The New Monthly Belle Assemblée

Work at the parsonage went on incessantly, as if it were put in motion by a water-wheel. Every member of the family had his or her own occupation, and every occupation its appointed time.

A lively alarum was first pealed at four o'clock in the morning, shortly after which our parson, who had the rank of a Dean, rang the second, and in ten minutes more everybody was in motion. Breakfast, which had been set out the night before, being distributed to all, the menservants went at once to their work in the barn, and seven spinning-wheels began their murmuring hum around a large wood-fire, which it was the business of the youngest maid-servant to supply with pine-logs, brought in the preceding evening by the men-servants. In order that the spinners at their drowsy wheels might not be overtaken by sleep, they sang in chorus the morning hymn, which was changed to the Christmas hymn as soon as Advent was over; and this singing accompanied the spinning through the whole day. They all sang from memory, the same thing over and over again.

So the day went on. Prayer, in which all the family joined, followed the supper, after which the fire was put out, and the whole household sank to rest. Everything, even to the most trifling article, was left in its appointed place; every key upon its own nail; so that if anything were wanted in the night, it might be found without the slightest trouble.

Order, industry, and quietness, had been here so firmly ingrafted, that every domestic movement went on as if by clock-work. Nevertheless, even this household had their amusements, which, being of an old-fashioned stamp, are not unworthy of description.

Christmas furnished the principal of these. And as this holiday was longed for impatiently, they began their preparations for it in good time. Christmas Eve was a sort of annual jubilee, and was celebrated in the following manner :-On that day there was no regular dinner. The family assembled around a great kettle, in which bacon and meat were boiled; and the meal consisted of soft bread, which was dipped into the fat liquor. At two o'clock in the afternoon, the bath-room having been well heated with a fire

of birchwood, a regular Finland bath was prepared. The first bath being considered as the least wholesome, was taken by the men-servants. Next followed the Dean and his curates. The manner of the bath was this-they undressed themselves, laying their clothes outside the door, in the fresh, cold air; each one then placed himself in the degree of heat which was agreeable to him; after which a whole bucketful of cold water was thrown upon the glowing hearth, producing a stifling vapour, in comparison with which the sirocco must be a refreshment. In a few minutes the bodies, stretched out upon the bare floor, were covered with violent perspiration; on which they rose, and taking twigs of birch, bound together, dipped them in warm water, and flagellated themselves more severely than the most rigid Capuchin, until they were as red as boiled lobsters. This being done, they again seated themselves on the bare floor, when a hard-handed servant-man came in, and having rubbed them all over from head to foot, ended by pouring a bucket of warm water over them. They had in this way not an oriental bath, which is so much praised for its amenity and luxuriousness, but a bath of the Tartar fashion, in the truest sense of the word.

After this, their clothes were brought in out of the cold, which was often from twelve to sixteen degrees, and put on without the least inconvenience. On returning to the house, they found the beds shook up ready to receive them, and they lay down with their clothes on, when a gentle perspiration succeeded; after which they rose and refreshed themselves with March ale, sweetened with honey, and flavoured with aniseed, to which they ate slices of Christmas bread.

The daughters and female servants were in the meantime undergoing the same bathing process, which was not completed until it was quite dusk.

About five or six o'clock the great Christmas fire being kindled, rye-straw was brought in and laid over the floor to the depth of six inches, where it remained for thirty days, when it was removed, being by that time trodden to chaff. This done, the whole family attired themselves as if for a wedding. The Dean and his wife

were the entertainers, and the children and servants were received as Christmas guests. The table was covered; one candle being lighted for each person. The Dean made a little speech, and besought the blessing of a happy Christmas for the whole household, The mistress of the house handed round bread, and the Dean brandy. Grace was spoken aloud, after which each one took his place at the table, as at one of the love-feasts of the early Christian church. A quiet joy and contentment pervaded all.

The meal commenced with highly-seasoned stock-fish; after which came Christmas-soup, a dish which was only served annually on this night, and that only in old-fashioned families like that of our Dean. It was made of fresh pork and milk, and was extremely rich. This | dish was succeeded by the Christmas porridge, which is universal throughout all northern Christendom, and which consists of boiled groats, sweetened and flavoured with sugar and aniseed, and scattered over the top with raisins. A hole was made in the middle of the dish, into which a piece of butter was put, which melted with the heat of the groats. Everyone ate out of the dish, and had the privilege of dipping his spoon into the centre, which was called the butter-hole. The roast consisted of fresh sparerib; and tarts closed the repast. Upon the servants' table, which was served in the same order, was placed, in addition to the above, a stone dish of what are called peasants'-beans, and over which was poured the fat which was skimmed off the broth. This dish was a moral reminder that nobody should eat so much that he still had not a relish left for beans. From this cause everyone took a bean as a matter of

course.

The meal being ended, they sang in concert, "Praised be thou, Christ Jesus!" which was followed by the grace after meat. This done, all the candles were extinguished, excepting those of the master and mistress of the house, which were allowed to burn the whole night through, but which were placed in a copper kettle, to prevent any accident by fire. These candles were not permitted to be snuffed. There is an old saying, that if these lights remain untouched, the flame will divide in two at the very moment when Christ was born. Some people have been curious enough to watch for this moment, and the token which they waited for has oecurred, because the flame of an unsnuffed candle divides for a moment. This is a relic of catholicism, and had its origin among the monks, who watched through the Christmas night, and turned this natural incident to their religious

purposes.

All now went to bed, and the bell on Christmas morning rang its first peal at two o'clock; the second was rung at three, and matins began at four. As at this season, sledging was seldom available, the young people of the parish set out on foot. Every house had provided itself for the occasion with an immense torch, called "a pine-tree," which was now lighted and borne along to light the company through the dark

The Christmas matins were so arranged, that at the earliest dawn the congregation should sing "The Blessed Day." It is impossible that greater joy could be expressed in any worship than in the singing of this hymn. It could only be compared to the jubilation of the Greek church, when on Easter Sunday the cry goes forth, Christ has arisen!"

The service being ended at about nine o'clock, everybody went home and had dinner as soon as possible; after which they took a good sleep, as an equivalent for the extraordinary morning exercises. The drinking of healths extended even to the men-servants on this day.

Christmas brought with it all kind of innocent amusements; good eating, and universal enjoyment. In our days, cards and waltzing contribute a great portion of the Christmas pleasure; but in those old-fashioned times there was no end of amusing games. Then might be seen in practice almost every game which is mentioned in the popular ballads, and a great many more besides. Various old-fashioned dances were interspersed with forfeits. They danced and sang Christmas carols at the same time, their carols being accompanied by appropriate action. Many dances were round dances, in which certain persons alternately performed a part. Now courtship would be represented, with all the various chances of wooing, and finally ending in a wedding, until the whole company consisted of only married couples. In this way a young girl might be a bride many times over, without the slightest jealousy being excited. A very pleasant round dance was danced to the tune of Folie d'Espagne, in which the men continually advanced to the right and the women to the left, and taking each other round the waist when they met, swung half round. This undeviating regularity amid apparent disorder, is anything but disagreeable. Besides these, there were various pantomimic dances; for instance, one would represent a piece of weaving. The company divided into two parts, and each opposite couple changed sides, the one lifting their joined hands to admit the other to pass under with bowed heads, and so on alternately. This represented the movement of the loom, whilst the children leaped between each couple for the flying shuttles.

When they were tired with dancing, and sat down to rest, they played at a hundred different sitting-games; some with forfeits, which were always committed to the keeping of the Deaness— if we may introduce such a feminine noun-and redeemed according to her judgment, which often imposed very ingenious penalties. Sometimes they played at cross-questions and crooked

answers; the strictest guard being always kept | over the morals of the young. The Dean himself would frequently be present until early in the morning, the memory of his own former youthful days giving a light, as it were, to his

countenance.

work in the harvest-field. It was thus managed at our Deanery:

In the twilight, a great wood-fire was made; after which the men-servants brought in, and placed upright upon the hearth, a tall hop-pole, with all its rich vegetable burden; and before The second great family festival was the many minutes were over, the entire household Cheese-meeting." It belongs to the perquisites might be seen seated around this pole, picking of the clergy in Smaland, that they receive an- the hops. As this employment, however, which nually one meal's milk from the whole parish; was carried on until ten or eleven o'clock, was and the excellence of the celebrated Smaland of a somniferous character, the company were cheese may be attributed as much to the abun- refreshed with ale; and all in turn related some dance of milk thus contributed, as to the pas-old saga or story in order the better to keep turage of the place. A great number of these themselves awake. cheeses found their way to Wexio in those days, when the bishops were more zealous in their visitations than now is the case, and which were thence called "Cheese-meetings."

That portion of the parish which lay nearest the church was invited to the parsonage on the evening of Midsummer-day; and accordingly towards nine o'clock all the young girls of the neighbourhood might be seen wending their way thither, with their milk-pails on their heads. The milk-pails had all been scoured as white as snow, and were now ornamented with wreaths of oak-leaves, bound round the edge of the lid to prevent the milk from splashing over. The young girls of Wärind, who are remarkable for their finely-rounded Grecian profiles, now made their appearance, attired in white linen, and so lightly attired, too, that this linen garment was frequently their only dress. It must, however, be borne in mind, that the girls of this district make their holyday-chemises in the form of an entire dress, so that anyone would believe them to be wearing a proper external garment. The appearance of this attire was very becoming, being fastened round the waist with a girdle, sometimes a scarf, and having a deep frill or collar round the neck, which was fastened in front with a silver pin. The Arcadian shepherdesses never appeared at the dance in lighter

attire.

The milk being poured into a large vessel, the girls received a refreshment, and dancing began in the parish-business room, the young men of the parish being there already, self-invited. Lights and weak liquors are furnished from the parsonage; and the cavaliers, in their skin waistcoats, buckskin breeches, and showy garters, with many-coloured bunches at the knees, might be supposed to represent the shepherds of Theocritus. An innocent gaiety pervaded all, until the sinking sun reminded the company that it was time to disperse. Whilst all this was going forward, the cheese was prepared, under the hand of the Deaness herself; and they who liked to do so, might carry back with them their vessels full of whey.

The third household festivity was the so-called "Hop-evenings." The district of Kronoberg is famous for its hop-gardens, and hop-gathering constituted the evening employment at most parsonages. In old-fashioned times, a little merriment used to be added to this occupation, which is not in itself very amusing after a hard day's

No members of the family were exempted from this hop picking, except the Dean and his wife; yet the story-telling was commenced by the worthy divine himself, and went the whole round in succession. After this came his wife, then the curate, then the daughters, the menservants, and the maids. Everybody had prepared themselves for the occasion; and if they for some time previous had heard anything amusing, they reserved it for these hop-picking evenings.

A stranger coming in on such occasions might have fancied himself in an Icelandic assembly. It being, moreover, the custom of the family to include the servants in the evening's entertainment, no one hesitated to contribute his or her share. The utmost attention was paid to the narrator; and when his story was concluded, the person who sate next continued the entertainment, commencing with the usual prologue," Once upon a time," &c. This free intercourse was very beneficial in uniting the domestics with their employers, and in creating one heart and one soul, as it were, in the family. Hence there never was a family in which more fidelity and devotion were exhibited than in that of the Dean; all regarded themselves as children of their excellent master and mistress.

The prevailing spirit of the peasantry was observable in the character of the stories which the servants related on these occasions, and many useful reflections might be made therefrom. Very frequently their stories had reference to wicked step-mothers who illused their stepdaughters, and gave every advantage and indulgence to their own daughters, who, however, frequently remained unmarried. After that would come, in course, stories of rich men who were miserable through their avarice, and of the poor who were happy in their poverty, but who finally became rich. Others would relate monkish legends, in which St. Peter had a great deal to do in distributing his gifts. Everybody obtained from him that which he wished; but their wishes were in general unwise, and produced unfortunate results. Lastly in succession came the stupid farm-servant, who literally fulfilled his master's commands, and out of his mouth might probably proceed the most bewildered confusion. Often on these occasions the narrator would go back to the fabulous ages, when animals could speak, and the creatures made wise reflections on the lives and circum

stances of their owners.

Nor by any means | tion, although everything had after all been rewere omitted the superstitious terrors of goblins established as at first under the States governand demons of the woods and hills, towards ment. When his guests began to talk politics, which this class seemed to have a particular he proposed toasts which should give a turn to leaning. Nevertheless, it was often a real plea- the conversation; or if it were continued, he sure to hear the simple narratives of these would propose the harmony of the States in young peasants, in which a great deal of rude this form: eloquence and character was displayed. means such as these the excellent Dean studied the temper of his dependants.

A few personal traits of this good man may not here be out of place.

As he was early taken from his studies, he was not a learned inan; but he was that which is much more important-a true care-taker of souls, and an able church-pastor. All his solicitude centred in his congregation. He was accustomed to divide the duties of the clergyman into four parts to have a personal care over his human flock; to govern well his own house; to pay his taxes, and to obey his bishop. As for his erudition, it consisted principally in the reading of the bible, the writings of Luther and the synodical disputes as they came out. Fritch's prayer-book always lay upon his table, together with a pair of spectacles and a penknife, which, however, was seldom used. In his youth he had written many sermons, which still in his old age supplied him with material to be reproduced in a new form. His sermons were edifying, biblical, and intelligible to all. He stood up as a father in the midst of a great school of children. Until old age, he himself performed the duties of house-visitation throughout his parish, although it was a very extensive one, and one in which a carriage availed but little. He himself and his wife and daughters were always to be seen on horseback; his daughters, in fact, were regular Amazons.

He took no part whatever in the religious disputations of his time. Pietists and Moravians were as little known in his parish as in China. With deists, or free-thinkers of any kind, he would have nothing to do. He left all such to the Bishop. It was enough for him that his congregation maintained the orthodox belief, and lived a Christian life. Where other clergymen grumbled, he found a sufficient resource in a new edition of Hunnii Epitome credendorum. Yet he often complained that the daily reading of the Scriptures was falling out of practice. He considered the work of Gezelius on the Scriptures to be an excellent help to the minister, and recommended all his curates to study it industriously. He himself knew his bible thoroughly, and required the same knowledge from every priest.

Neither did he trouble himself about politics. The great contentions which prevailed between parties had no interest for him. That the Diet met he knew, because members were elected; but he never read any reports of the business which engaged its attention. Yet he was loyal to the States government. He had been brought up under the monarchy, and had seen it on the brink of ruin. He had lived through two wars, which had caused the gradual increase of taxa

Here's to them who draw the sword;
Here's to them who teach the word;
Here's to them in trade who toil;
Here's to them who till the soil.

This general toast, which was his political creed, being written on paper, was divided into four parts-one for each class. After this preamble, all four were laid together, and if the lines were not read consecutively, a forfeit must be paid, until at last they fell into regular sequence, and the four toasts were heard

Here's to them who draw the sword;

Here's to them who teach the word; &c. The guests pondered on the verse, drank, and paid their forfeits. Hats and caps disappeared, and the Dean had his wish.

Just as little interest had he in the events of foreign countries; nay, even in those which occurred beyond his own parish. He regarded the war in Finland very much as other people the war of St. Eric. Of the seven years' war, he knew only that he missed his soldiers from the gallery, and that he took care of their orphans. But the purpose of the war was unknown alike to him and his peasants. No newspaper was found in his house; neither did he ever write a letter, excepting to his Bishop. A quire of writing-paper lasted him for two years.

Uprightness and kindness might be read in his countenance and conversation. It was painful to him to say a severe word, nor could one have been wrung from him, excepting for immorality or profanity. He was inexpressibly dear to his parishioners. They called him "dear father," and his wife "dear mother." When he was elevated to the rank of Dean, it made no other difference than that the " dear father at the parsonage" was changed into the " dear father at the deanery." It was the amount of glebe only which marked the change.

It might have appeared as if he were avaricious, because he demanded the utmost of his tythe; but he considered that he and his parishioners were bound by the same contract as their forefathers, and that many wealthy farmers lived in his parish, while the amount of the living itself was but small. He sold his small overplus of corn at a cheap price to the poor; but for everything that he sold he required payment in hard cash. No arguments could ever convince him that paper was money. Such transubstantiation surpassed his comprehension.

His

His house was respectably kept, but still an old-fashioned homeliness pervaded it. children ate with wooden spoons, and this not from household economy, but because it was the custom of the family. Coffee never was

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The New Monthly Belle Assemblée, 第 42-43 卷