ears' war. The
faithful _nachtwachter_ strikes it upon the ground with the butt-end at
regular intervals, so that sinful depredators may have timely notice of
his approach. As it has a large hook at the back it is said to be
admirably adapted for catching thieves by the leg, if its opportune
clattering does not keep them out of its reach.

We render a good account of ourselves, and are duly escorted to our home.

CHAPTER VI.

THE GERMAN WORKMAN.

That workmen in England may have some clear knowledge of the ways and
customs of a large number of their brethren on the Continent, I here
intend to put down for their use a part of my own knowledge and
experience.

The majority of trades in Germany are formed into guilds, or companies.
At the head of each guild stands an officer chosen by the government,
whatever it may be--for you may find a government of any sort in Germany,
between an emperor and a senate--this officer being always a master, and
a member of the guild. His title differs in almost every German state,
but he is generally called Trade-master, or Deputy. Associated with him
are two or three of the oldest employers; or, in some cases, workmen in
the trade, under the titles of Eldermen, or Masters' Representatives.
These three or four men govern the guild, and have under them, for the
proper transaction of business, a secretary and a messenger. Such
officers, however, do not represent their trade in the whole state or
kingdom, but are chosen, in every large town, to conduct the multifarious
business that may require attention within its limits.

Although all these guilds are, in their original constitution, formed on
the same model, they differ materially in their internal arrangements.
Much depends upon the ruling government of the state in which they are
situated; for, while in despotic Prussia, what is there called Freedom of
Trade is declared for all, in the "free" town of Hamburg everything is
bound and locked up in small monopolies.

In some parts of Germany there are "close trades," which means to say
that the number of masters in each is definitely fixed. This is so in
Hamburg. For instance, among the goldsmiths, the number of new masters
annually to be elected is three, being about sufficient to fill up the
deficiencies occurring from death and other causes. I have heard of as
many as five being elected in one year, and I have also heard it asserted
that this was to be accounted fo