New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-04-02
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

complete snd authentic memoir OF the great uo-
neyan Reiormer, which nas yet been given TO
the public. The author has devoted himself
with exemplary diligence and fidelity to the
study Of the original sources. His mind IS enl.
nently adapted to the work Of historical compost
ton. With the breadth Of view which cbarac-
terise6 German scholarship in every department,
he combines an acute critical Judgment an ad'
mirable impArtiality, and an enlightened rsveF-
ence for the character of bis illustrious subject
His defence OF the xcepsionable features In Cal
WINS history is conducted with ingenuity and
force, though it will hardly convince the modern
reader of the sweetness of bis temper, or the hu
mility Of his spirit. The volume is filed with
curious facts, illustrative Of the character Of the
times and will amply reward an attentive perusal.
We give few passages showing the rgor Of
the legislation established by Calvin;
RELIGIOUS SEVERITY.
All traces Of the old religion, wherever dis
covered were instantly abolished. The preach
ers kept watchful eye on families, and proved
the people to their opinions and behei' nor
allowing them to approach the Lords supper
without frat obtaining permission. But II man,
not forbidden 10 partake Of the sacrament, neg
leoted to receive it, be was condemned 70 ban
demned to do pensnce openly, because he had not
come to the Lords Supper at Whitsuntlfe and
bis son shared the punishment, because both had
neglected to attend afternoon service. In the
year 1861 the command was issued by the CON
sistory that DO one should remain three days In
bed from sckness without giving notice to the
minister of his quarter, that he might receive ad-
monition and cOmfort-then, It Is said, more
necessary than ever Sermons were frequent
and very much desired family worship was also
observed with the grestest regularity. Accord
ing to military order Of the yesr 1889 the garr-
son was to attend prayers twice a-day, and this
praiseworthy custom was kept up till the end OF
the last century. At every gate Of the city
soldier kneeed down before the portal was
closed at night, and before it was opened in the
morning, and repeated prayer with loud
voice. According 70 a state protocol, three chill
dren were punished because during the sermon
instead of going into church they renamed out
side to eat cakes Idle talk and conduct, such as
was contrary to good manners, or injured at all
the moral feeling, were severely chastlsed.-
Galiffe states, by way of Lnockery, that whilst
the preachers used hard, rade sayings in their
sermons, the consistory desired that the peasants
should use court language to their children and
that a country man was once brought 10 trial be-
cause he had cursed his beast. The judges pun
ished not only blasphemy, but such expressions
as iutmated even indirectly any disresPect to
ward God. In the year 1868 mason was pat
in prison three days, because while falling from
building he had exclaimed, " This must be the
devils way, and so too my master and the work
which he set me-" Those also were punished as
bssphemers who said hard things against the
refugees, because, being spoken against martyrs,
they were considered as spoken against God.
OBEDIENCE TO PARENTS.
In the year 1868 young girl who had insuIted
her mother was kept confined, fed on bread and
water. and obliged to express her repentance
| l,oIxy ~, fba oh A
called bis mother devil, and flung stone at
her. was publicly whipt, and suspended by his
arms 20 a gallOws a. sign that he deserved
death, and was only spared on account OF his
youth Another child in 1868, for having struck
bis parents was beheaded. A lad Of sixteen, for
having only threatend to strike his mother, was
condemned to death on account OF his youth
sbeS after being HhPpsa wa" S@S
about his neck. The stern legislator desired that
| children should be brought up in the strictest
manner, but at the same time instructors were
forbidden to employ undue severity and one OF
them in 500, that is, in Calvin's life time, was
degraded end condemned to perform penance, be-
cause he had broken out the tooth of one of his
pupils.
GENERAL MANNERS.
The military ordinance before alluded to de-
clares that rape and the double crime Of adultery
should be punished with loss of life; simple adul
terry was TO be punished with the iron.colar;
witchcrAft with only nineteen days. impriSon-
ment; but the StAtesregister names a great
number of individuals who were drowned for
this species of crime. In the year 1543 a young
female singer was banahed for year and day;
the man who shared her guilt was only mpris-
oned three days; this distinction in the treatment
OF the man and the woman 10 met with con-
tinualy the latter was subjected to the severe
infection Of Punishment, because she sang world
ly lcentious songs In the year 1865 another
was scourged because she sang common songs
10 psalm tunes. la 1876 the consistory excom-
municated a young woman because she had
dressed herself In mans attire her mother was
subjected to the same punishment, because she
had permitted the girl thus to disguise herself
In the year 1879 gentleman Of responsibility in
the city, imprisoned twenty four hours be-
cause be had been found reading the Fl0rentine
Poggio's narratives: he was compelled publicly
to burn the work, denomnated in the register as
profane and infamous. In the same manner, in
1898, a man was thrown into prison for dressing
bimseh as q woman.
The severity of the legislation thus established
is evinced in some OF the minuter points OF dsci-
pine. Brides, for example, were not permitted
to wear wreaths in their bonnets, unless OF I'M
blemished character. Before the time of Calvin,
the laws az inst luxury and the mode of living
among the reformed Genevese indicate the pre-
valence of great luxury and splendor in the city.
This appears from coloquy by Matthew Cor
der, In his description of most sumptuous FEAST
at which the four syndics were present. These
manners however were altogether changed, and
in the second half Of the sixteenth century, Sc
verify, simplicity and moderation characterized
in an extraordinary degree, the mode Of living
adopted by the inhabitants Gamblers were set
in the pillory with their cards about their necks
even In 1906 the council had forbiddeq playing
with Dice ninepins. cards in the public streets
In the year 1916 and 1856 laws we're passed pro-
hibiting the manufacture of cards. The clergy
ad ofi CAT in
ter than the council they refused to tolerate
many amusements which the council accounted
innocent. In the year 1876 they excommuni-
Gated some young people, who on the day of the
three holy kings were found playing at game
common to the festival, and one Of the simplest
among them was persuaded into the belief that
his head would be cut off. The council considered
IL - IL l.. Il