port or
wander-book.

Hans goes to the police-bureau, and, as he is poor, has to wait a long
while. If Hans were rich, or an artist, or a master's son, it is highly
probable that ho would be able to obtain a passport--and the possession
of a passport guarantees many advantages--but as Hans is simply a
workman, a "wander-book" only is granted to him. This does indeed cost
him less money, but it thrusts him into an unwelcome position, from which
it is not easy to escape. He is placed under stricter rule, and, among
other things, is forced, during his wandering, to sleep at his trade
Herberge, which, from the very monopoly it thus enjoys, is about the
worst place he could go to for a lodging.

The good magistrate of Perleberg--the frontier town of Prussia, as you
enter from Mecklenburg--had the kindness to affix to my passport a
document entitled, "Ordinance concerning the Wandering of Working-men."
I will briefly translate its contents. The "Verordnung" commences with a
preamble, to the effect that, notwithstanding the various things that
have been done and undone with respect to the aforesaid journeymen, it
still happens that numbers of them wander purposeless about the land, to
the great burden of their particular trades and the public in general,
and to the imminent danger of the common safety. Therefore, be it
enacted, that "passports," that is to say, "passes," in which the
distinct purpose of the journey is stated, such as a search for
employment; or "wander-books," in which occupation by manual labour is
the especial object, are to be granted to those natives of Prussia only
who pursue a trade or art for the perfection of which travelling may be
considered useful or necessary. To those only who are irreproachable in
character, and perfectly healthy in body; this latter to be attested by a
medical certificate. To those only who have not passed their thirtieth
year, nor have travelled for the five previous years without
intermission. To those only who possess a proper amount of clothing,
including linen, as well as a sum of money not less than five dollars
(about sixteen shillings) for travelling expenses. So much for natives.
Foreigners must possess all the above-named requisites; must be provided
with proper credentials from their home authorities, and may not have
been more than four weeks without employment on their arrival at the
frontier. Again, every wanderer must distinctly state in what particular