The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-31

Frankfort tho first business city, not alone OF
Germany, but almost of tho world.
v.
In q chapter on popular life as reflected by
art, there Is abundant evidence that the peasant
OF the fifteenth century was not an oppressed
boor, condemned to a life of sordld vulgarity, as
he became after the social revolution Of the
sixteenth century, but q sturdy. independent
being, full OF courage and spirit. Having the
right to bear arms. he was as well equipped for
self-protection as any city guild associate; he
took part in public life and sat In district
courts. Thanks to the number OF genre pic
lures. done by tho best artists OF the time, we
can contrast the manners Of the day with
those of later times. On a miniature 10
represented q market scene, in which wo-
men and young girls their wares
and offer them for s~ale-white bread and butter
on a white plate, eggs in baskets, and milk in
jugs. Pigeons and young chickens are tied In
hampers. which are carried on the heads Of tho
women. The hair. divided In the middle, is al
lowed to hang loose by the young girls, while
by the older women it is hidden under a hand
kerchief, which hangs loosely down on the sides
under the chin. An inspection Of the still ex-
tant inventories of the wardrobes of well-to-do
citizens will give us some idea of the luxury
and variety of dress at the close OF the middle
ages. In the will OF the wife of George Win
ter OF dated 1885. mention Is
made. among other things, of four mantles Of
Malines silk. six long overskirts. three smock
frocks, three underdresses, six white aprons.
two white and one black bath cloaks. Along
with other jewels, thirty rings are enumerated.
In 1900 a citizen OF Breslau contributed to his
daughters trousseau a fur-lined mantle and
dress, four dresses Of different values. several
caps, sashes, and armlets. a bodice embroid-,
cred with pearls. and a betrothal ring worth
twenty-five forms. Another citizens daughter
received in 1870 from her guardians as her In
heritance from her mother thirty-six gold rings,
besides several chains, buckles, and cinctures.
Even among the working classes there was a
great variety in the color as we'll as in the shapes
of clothes. Stonecutters and carpenters worked
in costumes consisting of a red coat with blue
trousers and cap. or in a yellow coat with red
trousers and cap; others again are represented
In light blue and green, mixed with yellow and
red. The tradesmen behind their counters also
wore the same bright colors. A peasant bringing
his pig to market wears red hat, a green coat.
and brown trousers. A truckman wheeling a
hoRshead before him appears in a red coat lined
with green. red cap. blue hose, and bronze rid
Ing boots. The village dandies delighted in pro-
ducing ridiculous effects by the multitude of
colors worn at the same time. One side of
their costume would be of one hue, while the
other was composed of all the shades of tho
rainbow divided into different figures: others
would appear in red from head to foot. EN-
broidery was also much, used. In the year
1864. Bernard Rohrbacb from Frankfort had
the sleeves OF his coat so richly embroidered
that they had eleven ounces OF silver on them.
On the other hand. scientific and professional
men wore long, full robes, reaching to the feet,
almost always of a dark color. but occasionally
red. A aimDle birettalike can COyered THAR
close-cut HAIR. Distinct costumes for each rank
and position were characteristic of German life
as depicted by German art
The room in which DIrer depicts st. Jerome
has two windows with small round panes; the
ceiling is of dark timber: In tho corner is an
antique oak table. on which are a crucifx and
an inkstand; the furniture 10 ample and COM
Portable. In the background are to be seen the
large hourglass which was considered an in
dispensable accessory in all we'll Regulated
households; a row of tapers ready lighted,
fiasks of balsam, and a medicine case stocked
with household remedies. There also Is a
leather portfolio with writing materials, and a
pair of largo scissors. Beside the rosary lies a
brush; from the ceiling hangs a gourd; under
the bench are thick -soled sabots. Anything
that may be wanting to make this q complete
picture of a German home is added by Dnrer In
the bedroom of st. Anna, after the birth of tho
VIRGIN. hero u Wluo blhlTWay, Win neAVy Dali |
uetrades. leads from the end OF the room to an
upper storey near the door. whose massive locks
attract attention, is a washstand, with all its
conveniences. towels and brushes hanging near.
On a shelf are seen a richly bound prayer book,
q handsome cRudlestick, spice and medicine
boxes. In front of the window is drawn up one
OF the comfortable seats which arc yet to be-
seen In old German houses. There are no chairs
in the room, but. instead, several cushioned
seats The table is massive, and the national
carved chest, the repository of the choice house.
hold linen. stands In the corner. st. Anna lies
in a canopisd bed. and is in the act of taking
some soup or other recuperative beverage.
Everything around her bespeaks the perfection
OF housekeeping. The sponsors and neighbors
gathered together are refreshing themselves
with food and drink, and ono stout housewife. |
In full armor OF side pocket, bunch or keys. and
chatelaine, seems particularly anxious for q
drauRht. A maid servant is in the act OF bring
ing in a cradle and a bath for the infant Mary.
VI.