Queries.
CONTINENTAL WATCHMEN AND THEIR SONGS.
The inquiries I made in Vol. iii., p. 324., respecting the Bellman and his Songs, have been answered by most interesting information (pp. 377. 451. 485.); and the references made by the Editor to V. Bourne's translation was most acceptable. The interest of this subject is increased by finding that the Custos Nocturnus exists at the present day in other countries, resembling very much in duties, costume, and chants the Westminster Bellman. I venture to send you extracts from W. Hurton's Voyage from Leith to Lapland, and Dr. Forbes's Physician's Holiday.
"During the past year of 1849 it has been my lot to reside at four of the most remarkable capitals of Europe, and successively to experience what spring is in London, what summer is in Paris, what autumn is in Edinburgh, and what winter is in Copenhagen. Vividly, indeed, can I dwell on the marvellous contrast of the night aspect of each: but one of the most interesting peculiarities I have noticed in any of them, is that presented by the watchmen of the last-named. When I first looked on these guardians of the night, I involuntarily thought of Shakspeare's Dogberry and Verges. The sturdy watchers are muffled in uniform great coats, and also wear fur caps. In their hand they carry a staff of office, on which they screw, when occasion requires, that fearful weapon the 'morning star.' They also sometimes may be seen with a lanthorn at their belt: the candle contained in the lanthorn they place at the top of their staff, to relight any street-lamps which require trimming. In case of fire, the watchmen give signals from the church towers, by striking a number of strokes, varying with the quarter of the city in which the fire occurs; and they also put from the tower flags and lights pointed in the direction where the destructive element is raging. From eight o'clock in the evening, until four (Query, until five) o'clock in the morning, all the year round, they chant a fresh verse at the expiration of each hour, as they go their rounds. The cadence is generally deep and guttural, but with a peculiar emphasis and tone; and from a distance it floats on the still night air with a pleasing and impressive effect, especially to the ear of a stranger. The verses in question are of great antiquity, and were written, I am told, by one of the Danish bishops. They are printed on a large sheet of paper, with an emblematical border, rudely engraved in the old style; and in the centre is a large engraving exactly representing one of the ancient watchmen, in the now obsolete costume, with his staff and 'morning star' in hand, a lanthorn at his belt, and his dog at his feet.
"A copy of the broadside has been procured me, and my friend Mr. Charles Beckwith has expressly made for me a verbatim translation of the verses; and his version I will now give at length. I am induced to do this, because, not only are the chants most interesting in themselves, as a fine old relic of Scandinavian customs, but there seems to me a powerful poetical spirit pervading them. At the top of the sheet are the lines which in the translation are—
'Watch and pray,
For time goes;
Think and directly,
You know not when.'
"In large letters over the engraving of the watchman are the words (translated):