The Thirty Years' War - James Aitken Wylie

commerce of the West, diffused over Germany the
merchandise which still continued to flow, in part
at least, in its old channel. The Sunday was not
honored as it ought to have been within their gates.
When Divine service was over, the citizens were
wont to assemble on the exchange, where
amusement or business would profane the sacred
hours. They were much given to feasting: their
attire was richer than at the present day: the
burghers wore velvets, silks, and laces, and
adorned themselves with feathers, gold and silver
clasps, and finely mounted side-arms. The table of
the citizen was regulated by a sumptuary law: the
rich were not to exceed the number of courses
prescribed to them; and the ordinary citizen was
not to dine in plainer style than was appointed his
rank. Dancing parties were forbidden after sunset.
Those who went out at night had to carry lanterns
or torches: ultimately torches were interdicted, and
a metal basket fixed at the street-corners, filled
with blazing tar-wood, would dispel the darkness.
Since the Reformation, a school had existed in
every town and village in which there was a
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