[11] The late King of Bavaria, Ludwig II., made an attempt at reviving these brotherhoods, such as they existed in Germany in the Middle Ages. He himself was the head of the confraternity, and designed the costumes to be worn by its members, who, with their long pilgrim robes, cockle-shells, and wide flapping hats, were among the most conspicuous figures at the royal funeral last summer.
[12] This would seem to be an allusion to the Roumanian fashion in some districts of twisting up the veil into a horn-like shape on the head.
[13] The borten is the high, stiff head-dress worn by all Saxon girls, and which they only lay aside with their marriage.
[14] St. Catherine is throughout Germany the patroness of old maids—likewise in France, “coiffer la Sainte Catherine.”
[15] Out of the several slightly different versions of this song to be found in different districts I have selected those verses which seemed most intelligible.
[16] Two fir-trees were often planted before Saxon peasant houses.
[17] So in the Altmark the newly married couple used to be served with a soup composed of cattle-fodder, hay, beans, oats, etc., to cause the farm animals to thrive.
[18] In Sweden the mother takes her seat on the coffer containing her daughter’s effects, and refuses to part with it till the son-in-law has ransomed it with money.
[19] On the rare occasions when the Saxon peasant consults a physician, he is determined to reap the utmost advantage from the situation. An amusing instance of this was related to me by a doctor to whom a peasant had come for the purpose of being bled. Deeming that the patient had lost sufficient blood, the doctor was about to close the wound, when the Saxon interposed. “Since I have come this long way to be bled, doctor,” he remonstrated, “you might as well let ten kreuzers’ worth more blood flow!”
[20] The Roumanian peasant has a passion for white snowy linen. Usually it is his sweetheart on whom devolves the duty of keeping it clean, or, when he has no sweetheart, then his mother or sister.