Page:Early Reminiscences.djvu/74

46 work. The object of the institution was to rub off the rust and prejudice inevitably gathering on such as have not seen the world; and further, that they might gain new ideas, and learn improvements in their several trades. The wander-years over, they returned home, and each was set a masterpiece to perform, to show that one and all they had improved by their experiences. There are several of these Meisterstücke to be seen in German museums. This exhibition of skill having been approved of, the young man was qualified to set up for himself as a master, and engage apprentices.

The institution was admirable, and worked well. The youths on their wanderings were careful to conduct themselves respectably, lest report of misconduct should reach home and prevent acceptance into the corporation of Masters. But all this is of the past, killed by militarism. It remained on in Austria after it had been extinguished in Prussia.

These young fellows were allowed to go anywhere without charge for admission. They saw much of the world, made many friends. Alas! they did go, they did see, they did make—this all of the past, save so far as is associated with bloodshed, poison gases, liquid flame and death!

My father notices in his diary that at Salzburg the wages of a housemaid were £3 per annum. The price of veal was 4d. an English pound, that of mutton 2½d. per lb., that of beef 3½d. per lb. A large fowl cost 10d., a chicken 6d.

My father was much struck with the cheerfulness of the people of Salzburg. He wrote: "There is a great air of easy circumstances about the people of this country and fondness for amusement. They seem to think nothing of a few florins laid out in carriage hire, and the places of resort of Prince Brun, Hellbron, etc., are filled with the middle classes who have come there in their equipages, all very well dressed, and behaving themselves most respectably. . . . The people are decidedly musical. The villagers as they walk past our house on their return from town frequently relieve their trudge home by singing; and really there are some very beautiful voices among them, uniting in chorus, in perfect time and tune. There are three children belonging to the farm about 300 ft. from our house who frequently delight us and amuse themselves on a calm moon-lit evening