The Knights Templars.

cause in Palestine . Brother Walter , the Grand Marshal , a brave and sagacious warrior , ruled the Order as Regent till the meeting of the Chapter General for the election of the new Master . ( End of Boole I . )

Travelling Craftsmen In Germany.

TRAVELLING CRAFTSMEN IN GERMANY .

The following communication from the benevolent Thomas Twining , contains some curious details on medieval practices . It will be found in full in the Journal ofthe Society of Arts on the 6 th inst .:

—THE WOEKING CLASSES OF NASSAU . If all is tolerably right , the lad receives in due form his educational certificate , and he and his friends set about looking out for the right sort of shop , ancl a comfortable master ; but , before a

definite agreement is come to , German prudence steps in very appropriately and prescribes two weeks' preliminary trial . If this turns out to mutual satisfaction , a contract is drawn up , of which the legalisation is obtained Avith very little

expense , or none at all if the parties are poor . For ordinary trades , such as those of the shoemaker , tailor , joiner , baker , & c ., the usual term is three years , and the total sum to be paid to the master varies from thirty to sixty florins ( £ 2 10 s .

to £ D ) , or a term of four years is agreed upon , without payment , the Avork of the apprentice in the last year being expected to form an equivalent .

With respect to more difficult trades , such as those of the watchmaker , mechanician , lithographer , & c , the term is usually three or four years , Avith a payment of eighty to two hundred florins ( £ 6 13 s . 4 d . to £ 16 13 s . 4 d ) . In no case does an

apprenticeship last longer than four years . As far as I have been able to ascertain , serious disagreements between masters and apprentices are less frequent in Germany than > vith us . One legitimate cause of dissatisfaction on the part of the apprentice , which

frequently occurs in England , is the incompetency of the master to teach all he engaged to teach . This is in some measure obviated in Germany by the examination Avhich must be undergone before an artisan can settle anywhere as master ; but in

all cases redress is facilitated by the practice of paying the stipulated sum by instalments , so that one-third or one-half of the amount stands over to the conclusion of the term . If au apprentice has

Travelling Craftsmen In Germany.

just cause for complaint , he is released by the local authorities from further obligations towards his master , and his friends from further payment . At the expiration of his term the apprentice must furnish proof of the extent of his acquirements , by

executing some appropriate piece of handiwork , in the presence of the official judges of the trade , forming a kind of jury , which , from its usefulness , deserves some attention . Every three years the masters in each trade , residing in a district , or

ina group of districts , if the trade is a scarce one ,, assemble to elect , or re-elect three representatives for the purpose of examining the certificates , and of testing and recording the abilities of industrial candidates . Such is the Board of Examiners ,

Avhich Ave noAV find sitting in judgment on the merits of the young artisan anxious to emerge from his apprenticeship , and which we shall meet Avith again in a further stage of his career . If theexaminers are not satisfied with the young man ' s '

performance , he must find means of improving himself within half-a-year , against another trial ; if , on the contrary , they are well pleased , he obtains his certificate as c jesell , or journeyman , and sets out for his travels . Those to whom German

literature is familiar , will remember that the wanclerschaft , or travelling apprenticeship of young artisans , is included in the Avorld of poetical ideas and associations peculiar to the Germany of the olden time . It is true that about the year 1819 ,

the guild system was handled in a manner Avhich nearly amounted to its abolition in the Duchy of Nassau , and that the toanderschaft ceased to be obligatory ; moreover , railroads and police have done much in these prosaical days to deprive this

custom of its colouring of romance ; bnt , nevertheless , it still retains enough of the character of the industrial period in which it had its origin , midst potent guilds and jolly companionships , torender a special inquiry both entertaining and

instructive . For our present purpose a brief summary of its leading features Avill suffice . When the gesell arrives at a town , he goes forthwith to the specially appointed inn of his trade , where the inn-father , from whom he is entitled to

receivepaternal attentions and advice , SIIOAVS him aregister , in the form of a slate or black board , on which is inscribed the name of any master wanting a hand . If the register is a blank , and the gesell ' has no cash in purse from previous savings , hemay claim his viaticum , or travelling money , which is either paid from the treasury of the town , or-