
2. Bad manners at table, putting the elbows on the board, or striking it with the fist when excited.
3. Irregularity in church attendance, falling asleep during the sermon, yawning, stretching, etc., a particularly heavy fine being put upon snoring.
4. Having, on fast-days, whistled loudly in the street, or worn colored ribbons in the hat.
Whoever be discontented with the punishment assigned to him, and forgets himself so far as to grumble26 audibly, incurs a double fine.
Four times yearly, before the Sacrament is administered in church, the Brotherhood hold what they call their Vers?hnungs-Abend (reconciliation evening), at which they mutually ask pardon for the injuries done.
Eight days after Quasimodo Sunday the Alt-knecht sends round an invitation to all newly confirmed youths to enter the confraternity. Their incorporation27 is accompanied by various ceremonies, one of which is that each newly chosen member is laden28 with a burden of heavy stones, old rusty29 pots and pans, broomsticks, and such-like rubbish, secured round his neck by means of ropes, this somewhat obscure ceremony being supposed to signify the subjection of the new member to the rules of the Brotherhood.
On his marriage a man ceases to be a member of the Brotherhood, on leaving which both he and his bride must pay certain taxes in meat, bread, and wine. Henceforth he belongs to the Nachbarschaft, or neighborhood. Every village is divided into four neighborhoods, each governed by a head, called the Nachbarvater. This second confraternity is conducted in much the same manner as the Brotherhood, with the difference that its regulations apply to the reciprocal assistance which neighbors are bound to render each other in various household and domestic contingencies30. Thus a man is only obliged to assist those who belong to his own quarter in building a house, cleaning out wells, extinguishing fires, and such-like. He must also contribute provisions on christening, marriage, and funeral occasions occurring within his neighborhood, and lend plates and jugs31 for the same.
{83}
The Nachbarvater has the responsibility of watching over the order and discipline in his quarter, enforcing the regulations issued by the pastor or the village maire, or Hann, and assuring himself of the cleanliness of those streets which lie under his jurisdiction32. When an ox or calf33 has perished through any accident, it is his duty to have the fact proclaimed in the neighborhood, each family in which is then obliged to purchase a certain portion of the meat at the price fixed34 by the Nachbarvater, in order to lighten the loss to the afflicted35 family. His authority extends even to the interior of each household, and he is bound to report to the pastor the names of those who absent themselves from church. He must fine the men who have neglected to approach the Sacrament, as well as the women who have lingered outside the church wasting their time in senseless gossip. Children who have been overheard speaking disrespectfully of their parents, couples whose connubial36 quarrels are audible in the street, dogs wantonly beaten by their masters, vain young matrons who have exceeded the prescribed number of glittering pins in their head-dress, or girls surpassing their proper allowance of ribbons—all come under his jurisdiction; and the Nachbarvater is himself subject to punishment if he neglect to report a culprit, or show himself too lenient37 in the dictation of punishment.
Of the third confraternity, to which belong the girls—viz., the Schwesterschaft, or Sisterhood—there is comparatively little to say; but the description of one of these Saxon village communities would not be complete without mention of the Hann, who, after the parson, is the most important man in the village.
The designation Hann has been derived38 by etymologists from the Saxon word chunna (hundred), out of which successively Hunna, Hund, Hunne, Honne, and Hann have been made. A Hundding or Huntari was a district comprising a hundred divisions (but whether heads of families or villages is impossible now to ascertain), and the Hund, Honne, or Hann was the title given to the man who governed this district. The appellation39 Hann is to be found in documents of the fifteenth century in the Rhine provinces, but seems to have disappeared there from use since that time.
The Saxon village Hann is chosen every three years; and though but a peasant himself like the neighbors around, he becomes, from the moment when he is invested in “a little brief authority,” an influential40 personage, whose word none dare to question. He is forthwith{84} spoken of as the “Herr Hann,” his wife becomes the “Frau Hanim,” and euer Weisheit (your wisdom) is henceforth the correct formula of address.
SAXON PEASANT GOING TO WORK.
In one village it is customary for the newly elected Hann to be placed on a harrow (the points turned upward), and thus drawn41 in triumph round the village. The election takes place by votes, much in the same way as the nomination42 of a pastor, and with like circumspection43. It is by no means easy to find a man well qualified44 for the office, for the Hann requires to have a very remarkable45 assortment46 of the choicest virtues47 in order to fit him for the place. He must be upright, honest, energetic, and practical, impervious48 to bribery49, and absolutely impartial50; moreover, he must not be poor, for noblesse{85} oblige, and his new dignity brings many outlays51 in its train. The modest supply of crockery which has hitherto been ample for the requirements of his family no longer suffices, for a Hann must be prepared to receive guests; such luxuries as coffee, loaf-sugar, and an occasional packet of cigars, must now find their way into his house, to say nothing of paper, pens, and ink: who knows whether even a new table or an additional couple of chairs may not become necessary?
Of course the Hann can only be chosen from among those residing in the principal street, and it is considered to be rather an indignity52 if he has taken his wife from some side-street family—a disadvantage only to be condoned53 for by very exceptional merit on his own part.
It would be endless were I to attempt enumerating54 all the duties of a village Hann; so let it suffice to say that the whole responsibility of the arrangements for the health, security, cleanliness, and general welfare of the village rests upon his shoulders. School attendance, military conscription, and tax-collecting are but a few of the many duties which devolve on him. His it is to decide on what day the corn is to be cut or the hay brought home; through which street the buffaloes55 are to be driven to pasture, and at which fountain it is permitted for the women to wash their linen56. He must assure himself that no cart return to the village after the curfew-bell has sounded; that the night-watchmen—one in each neighborhood—are punctual in going their rounds; and that the Nachbarv?ter make discreet57 and worthy7 use of their authority.
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1
zinc
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| n.锌；vt.在...上镀锌 | |
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2
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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3
engraved
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| v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中） | |
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4
inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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inscription
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| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
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7
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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8
brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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9
brotherhoods
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| 兄弟关系( brotherhood的名词复数 )； （总称）同行； （宗教性的）兄弟会； 同业公会 | |
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10
confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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11
degenerated
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| 衰退，堕落，退化( degenerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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13
deposed
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| v.罢免( depose的过去式和过去分词 )；（在法庭上）宣誓作证 | |
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14
dictate
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| v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令 | |
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15
erring
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| 做错事的，错误的 | |
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16
incurs
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| 遭受，招致，引起( incur的第三人称单数 ) | |
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17
forfeit
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| vt.丧失；n.罚金，罚款，没收物 | |
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18
treasurer
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| n.司库，财务主管 | |
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19
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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20
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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21
pastor
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| n.牧师，牧人 | |
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22
contingency
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| n.意外事件，可能性 | |
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23
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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24
heinousness
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25
slovenliness
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26
grumble
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| vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声 | |
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27
incorporation
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| n.设立，合并，法人组织 | |
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28
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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29
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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30
contingencies
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| n.偶然发生的事故，意外事故( contingency的名词复数 )；以备万一 | |
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31
jugs
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| （有柄及小口的）水壶( jug的名词复数 ) | |
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32
jurisdiction
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| n.司法权，审判权，管辖权，控制权 | |
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33
calf
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| n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮 | |
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34
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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35
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36
connubial
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| adj.婚姻的，夫妇的 | |
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37
lenient
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| adj.宽大的，仁慈的 | |
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38
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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39
appellation
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| n.名称，称呼 | |
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40
influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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41
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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42
nomination
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| n.提名，任命，提名权 | |
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43
circumspection
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| n.细心，慎重 | |
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44
qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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45
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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46
assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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47
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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48
impervious
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| adj.不能渗透的，不能穿过的，不易伤害的 | |
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49
bribery
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| n.贿络行为，行贿，受贿 | |
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50
impartial
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| adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的 | |
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51
outlays
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| v.支出，费用( outlay的第三人称单数 ) | |
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52
indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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53
condoned
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| v.容忍，宽恕，原谅( condone的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
enumerating
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| v.列举，枚举，数( enumerate的现在分词 ) | |
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55
buffaloes
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| n.水牛（分非洲水牛和亚洲水牛两种）( buffalo的名词复数 )；（南非或北美的）野牛；威胁；恐吓 | |
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56
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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57
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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