CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Digitized by Microsoft® Z123 .863°™*" ""'"""'y "-Ibrary 'lL?ffifflSf,,,g;j|?.?...G.erman morality-play olin 3 1924 031 030 442 Digitized by Microsoft® This book was digitized by Microsoft Corporation in cooperation witli Cornell University Libraries, 2007. You may use and print this copy in limited quantity for your personal purposes, but may not distribute or provide access to it (or modified or partial versions of it) for revenue-generating or other commercial purposes. Digitized by Microsoft® The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://archive.org/details/cu31924031030442 Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® AN ACCOUNT OF THE (Serman Znoralitv^plav, ENTITLED Depositio Cornuti Typographici, As Performed in the I'jth & i%th Centuries. With a Rhythmical Translation of the German Version of 1648. By WILLIAM BLADES, TYPOGRAPHER. Author of " The Life and Typography of WUliam Caxtpn," etc., etc., etc. To WHICH IS ADDED A LiTERAL RePRINT OF THE UnIQUE ORIGINAL Version, written partly in Plaat-Deutsch by Paul De Vise, AND Printed in 1621. LONDON: TRUBNER & CO., LUDGATE HILL, 1885. Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® CONTENTS. Preface. Chapter I.— The Social Status of German Printers in Olden Times. Page i. Chapter II.— The Printers' Depositio described. Page 7. Chapter III.— John Rist's Version of the German Depositio, or Morality Play. Page 15. Chapter IV. — The Depositio at the Universities. Page 57. Chapter V. — Various Ceremonies similar to the Depositio. Page 63. Chapter VI.— The Origin, Growth, Decadence and Ex- tinction of the Depositio. Page 69. Chapter VII.— Bibliography. Page 75. Chapter VIII. — Depositio Typographi Anglican!. Page 91. Appendix. Index. Digitized by Microsoft® LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Frontispiece. — From Gessner's " Buchdruckerkunst," 1743. The Printer's Depositio, being the Frontispiece to Jacob Redinger's " Format-buchlein," 1679. A loose Plate, opposite Page 7. The Universities' Depositio. Page 56. Six Fac-simile Title-pages, of which one is a loose Plate. Pages 77-81. Digitized by Microsoft® »uitettb««Si- PREFACE. VERYBODY who has had occasion to consult Gennan books of the i8th and 17th centuries will remember certain peculiarities of typography which they present. The old-fashioned faces of the German character are indeed very handsome, but when we find Roman and Italic, and Gothic all in one line, and the author as well as the printer (for both seem to have had a hand in it) parading their classical acquirements by puttmg every word derived from the Latin in Roman type, and even spelling many words, half in one character and half in another, the effect is very bizarre. This for instance is from J. C. Klemm's "Dresden Jubel- Feste," Tiibingen, 1740: — "Me Mustgue-Canfata."—"Taixonen"—"'B,Ui Kwwalten Vniveisim" — " Summa litX 2000 fi." — " eint Mixtur ies iWetalls." This is from J. D. Kohler's " Ehren-Rettung," 4to. Leipzig 1761 : — " Mm Dypthongos " — "scepti^t^Z ISuctlW " — "Gramma- titfSXM " — "/a/oni&cW Digitized by Microsoft® X PREFACE. - Lesser's well-known « Typographia Jubilans '' is full of examples : — " ChevilUer \m% etlten Tractat in 4- tltttcfeftt " — " Con- stantinopolitanigc^m HtUClteteB " — " f tttClt Commercien=Trac- tat " — « tjf« jasaotmtsci&en Edicts " — " w^xm Giossm " So is Zeltner's " iStJfl=Version " of Martin Luther, Niirnberg, 1727:— "\tt zt%\z IBtucfe t«t mtt 2 Coiumnen" — "^en bottflen Exemplaiien"— "Scrupulijen "— "ConsenseS" — " publicirtetl" "^itel=Correctur." There are many such German books which, as academical exercises, or as practical handbooks, treat of the history and tech- nicalities of the Art of Printing. Among such, several have come into my hands containing versions, more or less alike, of the "Depositio Cornuti Typographici," a play which used to be performed throughout Germany. This moraUty-play, for such it really was, strongly attracted my attention, and it occurred to me that what interested one Printer might also interest others, especially as the subject, I believe, is new to English hterature, and unknown even to many conversant with ancient German lore. I make therefore no apology for issuing the present httle volume ; to the few who care for such subjects it will not be unwelcome. The original idea was to give a translation only of the German text, and with one or two explanatory notes such as a practical printer might supply, to let that speak for itself; but the interest of the subject grew with the study of the text, and, as often happens in such cases, led on to other branches of research Digitized by Microsoft® PREFACE. xi quite unforeseen, and other by-paths of knowledge. Thus the subject of the Printers' Depositio induced on the one hand, enquiries about a similar ceremony at the German Universities ; and, on the other about practices of a kindred character among German craft-gilds in general. The peculiar, and to modern ideas irreverent, use of the Christian formula of baptism, when the " Postulate " or apprentice was sprinkled with water, and so cleansed from his original state of brutal ignorance, and admitted by the " Pfaffe " or parson into the privileges and responsibilities attaching to every member of the Printers' community, suggested also an interesting connection with the old Miracle-plays, or perhaps with those impious fe^ivals of the Romish Church, such as All Fool's day — the Boy-bishop — the Feast of Asses, in which coarse gibes and mockery of religious rites constituted the chief features. In presenting the Play itself to the reader's notice it at once became evident that a prose translation would afford a poor and inadequate representation of the. original. It was therefore determined to attempt an imitation of the German rhymes. In this patt I received great assistance from my friend Mr. William Steinert. To Herr Meyer, of the Luneburg Museum, I owe my best thanks for drawings of the curious tools, &c., used centuries ago in the Stern Printing-office, Liineburg. Mr. White (of EUis & White) kindly lent me the rare book from which the plate at page 56 has been taken. Digitized by Microsoft® xii PREFACE. To various Essays in the " Weimarisches Jahrbuch," attri- buted to the pen of Herr Oscar Schade; to Oskar Dolch's "Geschichte des Deutschen Studententhums," and to "Miracle Plays and Sacred Dramas : a Historical Survey," by Dr. Karl Hase, translated from the German by A. W. Jackson, the author is indebted for much information. W. B. 23, Abchurch Lane, London. Digitized by Microsoft® CHAPTER I. THE SOCIAL STATUS OF GERMAN PRINTERS IN OLDEN TIMES. ITHOUT any flourish of trumpets to attract the crowd ; without any Royal Proclamations to bear down opposition; but with a quiet invincible strength, like Nature's laws in their course, the Printing-press while yet in its infancy made steady progress from town to town, and from country to country. The books which after the birth of printing came first through the Press were naturally those which in the 15th century were most in demand; and thus the Church, as embracing nine-tenths of the educated classes, was first served. Hence the earliest books were large-sized editions of the Latin Bible and Psalter for use in the Church, Breviaries for private use, and numerous editions of the "Modus confitendi," in which the Priest learnt how to treat the most delicate questions of the Confessional. The standard works of the great classic authors, both Latin and Greek, soon followed, and then by degrees pamphlets and books in the vulgar tongue, of which romances of chivalry formed a large part. So long as the produce of the Press was confined to these and similar subjects, the governing powers looked on with heedless eyes; but when the Printers grew bolder and education more common; when Latin gave way to the vulgar tongue and men began not only to talk, but to read about the burning questions of the day ; when Governments were called to task for abuses in the B Digitized by Microsoft® / 2 DEPOSITIO CORNUTJ TYPOGRAPHIC!. State, and the Church-creeds and Monkish morality were mistrusted ; then the Rulers discovered that a mighty power had risen up unbidden in their midst, a power for evil as well as good, and the question how to treat the Press was debated in every country. Two courses were open. The Government could either favour and protect the Printers, giving them monopolies and special privileges, or by intimidation and threats of suppression enchain and degrade the Art. In the former case it became the interest as well as the pleasure of the Printers to support the governing powers who protected them by refusing to print all works against good government and good manners, and thus, as in Germany, arose a noble race of men who were learned scholars as well as practical Printers, and who held an honourable position among their fellow- citizens, being mid-way between the erudite University professors and the unlearned town tradesmen. When on the other hand Governments used their power to enchain, intimidate and sup- press, the Art became degraded, as it was in England, until the workmen grew incompetent and crafty, the Masters both cringing and tyrannical, and the printing-houses filthy and un- wholesome, fully deserving the name of "holes," by which they were commonly known in this country. The social status of a Printer in a German town was enviable. The numerous small States had each its Government or Court Printer, every University its sworn Printer, and every City its Stadt-printer. They were all "officials," who took the oath to be loyal and true to the Government under which they flour- ished, as well as to the body appointing them, and thus a close connection was maintained between the Court, the University, the Town Council and the Printers. The Printers, in University towns especially, were brought into constant and intimate associa- tion with the Professors and Students. All their essays and theses, which were written on every imaginary subject ; all their tracts, sermons and dissertations, came through the University's Printer's hands. There was no haggling over the prices, and whatever the subject or language might be the proofs were sent in, carefully and competently read. Digitized by Microsoft® SOCIAL STATUS. 3 The books which were written by, and for the use of, German Printers about two centuries ago, are of the greatest interest to a sympathetic reader. The homely dignity which pervades them, the simple and fervent piety, the real love of the Art and conse- quent anxiety to transmit to the rising generation the same feelings, are to be found in the exercise of this profession in no other country. The sentiment that Printers were to a great extent responsible for the educational and religious means at their disposal, was cultivated from the moment a youth began his apprenticeship. Did a German compositor or pressman passing through a town, call in at the Printing-office, his common salutation was "Gott griiss die Kunst" (God bless the Art). Was a boy bound as an apprentice his first lesson was that honour and devotion were due to the heaven- born Art, and to God the giver. Even the " Format-Biicher," in which technical instructions were given, breathed a religious tone, as the following quaint prayer, translated from Emesti, and dated the 281st year from the invention of Printing, will show : — A DAILY PRAYER FOR PRINTERS. OLORD, Almighty God, Printing is a glorious and a noble Art, a blessing thou hast reserved for Mankind in these latter days — an Art by which all Conditions of Men, and especially thy Holy Church, are greatly nourished. And since good Lord thou hast of thy free Grace given to ?ne the Opportunity of exer- cising an Art and Craft so exalted, I pray thee to guide me by thy^ Holy Spirit in using the same to thy Honour. Thou knowest, dear Lord, that great Diligence, continual Care, and accurate Know- ledge of the Characters of many languages are needful in this Art ; therefore T call upon thee for Help that I may be earnest and careful both in the setting up of Types and in printing the same. Preserve my Soul in the constant Love of thy Holy Word and Truth, and my Body in Sobriety and Purity ; that so, after a Life here befitting a Printer, I may hereafter, at the last coming of my most worthy Saviour Jesus Christ, be found a good Workman in his Sight, and wear the everlasting Crown in his Presence. Hear me, dearest God, for thy Honour and my Welfare. Amen. Digitized by Microsoft® 4 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. The numerous Essays and Sermons published throughout Germany in 1740, when the Tercentenary of the invention of Printing was celebrated, show that the same feeling of respect towards the Art of Printing and Printers pervaded the Academical and Clerical Professions. It is self-evident that the first Printers must have been men who could not only read and write, but who had a knowledge of various tongues. The earliest books were mostly in Latin, many in Hebrew, many in Greek, and not unfrequently in Syriac and the cognate languages,* and the Printers were obliged to know and superintend the composition of these languages. It is there- fore without surprise that we find very learned men, like Aldus Manutius of Venice, Henry Stephens of Paris (who allowed no language but Latin to be spoken in his house), the Elzeviers of Amsterdam, Christopher Plantin of Antwerp, John Froben of Basle, and many others devoting their lives and all their energies in the service of Printing. Such Printers commanded the friend- ship of men of letters throughout Europe, and held equal rank with the University professors, being not unfrequently of academ- ical standing themselves. The Art being viewed in so honourable a light we need not wonder at the rich Burgher or Professor being glad to place his son with the Court or University Printer as an apprentice ; and he would then naturally lend all the support he could to them. Even the Military, then the highest profession of all, did not disdain to honour the Printers with their friendship ; and at the " deposition " of a Printer's son might often be seen Statesmen, Officers, Clergymen and Professors, as interested well- wishers, who added their congratulations and presents to those of the relatives when the ceremony was ended. That ceremony meant a great deal to the young Printer, and it was the recognition of its great importance which gave meaning to the harlequinade of the actors, and induced the Comute to submit to pains and indignities which otherwise * In all the early specimen books of type-founders we find a variety of Eastern tongues. Digitized by Microsoft® SOCIAL STATUS. s he would have fiercely resented. Without it there was no being a Printer at all, for even apprenticeship was nothing unless the apprentice was enrolled, and this was done only after deposition. The workman not duly received could find no work: every Printing-ofiSce in the land was closed to him. The corporations in all trades were during the Middle Ages of great importance, and to be a member of one ensured par- ticipation in many benefits and privileges which otherwise were unobtainable. If oppressed or injured in trade, the gild took his part ; if sick, he was succoured ; and when dead, he was followed solemnly and respectfully to his last resting-place. The trade unions of both masters and men were very strict in their rules, and although at times the men found themselves in strong opposition to the masters, as a rule they both adhered to the laws which were mutually acknowledged. In 1650 there was an agreement in Lower Saxony, in Hamburg, Frankfort-on-the-Main, Mayence and Hanau, "that no one that had not learned printing in the prescribed manner, and got his postulate {i.e., gone through the ceremony of the Depositio), should be allowed to own a Printing-house, and that if any journeymen worked for such a master he was to be excluded from the gild." This was a great protection to the masters from interlopers, and the workmen too knew how to make their injunctions effective, better even than Emperor or Government. These might issue their prohibitions in vain, while the edict of the trade gild could close any Printing-house in the land ; none of the gild members would enter it, and even the apprentices were enticed away. If a work- man, tempted by gold, engaged himself to a " bungling," or, as it is now called, an "unfair" master, he was soon branded like Cain; the ban of the law was not so severe or certain ; the travelling journeymen spread the culprit's name throughout the land, and everywhere the door was shut against him, and no magistrate could help him. The masters on their side restricted the number , of apprentices, so as not to flood the trade with workmen ; were careful as to the respectability of the boys they admitted, and paid the accepted rate of wages without attempting a reduction. Digitized by Microsoft® 6 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. Sunday work was by general consent not on any account allowed, a law which many a hard-worked journeyman wishes were in force now in England. Registers of all apprentices and workmen were accurately kept in every town where a Printing-office existed. Every apprentice had his name entered, with full particulars as to age, length of servitude and family descent. For this a small fee was paid. The period for which an apprentice was bound varied. An apprenticeship under four years was everywhere invalid, and therefore useless ; five years was a common time, and sometimes six years. I imagine that, although no exact rule existed, the son of a rich man served the shorter, and the youth who could only look forward to being a journeyman, the longer period. In 1686 a rich burgher offered a handsome sum (200 thalers) if the gild would allow his son to be apprenticed for two years only, but it was sternly refused. The " Postulate " fees were, however, very heavy ; and many a journeyman was crippled for years by the debts incurred to pay them. At the same time this very expense, which the sons of citizens bore willingly, tended to keep out the sons of poor people. In most towns it was about 16 to 20 thalers, which, reckoning the present depreciation of money as a buying power, may be calculated as ;^io or ;^i2. So great a hardship was this considered that an appeal made to the Civic authorities of Nuremberg by poor workmen resulted in an ordinance forbidding more than 12 thalers to be spent at the " Postulate." This was in 1704, but as the higher fees were levied 50 years later, we may safely assume that this regulation, as well as several similar, proved quite inoperative. Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Befufen pj> 6 */ Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® CHAPTER II. THE PRINTERS' DEPOSITIO DESCRIBED. HE German Printers (unlike the English) were very particular as to the fitness of the youths who applied to them to be made apprentices. Before all things they had to prove the respectability of their parents. Legitimate birth, even back to their grand-parents, was enquired into, and even where there was no reason to doubt the mother's fair fame, a son "bom before his time" if only by a few weeks, had a certain stigma attached to his name for life. Bastards were never taken as apprentices. If a youth who wished to be apprenticed, could show his own and parents' credentials, and had received a good education, he was taken for a few weeks on trial. Then in set form, and before six or seven printers of the town, he was duly apprenticed for four or five years, and his name entered on the fellowship Roll, a small fee being paid. When the apprenticeship was ended, the quondam apprentice did not at once take his place among the workmen, but was called a " Cornute" — an amphibious animal, neither apprentice nor workman, but a horned beast full of all kinds of wickedness, from which he could be freed only by the saving ceremony of the Depositio. This ceremony was often very expensive, as any amount of money could be spent upon the Play in decorations and dresses; but Digitized by Microsoft® 8 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. if we take the different value of money three centuries ago, the lowest cost was about ;^io to ;^i2. In some towns, however, the custom obtained of the master retaining half or a quarter of the Postulate's wages, until a sufBcient sum had accumulated to pay the expenses of his great day of freedom. When the Cornute's day was fixed, and the master had granted his request to be deposed, he was called a "Postulate," still however being a Cornute. To make the fees lighter, it was not uncommon for Postulates to wait a while, if Apprentices in their own or neigh- bouring towns were near the end of their term ; so that frequently three or four Postulates were "deposed" at the same time, and thus not only were the expenses of the Play and the succeeding banquet much reduced, but the occasion received additional im- portance from the presence of masters and men from a distance. On grand occasions, as when the son and successor of a wealthy Printer was to be initiated, a large Hall or School-room would be specially engaged ; but as a rule, when all the prelimi- naries were arranged, the largest room in the Printing-office cleared, benches placed for the audience, a small stage erected at one end and green boughs hung about for ornamentation, the guests, mostly friends or relatives, took their places to see the proceedings and to laugh at, or sympathise with, the treatment of the Cornute. In olden time, before the play became crystalised in print, a Prologue was a matter of arrangement — ^to be declaimed if there was any one clever enough to make one up — or to be omitted alto- gether. Paul de Vise wrote a short, and Rist a long Prologue. Its object was to tell the guests (what of course everyone already knew) the purpose for which they had met, and to apologise for any seeming rudeness and buffoonery in the play. This fact of itself shows that the Prologue was a later introduction, made only when the actors themselves felt that some apology was really needed for their adherence to the old customs. These are coarse enough in De Vise and Rist, but were very much worse a century earlier. Upon the appointed day the room where the ceremony was to take place was decorated more or less expensively, and the com- Digitized by Microsoft® THE PRINTERS' DEPOSITIO. 9 pany invited was more or less important, according to the social status of the Cornute. Frequently the Town band was hired to enliven the proceedings : Rist says before the Prologue, " Here let the Trumpets, the Trombones, the Clavicides, the Drums, Cymbals and other instruments play vigorously some lively music." It was quite common too for the whole of the employes in the Printing-office to sing part-songs. " Prologus " having delivered his oration upon the importance and usefulness of the Printing Art, made his exit, and then some part-singing followed in which all who could, joined. If a grand occasion, the Band would again discourse sounds that were loud and vigorous, whatever they might lack in sweetness. Then enters the important character, the "Depositor," dressed in comical and brilliant apparel, kept purposely for such occasions. With serious mien he walks slowly up and down, until at last notic- ing the audience he starts, and calling his servant Urian, demands .the reason of all the decorations in the room, and why so many people have come together. Urian, also in a comic habit, professes ignorance, but holds his nose and complains of a dreadful smell. Going out, he soon returns dragging in by the snout the miserable Cornute, who is dressed most fantastically. His head is bedecked with a black and gilt pasteboard hat, on which are two horns, from which he is called "Comutus " or the " horn-bearer."* His garments are those of a Zany, and he has a big red nose, by which he is dragged in. Both the Depositor and Urian are horrified at his foul odour, and pretend not to know his quality or nature. They poke him and punch him until Urian declares he must be that unnatural homed beast, a Cornute. To see if he is human Urian shows him a piece of paper upon which is some writing, but the Cornute declares he cannot read, not having received \^ any education. Searching his pockets they discover a love- letter couched in glowing terms, which Depositor reads aloud to * Herr Lorck in his excellent " Handbuch der Typographie " p. 165, says that the Comute Hat, which was exhibited as a curiosity among the specimens of Printing, sent by Herr Faber to the Halle Exhibition of 1881, was made of black leather and came from Magdeburg. C Digitized by Microsoft® -m (o)^^ Susabe mmt arien, erDj(^Kt unD in We Mufic gebrccfjt von EiEi^i^j^ip^yig^ 4 walks up and down, looking about with a serious mien and deportment. Depositor. What is the reason, I would know. This house is made so fine a show. And with adornments grac'd ? Folks throng in here as to a dance ; They cannot come by simple chance In such unwonted haste. I fain would know what it may mean : I'll call my knave, his wit is keen. Perhaps he the cause can tell ? Come here, you rascal ! — Urian ! Come here as quickly as you can. And answer me right well. Urian. Here, master ! I come quick and brave Out of my corner nest, And as your ever faithful slave I'll drink now with the best. Digitized by Microsoft® JilST'S VERSION. 29 Depositor. I am, indeed, quite well aware That drinking is your only care ; But now, I bid thee say. Whatever makes this house so trim ? Why are the walls so bright and prim ? Whence all these folks so gay ? Urian (holding his nose). I cannot tell, but by the smell A carrion beast must be about ; Some carcase dead, or fiend from hell, Scents all the house throughout. Depositor. I think myself there's some wild beast That hereabouts is holding feast ; There is a nasty smell. But get thee gone ! Go to my field. See that their spades my lab'rers wield, And that they work right well. Urian. Master ! your will shall soon be done ; Adieu, mein Herr, now I am gone. Depositor (to audience). There goes that fellow with a bound. Truly he is an odd compound; I think he must be mad. \Exit jumping. Digitized by Microsoft® 30 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. Now he is witty, now a fool, Now he is wallowing in a pool ; His pranks are very bad. [Urian re-appears, dragging in by the nose the "Cornute" — i.e., the apprentice, who is dressed in a most fantastic way, with a big red nose and a pair of huge horns on his head. Depositor. By heaven ! What beast have you got here ? 'Tis not a goat, nor stag, nor steer ! Say how you captured him. He is a strange and wondrous sight As ever saw the Heaven's light : How got he in such trim ? Urian. Well ! Master, when I went away, I met this beast careering ; Thought I, 't won't do for me to stay, He'll toss me, I am fearing : So straight I seized him by the nose. And tore his nostrils badly : Lord ! what a stench from him arose, It turned my stomach sadly. Depositor. Zounds ! I may well astonished be At such a beast What name has he ? I wonder who's his master. His head (driving his knuckles into it) is hard ; his belly (giving him a punch in it) soft ; Two monstrous horns he bears alofl : Pray, Urian, bind him faster. Digitized by Microsoft® Ji/ST'S VERSION. 31 Urian. What ! don't you see at once his kind ? His horns betray the brute ; His misshap'd head, and lack of mind, Declare him a Cornute. Depositor. A Cornute ! bless me ! what is that — A pig, an ass, a mule, or what ? How wild your speech does run. ^ But listen. Master Urian, Suppose we think of some good plan To make of him some fun. Urian. The very thing ! Just give a glance, His legs seem over long ; I'll bet a florin he can dance To any play or song. Just like a ghost he soon shall prance, Your ghosts are very strong. \Lashes him with a whip, ■while the musick plays loudly. Hei ! Hei \ Hei ! Hei ! now jump around, Thou wondrous beast, upon the ground ! Look at the rogue \ see how he sways, As though he had the stomach-ache : He does not like such dancing ways. They make his heels too much awake. \After some more gibes and lashes, Urian shows him a piece of paper. Digitized by Microsoft® 32 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. Now, gallows-bird ! how thou dost stare, As if thou wast bereft of sense ! This writing read, or else take care Your head's not crack'd ere you go hence. CORNUTUS. How should I read, you ugly fool ? I, who was never sent to school. Urian (astonished). Just listen to the rascal's speech — He cannot read, and yet can preach. In High Dutch too, as if the Devil In Low Dutch couldn't be as civil. You scamp ! at once these lines now read Or else I'll spell them on your head. CoRNUTUS (reading doggedly). A shameless rogue, a worthless wight, A lying knave, I'm called aright. Depositor. That's right enough, we know it well. Your character you truly spell. Urian. These Comute folk are all sad liars, — He said just now he could not read ; 'Tis plain of falsehood he ne'er tires ; A very cheat he is indeed. Digitized by Microsoft® mST'S VERSION. 33 Depositor. Forsooth, my knave, so sharp and true, His dull deceits will ne'er cheat you. Now feel his pocket on the right, While I the left expose to light. Urian (pulling out a letter). The devil take thee ! ha ! ha ! ha ! Thou canst not read, thou lubber slow, Thou Mat of Cappadocia,* Thus do I give thy nose a blow. [Smites him. Depositor (reading the address on the letter.) " To be handed to the most honourable, much-esteemed, art-knowing young journeyman. Master N. N., who is my heart's love." Urian (boxing the Comut^s ears). See, master mine ! this dullard here As a young journeyman would stalk. For which I now have boxed his ear, To stop his bumptious, bragging talk. Depositor. In truth, he is a Cornute mean. Who is not fit one's boots to clean. Can any maid love one so rude ? This letter doubtless now will tell ; Outside it looks all very well, — The writing 's pretty good. Reading— 'EAovti. of my heart, my hope, my life, my dove, To whom I always shall devote my utmost love, * Mat of Cappadocia means "a graceless fool." St. Mathurin was the patron Saint of idiots and fools. The Cappadocians were a people who had fallen into universal discredit ; so bad indeed were they that the Byzantine historian, Anna Commena, hurls against them the Epigram—" A Serpent bit a Cappadocian : that Serpent died." F Digitized by Microsoft® 34 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TVPOGRAPHICI. A welcome thousandfold take from thy shepherdess, Who loves her Lucidor* with constant kindliness, My love to you I vow is far beyond all measure: Have you forgot me quite, my only, dearest, treasure ? Think of the many times I by your love was blessed. When lip was glued to lip, and heart to heart was pressed. Alas ! I hear, to-day that you must be deposed, Arid to indignities unnumbered be exposed ; I would upon myself with joy take all these harms, If sufiFering for you could bring you to my arms. I cannot bear to live without my only treasure. For you alone can make my life a joy and pleasure. You are my only prop— you make my bitter, sweet ; Oh 1 that the tiine had come when we again shall meet. I sadly fear, my love, you'll be quite lost to me. And leave me all alone when you deposed shall be. A secret I've to tell, and do not doubt that you Will hasten back t to me, my love sincere and true. She who sends this ' Waits for a kiss, P.S. — For love's own sake But signs no name This ring pray take, For fear of shame. That you keep me In memory. Urian fin utter astonishment). A thousand plagues ! I hardly know What of this scrawl to think. Thou thunderhead, thou carrion crow ! Dost thou at women wink ? Thou art for maids a pretty knight. With red nose all aglow. • Lucidor. — Query Lucidas, a shepherd in VirgU's Third Eclogue. t " Will hasten back." It is highly probable that when this play was originated, long before it took a written shape, the Maiden who here dotes on the Cornute and wishes him back was Typographia. Digitized by Microsoft® JUST'S VERSION. 35 Depositor. And now, thou shuffling young blockhead, Pray tell without demur : Know'st thou a trade ? Canst earn thy bread ? You dirty, mangy cur ! CoRNUTUS (humbly). Truly, I've learnt the Printing Art, And by my fingers' skill I hope in life to get a start And keep myself from ill. Urian. Thou lying scamp, thou dirty swine, Is this your ignorance of reading ? Just now you could not scan a line, And now as Printer you are pleading. There's not a devil in all Hell So many shameful lies could tell. Depositor. Printing 's an art in good repute ; Printers are leambd and acute ; In solving questions they're not slow — If thou art thus we fain would know. [Here Depositor and Urian ask the Cornute a number of rare and comical questions. * Depositor We now must make a further trial. Tell us, thou son of boorish peasant, Before all friends that now are present, Canst play the flute or finger viol ? * As a poor sample : " How many hairs are there in a horse's tail ? " " How many Angels can sit on a Sunbeam ? " F 8 Digitized by Microsoft® 36 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHICJ. Urian. Well thought of, master. Now we've time, We'll stand around all in a ring, And while each from his book doth sing, We'll chant a workman's rhyme. \Here all the workmen and others present join in a chorus previously agreed upon, but such an one as will not give public offence. * Urian. This went off very well indeed. Zounds, master, it did sound divinely ! I wish my wife were here to speed The mirth, for she can trip it finely. * Such a song as will not give public offence. Many songs there were abounding in indecent allusions, and double meanings to technical words. Such songs were often sung at workmen's meetings generally, and were certainly not pecuUar to one country more than another. Among English printers, at the end of the last and beginning of this century, there were several which, although happily disused, had been handed down through many generations. The following, to which no objection on the score of morality can be made, was one usually sung during the Deposition : — Live and soar, O glorious Art, May naught disturb thy fame and action ; Of God's good grace thou hast thy part In spite of envy and detraction. Of all other Arts the light. First of all thou stand 'st by right. Let all creation sing thy fame, Bright as the sun, in lay and story ; So resplendent is thy name, Of great kings thou art the glory. Of all other Arts the light. First of all thou stand's! by right. In the first edition by De Vise the following instruction comes in — " Here they shall sing ; ' Three Geese in the Oatstraw.' " Digitized by Microsoft® JilST'S VERSION. 37 Now let us ask this Cornute tame If to some play he now can treat us — Cards, dice, or any other game ; But we must mind he does not cheat us I Here is the box, and here the dice, A pot of beer shall be the prize ; I'll bet that he can count the eyes. Now, beast, a main and try your luck. \As Cornute is about to sit dmvn Urian tips the bench and upsets him. Will you sit quiet, restless buck ! Depositor. Come now, and shake your elbows, friend. CORNUTUS. I wish this game was at an end. Urian (knocking Cornutus over the fingers). Right valiantly the dice you throw, 'Tis plain there's not much green in you. You'll empty soon my purse, I know ; He must be clever you to " do." Depositor. As by thy tricks I plainly see That you're as cunning as can be. Another tack we'll try a bit. \To Urian. Bring here our scientific tools. He takes us for a lot of fools ! But soon he'll see how we can hit. Arrange the bench and set it right, Our talents he shall try to-night. Digitized by Microsoft® 38 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. Urian. At your command, my master good, I'll fetch you to6ls as you may want them. To cure his faults I'm in the mood ; 'Twill be a rough task to unplant them. [Urian fetches an axe, a plane, a saw, a pair of compasses, a razor, a ham, and a forceps, all made very large of wood. He then throws down the Cornute on the bench, which upsets. After a lot of comic business, Cornute is stretched on the bench. Depositor {to Urian). First, take the axe and hew him square, Each comer, bump, and angle pare. Then plane him well till all is straight,* Nor for his cries one jot abate. Then with my compass, in good sooth, I soon will see if all be smooth. [Urian, punching him, kneading him, and chopping him and planing him, knocks him on to the ground again. See how he falls now, all a-heap ; Get up, you Gornute ! Art asleep ? Depositor. With compasses I'll test him ribw, Lie still ! or else you'll get a blow. [Sticks the compasses into various parts of his body. ' De Vise's version makes the Cornute stand up here, when a line and plummet are used to test him from sole to crown. Digitized by Microsoft® Ji/ST'S VERSION. 39 The Cornute's Cap and Horns. Height I ft. 3 in. Drawn from Specimens preserved in the Museum at LUnehtrg, in which town they were many years in use. Digitized by Microsoft® 40 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHICJ. at Luneburg, in which town it was used. Digitized by Microsoft® EIST'S VERSION. 41 (? The Ham. Length 2 ft. The Saw. Length 4 ft. 4 in. Drawn from Specimens preserved in the Museum at Liinehurg, in which town they were used for many years. Digitized by Microsoft® 42 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. Length, including handle, 3 ft. 6 in. Drawn from a Specimen in the Museum at Liineburg, in which town it was used for many years. Digitized by Microsoft® mST'S VERSION. 43 Well done ! this pig so mannerless You've planed right smooth, with much address. * His fingers, though, are still amiss, But you know how to alter this ; So shape them with the file, And mind that none of them you miss ; We'll make the rascal smile. [Urian rasps his fingers. They're in trim now, so let him rise, And fetch that Ham here in a trice ; We'll see how he can carve. These hornfed beasts can ne'er say No! And as he must a-courting go, 'Twont do to let him starve. \A great Ham is placed before him, and as the CoRNUTE is about to help himself Urian raps him on the fingers. Thou uncouth lout ! what dost thou mean ? Where are thy manners ? Not so speedy ! Would'st have first share of fat and lean ? I'll teach thee not to be so greedy. Depositor. Now has the time arrived, I ween. To trim him up all nice and clean \ So shave his chin and scrape it. And as he is to court a maid, The scissors must come to our aid, To cut his hair and shape it, \They daub his face with blcick soap-suds, then shave him with the razor, and pretend to cut his hair ' De Vise here bores a hole in the Comute's head with an augur, and fixes a hat-peg in it. G 2 Digitized by Microsoft® 44 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. Urian (pulling open his jaws). His mouth with teeth is overstocked, Too many has he for his share ; Look at this tusk ! I am quite shocked ; It must come out, and so prepare. Depositor, A monstrous fang, in length a yard ; Reach me the forceps ; hold him hard. \He pretends to pull out a tooth. Urian (showing a big piece of wood shaped like a tooth). In all my days I never saw A tusk like this in any jaw. Depositor, The tooth is out brave Urian, Give me pomatum now, my man, T' anoint his sheepish head ; Should he a maid from far give some ache. His nearer sight will turn her stomach ; And if he through the streets will go. The dogs will follow him I know. \They rub a lot of foul grease over his head. Urian. Hear me you maidens ! Steel your hearts Against this brute of evil savour ; He has no manners, no good parts, And you'd be poison'd by his flavour. Depositor, Now lend a hand my trusty knave. And we his horse-hair head will shave ; While on his head this knife I'll wield I will to you the scissors yield. Digitized by Microsoft® RIST'S VERSION. 45 Have done now, this is quite enough, So fine is he, that we seem rough. Urian (knocking his hat over his eyes). A grand improvement : now let's see If we can sing another glee : And try him for the last time. Our games are nearly over now — The finis of our game is near ; Present will soon be past time. [Here a Volks-lied may be sung. Depositor {addressing Cornute).* You've had what you deserv'd ; now say, Will you reform, and from this day ? CORNUTUS. To live henceforth I will endeavour In virtue and in honour ever. Depositor. Good ! man of horns ; now prythee say If more of me you want to-day. CORNUTUS. My great wish is, sir, if you can. Make me an honest journeyman. Urian. For that you are as fit, I vow. As my grandmother's fat old sow. * De Vise here says : " After the Song the Wand may here come into play, if it please the audience. This Wand was an imitation of a long German Sausage, filled with bran, and the Cornute was chased about with blows from it. This is evidently referred to by the Depositor in the next sentence : ' You've had what you deserved,' " &c. Digitized by Microsoft® 46 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. Depositor {fakes up the hatchet and knocks the hat and horns off -the head of Cornutus). There fall your horns ; now take your oath That vengeance you will ne'er essay On either one of us or both For all the scorn you've had to-day. [Cornutus takes oath,* repeating solemnly after Depositor. Depositor. I swear now at the end Cornutus. I swear now at the end Depositor. My own cash I can spend, Cornutus. My own cash I can spend, Depositor And nought else I intend ; Cornutus. And nought else I intend ; . Depositor. No vengeance will I seek, Cornutus. No vengeance will I seek, Depositor. But hold myself quite meek. Cornutus. But hold myself quite meek, And offer you my cheek. * The oath in De Vise's version runs thus: — " Now first of all you make your vow, And swear that nowhere and nohow You will divulge, whate'er it be, Of this day's doings, in any degree. Place the first finger of your right hand, And swear with it upon this wand." All that the Comute swears is that he will spend his postulate money on a feast. There is here an evident survival of some secret formalities no longer in use. Digitized by Microsoft® JilST'S VERSION. 47 Depositor (gives him a hard box on the ears). Your wages take thus from my hand, Henceforth from no one you shall stand Such treatment as to-day's j And now confess each evil deed, * Take good advice to serve your need, And then go on your way, Urian (to the audience). Our merry play is nearly done, The Parson will be now appearing To do his office. I, for one, Bid you good bye, and make a clearing. \Exit. Depositor (to the audience), f Amongst you all, if there be one Who to our ancient gild would come. Let him speak out, and wTth forms old And all due rites we'll him enfold. Let him appear and we with pain Will go throiigh this our play again. \Exit. \Here the two witnesses go out and re-enter, condtating the Parson, who is in full priesfs canonicals. % * " Confess to the priest your sins of old, And he will shrive you when all are told." — De Vise. t " If any one here should willing be, To be shav'd and trimm'd, as you did see. Let him come forth and lay him down, And we'll make him tidy from foot to crown. We'll treat him so lovingly, well he may Wish himself many miles away. " — De Vise. X In De Vise's verson two Sponsors come in with the Priest. Digitized by Microsoft® 48 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYFOGRAPHICI. Parson. (Jood friends and masters all, I give you joy and greeting What are your wishes, and for what this happy meeting ? I'm told you want me ; well, I'm here ; If I can be of use, make it appear. Witnesses. * Most honour'd sir, this youngster here Has undergone our proofs severe With patience and endurance. We now entreat you set him free From Comute bonds, and let him be Of good hope and assurance. With water sprinkle him this night, And tell him how to live aright, And guide his life in ev'ry part In true accordance with our Art. Parson. I will do this, but first of all The Comute on his knees must fall ; Confession must be made. And then afresh he shall be named. Or by our gild I shall be blamed For leaving part unsaid. * " Good Father ! we would kindly ask That you would undertake the task To shrive and absolve this Journeyman new Who suffered has what was his due ; And then baptize him, as is the way, On these occasions for many a day ; And afterwards teach him how to behave If he would wish his soul to save." — De Vise. Digitized by Microsoft® lilST'S VERSION. 49 \Here the Cornute j^a// confess to the Priest as follows: Good master, please to hear what I am now confessing, Acknowledging that I have spent in sin my days ; To follow wicked men I never wanted pressing. To vice and actions bad I always gave my praise. To no one did I good — in doing wrong I revelled ; In mischief I rejoiced — I was an idle thief ; When everything went wrong, I laughed as if bedevilled, When others were in luck my heart was filled with grief When of my 'prenticeship the term was gone and over I was exceeding proud, as Grandee I would pose, Who in his vain conceit could always live in clover ; Altho' no man did more all goodness to oppose. I loved to be called " Sir," or "Monsieur," or "Signore," And liked to make pretence I was a man of mark. So lost in self-conceit was I, and in vain-glory, That I was oft in broils, and did in strife embark, I had no mind for art, for manners, nor for learning, So that at last the horns of brutes grew on my head ; But you, good sir, who have my wrarmest thanks been earning, Have freed me from these horns, and made me " man " instead. A Printer-journeyman I now am by your labour. As plainly has been seen by all our honoured guests, And now I mean to live so as to gain the favour Of God, and all true men ; and here my purpose rests. \This confession ended, the Parson bids him rise, and thus addresses him : Parson. I'm very glad to find You mean to bear in mind Your own renown and fame, And this, your trial, over. As Printer you'll endeavour To uphold the Printer's name. Digitized by Microsoft® so DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. You have now truly told — And fully did unfold How you have sinn'd of yore ; Your tricks and their bad ending. And that you. are intending To cancel the old score. Now, if you wish to labour For honour and for favour, To Virtue's voice give heed. I'll call you then in gladness, When free from vice and badness, A Journeyman indeed. My good advice now take, It is no joke I make, I speak for your good weal ; And first to find endeavour, A master kind and clever. Who has with you to deal. Beware of lies and slander,. From truth you shall not wander. Be mindful of your fame. With gamblers have no dealing, Their trade is fraud and stealing. They bring to want and shame. In speech and manner able. Be modest at the table As an invited guest. Speak well to get a hearing. But be not over-bearing, Talk less than all the rest. Digitized by Microsoft® H/ST'S VERSION. 51 If you'd gain approbation, Still keep in mind your station ; Don't speak without sure proof. The absent never slander, In idleness ne'er wander, From bad men keep aloof. Do not retail each rumour, Such is an evil humour, And often leads to woe. But when your fellows gabble, And joke, and idly babble, Leave them alone to go. Of scolding and of railing Beware, — ^it is a failing ; To quarrel still be coy. Refrain from tender cooing, Matrons and maids pursuing Will never bring you joy. Hear much, but keep from telling, Tales are for ever swelling, Much talk leads to disgrace. At work be ever steady. But be not over-ready To take another's place. Full many make pretence, With neither brains nor sense, To play a Printer's part. Avoid their bad example, Their ignorance is ample — Talking is all their art. H 2 Digitized by Microsoft® 52 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. Work hard, but work with reason, Like bees work in the season ; Make all the gain you may. He who depends for living On work, must still be giving His mind to it alway. Be proper in all matters, A man in rags and tatters Is in no easy way ; Low is his place at table, Hardly will he be able To find employ and pay. Attend to proper teachers, And to the worthy preachers Who show us what is good ; Go still to church to pray. On God look as your stay. The Bible as your food. Of right be the defender Against each wrong pretender. Your promise never break. Keep clear of debt — 'tis sorrow — Earn all, but never borrow : Debts make the strong man weak. Remember what I've said As through the paths you tread Of our immortal Art. God's blessing now be on you ; Where'er your fate may lead you Act like a man your part. Digitized by Microsoft® ..JilST'S VERSION. 53 \The Parson then calls on the Witnesses to come forward, and asks them to name the new journeyman. This done, he solemnly sprinkles him with water, but in such a manner that nobody shall he offended thereby, and pronounces over him these words: — 3 5«ffifi confim anil tncotpotate t^ee, ia.iS-., in \%z name of our totole Clompanton0i)ip, TJenwts, fflemts, ISawi&i, ^zx poctila pocnlorum, ^mcn.* ^hid id the end of our glaij. \The ceremony being now over, the friends come forward, and present gifts to the new journeyman, and wish him good luck. Some- times a Ball is given by the new journeyman or his parents. * Rist has varied considerably the ending of De Vise, who puts a long speech in "the mouth of the Priest. The Cornute is told to act and behave himself in the most outrageous manner towards his master, his companions, and all with whom he comes in contact, but the Priest, at the very end, says : — " This is my speech, and to mind it be wary, Of all I have said you must do the contrary.'' Priest to Sponsors. Tell me, my friends, what the name shall be Of this hopeful child I have before me. {ffere a name is given.) The Priest then pours a glass of water over his head, and says : — I baptise thee in the name of Venus, Ceres and Bacchus. Per pocula poculorum ; Now all is done et consummatum. Tlie Sponsor, who holds the basin, then pours the remainder of the water over the Comute, and says : — A second christening now you've got, With the holy water the Priest forgot. Digitized by Microsoft® 54 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. Be/ore the Company separates, a young workman, dressed as Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, or as a beautiful matron representing Typographia* comes forward, holding a book, or the model of a printing press, and thanks them for their presence in an (Epilogue, Our Guests and Masters good, you Maidens and you Matrons, Who of this Play of ours are pleas'd to be the patrons, Receive our hearty thanks for your attractive presence ; Your favour is of our content the sweetest essence. True 'tis we have not shown to you the real old play, Such as in olden times our workmen did portray In this our ancient town ; such was not our intent, But just to keep alive old customs we are bent : We've only tried to prove how much our Art we love, As our forefathers did — to do the like we strove. The noble Printing Art that came from Heaven down Has merited full well all credit and renown. The world now follows fast the teaching of our Art, And gets from her all joys for body, soul, and heart. Nor say we this alone — our Emperor renown'd For his magnificence, and with bright laurels crown'd, Loves this our Art right well, and deems its glory true. As though to his right hand had fall'n a kingdom new. Our Sages and Divines, who at all errors strike. Show to our Art their love and gratitude alike. * In Gessner's "Buchdruckerkunst," Typography is represented as a beautiful woman, her garments bearing a diamond pattern, and in each diamond a letter. Digitized by Microsoft® JilST'S VERSION. 55 But pause ! why speak alone of men — they are but mortal, When GOD Almighty has our Art used as a portal ; From whence His holy word may issue and may spread, A solace for all souls, and of each life the bread. The BIBLE now makes bloom the arid Wilderness, Then let all men unite to bless the Printing-Press. Creator ever good ! Great Father of all grace, We pray to Thee to spread our Art to every race. Our Master Printers good, and their relations all. We recommend to Thee — ^be with them, great and small; And let Thy Holy Word be printed by their hands. And for the common good be spread throughout all lands. Protect our noble Art from all adversity. And we will praise Thy name to all eternity. And now you Maidens fair. Matrons and Masters all. Who kindly have to-day responded to our call, We thank you from our hearts ; your presence at our labour Shows plainly to us all that we enjoy your favour. And if our Play to-night has not been good to see- Nothing is perfect quite — next time 'twill better be. At present fare you well, good wishes with us send. To please you all has been our only aim and end. All times and everywhere we are at your command. So long as worthy books find readers in our land. Digitized by Microsoft® S6 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. From a rare Book of Plates entitled " Academia, sive Speculum Vitce Sckolasticm," long 4to, Trajecti Batavorum. Ex officina ckalcogr: Crisfians Passat. i6i2. Digitized by Microsoft® CHAPTER IV. THE DEPOSITIO AT THE UNIVERSITIES. T may seem at first sight somewhat far-fetched when the subject is the Depositio of the Printers, to in- troduce a description of the ceremonies adopted at the German Universities when the "Foxes," or Freshmen, were admitted as students. But in truth the customs were so very similar, and the connection so evident, that any essay upon the Printers' Depositio would be incomplete which did not embrace also an account of the Universities' Depositio. Most students in the i6th and 17th centuries went from school to the University at an early age, from 10 to 16 ; and from their youth and immaturity were nick-named " Beans," a word apparently derived from the students' "langue verte" at Paris, where all the new comers were called " bees jaunes " or " yellow- beaks,'' young birds having that peculiarity in a conspicuous degree. In Latin it was " bejanus," and thence " beanus." The chief aim of a Bean was to change his state, which could only be done by the ceremony of " deposition." This ceremony differed somewhat in the various Universities, both in action and in nomenclature. The observances were modified by national pe- cuharities, but not radically, and the Bean (known later as a " Fox " ) was called " Bacchant " in some Universities, and " Brauer " in others. The Depositio was as free from plot as a modern pantomime. It consisted entirely of foolish jokes and horse-play, which however at their first institution were considered I Digitized by Microsoft® SS jDEPOSITtO CORNUri TYPOGRAPHICL anything but foolish. On the contrary, the performance was open to the public,* and was looked upon as an important and serious matter, the object to be effected being the entrance of the youth into academical life. As a " Bacchant " he then left behind him all home-bred puerilities and country awkwardness, and became transformed into an educated and manly student. It is much to be regretted that although references to the University Depositio are frequent in the writings of the 17th and 1 8th centuries, and it was indeed rather a favourite subject for the theses of the students, we yet have nowhere so good an account of it as we have of the Printers' play. Luther wrote in Latin, "De ritu Depositionis Academicse," and M. Sehme published a dissertation having the same title, upholding its usefulness; and it is mentioned so far back as 1578 by Johann Dinckel who wrote "De origine, causis, typo, et ceremoniis illius ritus qui vulgo in Scholis De- positio appellatur;" yet many modern writers who have treated of University customs have omitted all notice of it. Howitt,t who spent some years as a student at Heidelberg, and has written the best English description of German University life, devotes two pages to the old Depositio, and these he borrowed from Arnold, who again had borrowed from Sehme. The custom gradually died out from the beginning of the last century, although a solitary instance of its revival occurred in 1753, when the father of a youth made special arrangements with the authorities to have his son "deposed," as a memorial of the ceremony through which he himself had gone before the abolition of the custom. This was at the University of Altdorf. % In 161 2 a curious series of plates, each with a few lines of text, was engraved by S. Passe, in which the various phases of University life were cleverly depicted. The 4th plate is given here in facsimile : it represents the Depositio. The scene is the great * Arnold, however, in his History of the High School of Konigsberg says, the spectators consisted of Students. fThe Student-Life of Genuany, by William Howitt, 8vo. London, 1841. p. 104. X Howitt, p.ic6. Digitized by Microsoft® UNIVERSITIES' DEPOSITIO. 59 Hall, in which about a dozen Beans are shown undergoing the ceremonies. The operators, fantastically dressed, are tormenting them with whips and other instruments; the figure in front is having the hatchet applied to him, a saw being on the ground close by. In the corner is a basket, containing a pair of horns, and some small instruments, with a pitcher of water by the side of it. It is however noticeable that, although we read that the public were freely admitted, we see no visitors present, unless three students in the top left-hand corner may be taken as spectators. This agrees with the account of Arnold already men- tioned. The interest here is entirely confined to the pictorial treatment. The translation of the Latin verse appended to the engraving is as follows : — " That he may be able to assume courteous manners, laying aside such as are unpolished, and may with due religious rites sacrifice to the Ionian gods with favour- able omens, the tyro is scourged with little whips and cut with knives, that ^son may henceforth become a different being." The longest notice of the ceremony is by a boy named Wilhelm Weber, who wrote a crude poem* in the year 1636 of how he wended his way to Altdorf to be deposed, which was accomplished with 12 "other boys." It is amusing to find that boys then were extremely like boys now, for the Depositor, search- ing Weber's pocket, drew forth " three pine cones, two musical pears, three pieces of string, a bundle of straw and a handkerchief." The boyhood of the University Bean is here to be specially noted with reference, and in contradistinction to, the youth among Printers, where the Cornute, being deposed at the end of his apprenticeship, was always a young man. Weber describes the various processes in quite a boyish manner, but with little acute- ness of observation: he was beaten, thrown down, planed, sawn, etc.; the Cornute hat, which was woollen, was fitted tight on his head with a crooked ramshorn hanging from it, and the final act was to knock his hat off with an axe. After the ceremony was over the boys went into a room, where they all knelt before " Magister Jacobus Tydaeus," who made! a Latin speech and absolved them * This poem is printed at length in the Weimarishes Jahrbuch, 1854. I 2 Digitized by Microsoft® 6o DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. all in the name of the Holy Trinity. Each had some salt, " sal sapientiae," put in his mouth, and then the "Magister" poured a a glass of wine over each of their heads, pronouncing at the same time some Latin words on the blessing of Wine and its signification. The ceremony closed with a Latin speech from the Dean upon the significance of the rites, and the registration of their names by the appointed official. The day following a " Testimonium " was delivered to each, which in Weber's case was as follows :. " Be it known hereby to every man that under the honourable and well-learned Magister Jacobus Bruno of the University of Altdorf, Professor of Ethics and the Greek Tongue, that the honoured owner of this, Wilhelm Weber of Niirenberg, lover of the work of German Poetry, at his own request completed his deposition at this place, and with others was freed from his Beanismus. As a true document he receives here this Testimonium, with the honour of belonging to the University as attested by the Common Seal. He has also been confirmed according to ancient custom and has had his name inscribed by me the Notary of the University, as witness my hand. Given at Altdorf on SS. Peter's and Paul's day, the 29th July, 1636. — Conradus Ibever, Notarius Publicus." The following description is given by Oscar Dolch : — * When a Bacchant wished to be deposed, he had first to apply to the Dean of the Philosophical Faculty. When a certain number had made application, a day was appointed on which the Depositor made his appearance, in a comical dress peculiar to the occasion, and similar to that worn by the actors in a pantomime. First he ordered the necessary tools and instruments to be displayed ready for use. The Bacchants were then all arrayed in the Bacchant- coat, which was an odd garment, made to excite laughter and derision. This was done as if to show that he was not a human being, but an unreasoning and horned animal, and in order that at the end he might appear again in human shape, as a token that he had laid aside all the foolishness of a Bacchant, and wished to be a reasonable man. * Geschichte des Deutschen Studententhums, 1848. Digitized by Microsoft® UNIVERSITIES' DEPOSITIO. 6i The Depositor then decorated the Bacchants with beards, painted on with shoe-blacking, and delivered a Prologue in the presence of the Dean and other visitors. This commenced the Act of Deposition. The Prologue over, the Depositor put captious questions to the novices, or made them discourse on some subject. In his hand he carried a sausage, filled with sand and bran, and if the answers of the novices did not please him he beat them so as often to make them cry. This done the Bacchants were all laid down on the floor, so that their heads formed the circumference of a circle — a memento of meekness and submission. Lying on the ground the novices were then chipped with an axe to remove excres- cences, the plane, saw, gimlet, etc., being also used upon them. Everything objectionable was thus supposed to be cut away and annihilated from soul and body. Thus renovated they rose up, when horns were placed on their heads and knocked off by the Depositor, to show that their former hardness and obstinacy were entirely eradicated and killed ; then the hair of each was cut and powdered with sawdust, so that they might remember to keep it clean, and not let it grow to pride and abomination ; and their ears were cleaned with an immense ear-scoop, so that they should listen and be attentive to the teaching of virtup and wisdom, (and deaf to impure conversation and pernicious talk. Each had then a long tusk placed in his mouth, which was drawn out with a pair of tongs, the Bacchant all the time sitting on a one-legged stool, to signify that he should not be ferocious, nor gnaw at the good name of others with calumnious tooth. His hands and nails were then trimmed with a file, so that he should not use them as weapons with which to brawl and fight, to rob and steal, but for his books, for holding a pen, and for work suitable to a student. The beard painted on his chin was then shaved off, signifying that he should no longer occupy himself with childish play, but should govern himself as a bearded man. A red brick was used for soap ; a wooden knife for a razor, and a piece of old coarse linen for a towel. Lastly, cards and dice were produced to see if the Bacchant still hankered after such pernicious things, as also a music-book, so that when tired with studying he should feel that in music was always to be found a source of refreshment and pleasure. Digitized by Microsoft® 62 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. The Bacchants now went out, and re-appeared shortly in their ordinary dress ; the Depositor then made a speech in Latin, in which he recommended them to the Dean, and requested in their name a Certificate of Deposition. The Dean replied, also in Latin, explained the meaning of the ceremony, and gave them good advice as to their future conduct. Salt and wine were then handed to each Bacchant, to intimate that they should season their words and deeds with wisdom and good-fellowship. The Bacchants were now Students, and each said to the Depositor — " Accipe, Depositor, pro munere munera grata Et sic qUEeso, mei sis maneasque memor." Receive, O Depositor, for thy service my thankful gifts; And so I beg be now and ever mindful of me. The regulations concerning the appointment of the Depositor, who was a regularly authorised and paid officer of the University, and the abuses of the ceremony, do not come within the scope of our enquiry. It may be here noticed, that although the distinctive rite of baptism which was originally common to all these ceremonies is not prominent in the above description, there are plain traces of its old use. The ewer of water seen in the print has no meaning, except as a survival of baptism, which, although disused in deference to public opinion, was succeeded by the glass of wine, poured on the head of the candidate by the Dean. Long after the abolition of the Depositio, the first Drinking-supper at which freshmen ^v'ere present was celebrated with practical jokes and song, and known as " The baptism of the Foxes." Digitized by Microsoft® CHAPTER V. VARIOUS CEREMONIES SIMILAR TO THE DEPOSITIO. T would be a grave mistake to suppose that the Depositio was confined to the Universities and Printers : ceremonies similar in spirit, if not in name, were customary in all trades; and every craft-gild had its peculiar rites, corresponding with the Depositio, and intended to invest the entrance of their apprentices upon the full freedom of manhood with the importance and significance due to an event so memorable. We should remember that every tradesman was necessarily a member of some gild, and was obliged to serve an apprenticeship to entitle him to gild privileges, without which he could not carry on business, rent a shop, or engage others to work for him. Thus it will be seen that the day upon which a youth was first endowed with such privileges was indeed to him and his friends a most important occasion. The form of initiation adopted varied according to the nature and custom of each trade. The ceremonial and the speeches were often crude and coarse even to brutality, but the customs of the period allowed, and long use sanctioned, them. The play was indeed a sorry affair without them. The comical misfortunes of the Comute excited roars of laughter, while the wittiest jokes and wisest saws which in the course of generations were formulated by the journey- men, became at last conventional favourites and looked-for features of the occasion. The various trades had various names for their initiatory rites. The Coopers called them a "wetting;" the Locksmiths Digitized by Microsoft® 64 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. a "beard-biting;" the Carpenters a "planing;" the Smiths the "fire-damping." All these ceremonies had many features in common, and are supposed by Herr Oscar Schade to be survivals ■ of old mediaeval festivities, such as "the Feast of Asses" and "the Boy-bishop." These saturnalia, indeed, had this feature in common with the Depositio and the trade rites — they ridiculed those very things to which at other times the greatest honour and reverence were rendered. The coarseness and profanity of "the Boy-bishop" ceremonies, which were celebrated through the greater part of Europe, went far beyond the early customs of the Depositio in extravagance, and had they not been chronicled by unimpeachable historians it would have been difficult to believe that such gross mockery of all that was holy was not only per- mitted, but encouraged by the Church, as well as the Civil authorities. On this festival, which took place on Innocents- day, the clergy of the cathedrals and parish churches resigned their offices and powers for a few days, while the choristers, the school-boys, and the lower clergy elected a Bishop from among themselves, who, dressed in full canonicals, performed all the church services, recited mass at the altar in the most absurd and irreverent manner, and went through the office not only with ribald gestures and profane words, but with frequent indecent allusions and boisterous laughter. " The Feast of Asses," an annual cere- mony on the 14th January, was greatly enjoyed by the people throughout Germany. It seems to have been in commemoration of the flight into Egypt. A beautiful girl with an infant in her arms, seated on an ass, richly caparisoned, was brought into the church at the head of a grand procession. On reaching the altar Mass was sung, the priests he-hawing in imitation of braying, and singing in the most discordant manner possible hymns in praise of the Ass. The Archbishop of Sens (a.d. 1222) composed a service specially for this festival, the processional hymn of nine verses, commencing — Orientis partibus Adventavit Asinus Pulcher et fortissimus Sarcinus aptissimus. Amen dicas Asine Digitized by Microsoft® GILD CEREMONIES. 65 This service was very long, and at the commencement of the anthem, "Conductus ad poculum," wine was brought into the chancel and distributed freely to all, the Ass also being provided with provender and drink.* It requires the strongest evidence to make one believe that men at other times sober, discreet and reverent, could willingly bear a part in such deviUsh outbreaks. This spirit of mockery was not ecclesiastical only, D'Israeli gives a curious account in the " Curiosities of Literature " f of similar saturnalia among the grave students of the Inns of Court, presided over by the learned Dugdale, where the highest legal officers were held up to ridicule, and the most impressive legal ceremonies were parodied in the coarsest manner. The Reformation did much, by spreading knowledge and culture, to eradicate such saturnaUa, but it was only partially suc- cessful. The treatment of scriptural subjects by Hans Sachs, the famous Lutheran shoemaker-poet of Niiremberg, and the immense popularity his works obtained, show that the old humour was still strong. As an instance, take the following plot of one of his religious plays. St. Peter is asked by the Lord how he likes Heaven, his new abode. He answers that Heaven is well enough, but he regrets that before his crucifixion he had not had a good feast with some of his friends, and taken a long farewell of them ; this he said because he knew that Carnival time on earth was near, and he wished to be present. The Lord gives him leave to revisit the earth, but makes him promise not to stay long. Peter then joins three of his friends and has a jovial time of it. On the ninth day, having a bad head-ache, he bethinks him of returning, and forthwith proceeds to Heaven to entreat pardon. The Lord meets him, and Peter is full of excuses, pleading the good company he has been in and the good cheer in mitigation of his anger. The Lord enquires if in the midst of so many good things, and so much feasting and enjoyment, they were not all full of thankfulness to * Much worse than this may be read in Strutt's Sports and Pastimes, in Turner's History of England, in Warton, and in Dr. Karl Hase's "Miracle- Plays," and many other writers. t Ed. 1858, vol. ii, p. 259. K Digitized by Microsoft® 66 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. Him, the giver of all. Peter is fain to confess that no one said anything about God but an old woman, who, when her apple-stall was burnt, called so wildly on the Lord that they all laughed. Peter is re-instated, and when at the same time next year he makes the same request he is granted a month, the Lord saying, " Since sweet does no good, sour must help." This time, on reaching his friends, Peter finds nothing but blight, famine, war, and pestilence, and returns at once to heaven. The Lord asks again if he heard anyone asking for him. Peter replies — " Oh yes, most gracious Lord ! for Thee Both young and old with fervour cry," and begs for pardon and mercy. The Lord then closes the play with a moral discourse on the benefit of adversity. * When Roman Catholic and Lutheran alike could reconcile so easily the ludicrous and the religious, comicalities in mere mun- dane matters come with no surprise upon us, and the coarseness of the Depositio fits in naturally with the customs of the period. We have already mentioned that all trades had their own cere- monials upon the admission of freemen, and we will now give as a parallel to the Depositio of the Printers, a short account of the "Wetting" of the Coopers. A late i8th century version is all that has descended to us, and therefore the gross elements which were doubdess in vogue some centuries earlier are here wanting. The full text is given in the Weimarischen Jahrbuch, 1845, from the original, which exists in MS. only. The Cooper's " Wetting " is very long, and not of sufficient interest to be printed in full. The following are the chief points in it. The apprentice having obtained the consent of a journey- man to act as his Sponsor (in German, "Schleif-Pfaffe," or " Wetting-parson "), the masters and journeymen meet at the appointed time in a room, when the Sponsor brings in the apprentice, who among the Coopers was called a " Goatsapron," and says he brings before them a ne'er-do-well, a murderer of hoops, a spoiler of wood, an idle loon, a betrayer of masters * See Hase's Miracle-Plays, p. 134. Digitized by Microsoft® GILD CEREMONIES. 67 and men, who promises after his '"wetting" to be an honest journeyman. A great deal of ceremonious dialogue follows, and the Sponsor demands if anyone has ought to say against himself, or the Goatsapron, No one replying, the Sponsor puts a stool upon the table and makes the Goatsapron mount and sit upon it. The Sponsor stands also on the table by his side. Everyone present then in turn pulls away the stool and lets the Goatsapron fall down, who is immediately pulled up by his hair or his ear by the Sponsor and reseated, amidst the joking and jeers of the company. This over, the Goatsapron has to choose from the journeymen present two Godfathers, whose duty is to give him a new name which is comical, such as Jack Drinkall, Valentine Stophorn, Urban Warm-glue, or something appropriate to his personal character or appearance. The Sponsor then having certified that the proper "gift" has been made, pours on the Goatsapron some of the wine or beer provided for the occasion, and wets the Goatsapron thus : — " Here, I, an .honest journeyman N. N. now wet thee N. N. for the first time on the table and before the table to be an honest journeyman, in the name of the masters and journeymen in this open meeting." The Goatsapron then turns round three times saying, " Good luck ! God favour our honest craft." A number of questions are then asked as to his future course of life, the Goatsapron always answering wrong, and receiving various hair-pullings. The following is the last : — Sponsor.—''- You will then come to a piece of water, across which is a narrow bridge, upon which are an old man, a maidep, and a he-goat, and the bridge so narrow that no one can pass the other. What will you do ? Will you push them all three into the water and pass on ? " Goatsapron. — " Yes." Sponsor.—" You shall not do so, but thus : Mount the goat, put the maiden in front and the old man behind you, and so all three cross together. You can then take the maid for your wife, the old man can deliver the wedding invitations, while the flesh of K 2 Digitized by Microsoft® 68 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. the goat will make the feast, his skin a good apron, and his back a capital bench ; thus you can make good use of the maid, the man ■ and the goat." The Goatsapron is then wetted again as before, and the Sponsor declares to him the customs of the craft, which " Commenced with Noah, that pious man, Who first coopering began," and discovered the use of Wine. After a great deal of advice how to behave while travelling when entering a town, while in work, when at workmen's meetings, as to keeping the laws of the craft, etc., the Goatsapron is wetted for the third and last time ; he then gives him (suiting his actions to his word) "a screw into the right ear and out again from the left : a good plucking of the hair ; a box on the ear ; and a good glass of wine on the head." He is advised never again to submit to such treatment, but that if anyone gets hold of his hair, to return the compliment, if he can, and if not, to leave it alone. The Goatsapron then jumps over all the tables, and rushing out into the street, cries " Fire ! Fire ! " the others follow and pour water on him, and the Sponsor having brought him back, they all wish him luck. The feast follows, at which he sits with a garland on his head, and all drink success to him in his future life. Throughout the whole of the ceremony, which must have lasted at least two hours, there are allusions and phrases which evidently point to a period centuries earlier than the manuscript from which Herr Schade has taken his text. In this play, too, we notice plain evidences of disused rites. Numerous cases of impropriety and immorality are mentioned in which the apprentice is asked how he will act. His reply is always on the devil's side. There is a general depreciation of the youth's character — a fixing upon him an ingrained natural iturpitude, the " original sin " of theologians. And this sin or defect of nature can only be washed away by baptism, which is always the final act, after which the candidate is at once admitted into the gild as an honest workman entitled to the full rights of fellowship. Digitized by Microsoft® v^^■'^/^/^/^■■^^/vV■A/^y^y^/V^■<^AA./^/^.AAAA;a^AA/^y^A^^^ CHAPTER VI. THE ORIGIN, GROWTH, DECADENCE AND EXTINCTION OF THE DEPOSITIO. HE origin of the University as well as the Printers' Depo- sitio can only be surmised, for both are lost in the gloom of antiquity. From the first institution of Universities there are traces of a mystical form of initiation for the novices, who had at times to submit to very rough usage, but these ceremonies were nowhere known as Depositio. This word, bor- rowed from the Romans, who called the laying out of a dead person " depositio," and applied the same word to burial rites, was probably first used in the i6th century, and has a certain appro- priateness ; for the whole meaning of the ceremony, whether in the University Hall or in the Printing-office, was just this : — a sym- bolical death unto sin, death to all the foolishness and brutal ten- dencies in man's nature, and through baptism a resurrection to wisdom and newness of life. It should always be remembered that the purifying efficacy of water is an idea as old as any religion whatever, and was at all times and in all places an essential part of the cultus. Indians and Parsees alike baptized their children with water. The mysta in the Eleusinian mysteries went to the sea in solemn procession for im- mersion. The High Priests of the Jews were consecrated first by baptism and then by unction. The Egyptian priests purified themselves with water thrice every day. Among the Camatic and Kalmuk nations baptism of children by water prevailed, and even among the American Indians was found the same custom. Digitized by Microsoft® 70 DEPOSITIO CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIC!. Traditionary customs take deep root in the national mind and have extreme vitality, often outliving other conditions of national life, and will sometimes revive years after their supposed death. Thus when the Roman-Pagan and German-Pagan States became christianized, many old heathen ceremonies maintained their hold, so that it became politic on the part of their Christian teachers to adopt them and adapt them to their new creed. For these reasons we think it probable that both forms of the Depositio were not ceremonies introduced for the first time in this or that century, but survivals through many ages, of heathen rites modified by Christianity. Herr Oscar Schade, however, in an interesting essay* traces the origin of the Printers' Depositio to the Depositio at the Universities. He says : "The Printers' Depositio was closely connected with the University Depositions. The reason why Printers, Compositors, etc., borrowed, and had a right to borrow, ceremonies from the Universities, is to be found in the fact, that their profession stood very high in public estimation, and that the Printers themselves were men of education, much superior to the mere craftsman." No evidence is adduced in proof of this statement, which in fact is traceable no farther back than De Vise in 1621, whose opinion every succeeding writer has adopted as a matter of course. Had such rites existed only in the Universities and Printing- offices, it would be reasonable to infer that Printers as the younger, had borrowed from the Universities as the older institution. But in fact similar initiatory ceremonies existed from the earliest times in all trades. Just as the Universities enforced their ceremonies upon every youth before entering his name upon their roll in order to make him remember the occasion and prize his privileges, so did the masters and men in all trades agree that the entry of an apprentice into his full rights as a workman should be made as memorable an occasion as possible. A few Universities un- doubtedly existed before the invention of Printing, and they all * Weimarisches Jahrbuch, 1857. Digitized by Microsoft® ORIGIN, GROWTH, 6-r«il>flpic^wo§c« (^CDteUi^fgefcbf^oifan/) ^ Sifwai^iu grob gtft&f/ .SSfmWnfc^f ffir ^^nguf ah. *^ t<4^it6 gtfaffen b#r£{ bcc^f #§ Sfirbtc6/b«ft/e|fbwtJWHt6/ f^<«mflnbi>f'Epil0£a|,- 4. Cotnatui. 2.C>epp&(or« f.-2>ci:pfaffl (^hronodijlichoti^ C Man lieljf f ^V( Vfcert Ie§f Id' f!cf QScrRieffung i^rcr Ve^r«5a(r(/{u Suc(^* dructer<@ei(U(0 fonnen ern(nn(f/btl!((i^(f/«n'Un(aoff> genommcn t»cr(en. Stuff frmnt)«c&ct) ^nfud^cn un& fon^crBare^ QDcge^rett/ wic Denti auc^ Dfr^oclg«unDnicfer*5?unfl su uncergdnglic&enSbren/ n)olmeinentlic6 abgefajTet 93on Slnjtfeo abcr 511 &cr «Kle&errdcl)itf(|^cn 9Ie&c bie -^ocl^^eut* fd>f nnN gefe^t ; un& mit fdjoncn Sicbern oerrtiel^ret/ unD aljQ (vieDtnimb ium l^viicf bcfi^rDcrt. Smndfm m tl?Ayn/ No. 6. Digitized by Microsoft® DEPOSITfO CORNUTI TY- POGRAPHIC!. lift el0|e« k\i ginnedmimg unb 25e^ ftatticjimg cine^ 3"n9sn'®efellen / t)er tig •' €Dfc ^uirft 2^utt>tn-udrerf») rcbficl) Ijaf au0* 0(krn€t/ el^ncetmge "^ilergerndffe fan agir(( unt> furg(fleU(t tvetCcn. ^um tvUmmal ^tbrud^t su JLdneburg in bep 5lnjeiiO aber Buramniengffra^cn/ tjerme()ref ©aniel ^tcfeael ©cl)ma^cn / 5cr €5Ien ^unff Sucl)brucfcrcp Q3erttJan^tcc. toggys*— »!.»&. /ewSf'SSS/Bai ©c^rucf t bet) St^bann ^orftcn^ Anno M DC LXXXIV. No. 7. Digitized by Microsoft® CORNUTI TYPOGRAPHIGI, " mi fj^&ie S&le ^unfi bee Q5uc^t)cuilun|I von 3o(ianni«iff. 31^ (Hrftentna^lgettucftfri iPihieBur^. 2(nl$o a^n ciufk neue nefcen Der 9flt(ber*@(!cf)fif(6m SiieN 2fttr3a^i:€^w|li/ 1714. No. 8. Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® IMP D E P O CORNVTITY Dermittelft M^{ uft xcWi mmttMm i&rtr le|t?'i fieftdttiget nnt) aiifi 1^ m ■■'*^^°^'- ~ ■ ■■ - ^o^an 1. Monficur SaufetDin^ 2. ®ec Proiogus, obec fOowebner. 3. :©ei: ^ccc Depofitor. 4. ©ein ^nttjt Between pp. So ^ Si. Digitized by Microsoft® ». S IT I O POGRAPHICI. tvitmMpitl/ jenommen toecDeit/ Nc 6UC& bcr f)oc[>«nnb wcifgctu^mtm SSuc&bi:ucPer<^unfl ^. 1654. tvolinemenb &tsal»fa|fe£ rr ^i|t ■ .. . il. iHI III ■ M 8. iDe^ Epiiogus,o&ei; tfladSrebttet 53 Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® DEPOSITIO CORNVTI TYPOGRAPHIC! 05ec anMungen, SBelc^e mit t)cnjenigm qkrfoneii, (ot>u cD(e Kunfl i6u(t)l7ru(lei:et; reOIupge/ecnet/ na($ @)Iiebern ht\Utiqtt, an^-unbaufgenonv men roerbeti/ In 'gefwnbenct: unb nngebunbenee Sle^s vor Hugtn QtfteHtt. ^erfonen (inb. ©er ^orre&ner/ Ser Dcpofitor, S)er (iotnut, £e^rmn|?(r, un& Sna(t)re&net. Se• flrtlRJIRilEIRS, tipttgSt anlr Botilg Typothetae \p et Pressores, ate Itfee utito tfte Swbattta of Ssaac, toSo tiiggetr " a toell of sptinBtitB toater " (Gen. xxvi, i8): Ufee tiitto t^c ?12aorfetnm of ISabtir anlf Solomon, tojo gpateir great Stones* an^ iutnieti tfte ?^ouge of tl^e ILorti (I Reg. v, i8): Ufee tje Smiti&g in gsrael toSo matre Stooris antr Spears for tiie Eor^'s people (i Sam. xiii, 19) : gt is tfies iof)o iuiW tje ISEalls of our Jerusalem (Neh. ii, i6) : t^eg are tje seben iSlen of MBislrom anil iS;notolel(3e appointetj fig t$e ^[postles (Acts vi. 3): tfi^B are t^e stoift Scribes ciiosen bg ®gt(ras b)to finisjetr 204 58oolts \x< 40 iags (I Esd. xiv, 44). Hifeetoise Cgpefouniiers, 212aooti anii aiopper= plate ©ngrabers are lifee l^iram tjfte Israelite, a iKlan cunning to hjorit all manner of iWetals, to^o matre 58ort(ers in (E^epe- anti ffli&ain- 212aorlt for ti)e 212Ealls of tf)e STcmple (i Reg. vii, 14). Chris: Bulaeus. * A large square Stone, upon which the Types were placed, was an integral part of the old Presses. Digitized by Microsoft® (^ppenbijr* 3 Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® APPENDIX. DEPOSITIO CORNUTI, ZU LOB VND EHREN Tier Edlen^ Hochlobltchen vnd Weitberhumbten Freyen Kunst IN KURTZE REIMEN VERFASSET DURCH PAULUM DE VISE Gedanensem Typothetam. Lectori S, Gunstiger Leser mein, Weil vberall thut seyn Du woUst nach deiner gunst Welch in der edlen Kunst Findstu dass ich wo hett Etwas ZU grob geredt. Lass dirs gefallen auch, Fiir dich, den jetzt der brauch, Es ist mein fireundlich Bitt, Verachten der Welt Sitt, Lesen die Verslein klein Zu dienst gemacht allein : (Wie leicht geschehen kan,) Nimbs nicht fur vngut an, Oder was bessers dicht Niemand bleibt vngericht. PERSONS 1. Prologus qui & Epilogus. 4. Comutus. 2. Depositor, s- Der Pfaff, 3. Knecht, 6. Beyde Paten, Chronodistichon B\\i\,\g Der Yor/aArn fe\ne Gsetz Man stelff thYt Yben letzt la stets. Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® APPENDIX. PROLOGUS. pHravest, Achtbare, Wohlgelehrt, ■•— ' Giinstige Herrn un Freunde wert, Frawen und Jungfrawen tugendreich, Ich wiinsch euch allensampt zugleich , Gottes Genad und milden Segn, Der euch beywohn aufF ewren Wegn, Bitte jhr woUt uns nicht verkehm Was jhr hie werdet sehn und horn, Sondern in still nach ewrer gunst Favorisirn uns und der Kunst. Was nun anlanget den Inhalt Dieser Sachen, gleicher gestalt Ich euch kiirtzlich berichten wil, Derhalben seyd ein wenig still : Dieweil man hie auff dieser Erd, Die freyeu Kiinst billich helt wert, Dessgleichen auch dieselben dan So jhn verwandt und zugethan. So habn die lieben Alten auch Gemachfeinen feinen Gebrauch, Dieweil der so da wil studirn, Sich muss zuvor lahn deponirn : Und nun ein Drucker un Student Gehort unter ein Regiment, Uii sein Wandel stets bey jn fiirt, Werd er billich auch deponirt ; Denn durchauss keine Fakultet Ohn jhre Biicher wol besthet, Es sind Theologi, Juristn, Medici oder Componistn, Astrologi, Philosophi, Poeten, Mathematici, Un wie solch herrlich Gottes gabn Imermehr mogen Namen habn : Darumb sie d^in der Drucker Kunst Stets geneigt sind mit jrer gunst, Ich geschweig was ein Biedennan Mehr Nutz darin betrachten kan, Welchs ich kiirtz halben unterlass, Damit die red nicht werd zu gross : Denn Keiser, Konig, Fiirsten, Herrn Halten die Kunst in hohen Ehrn, Sind jhr auch theils so zugethan, Dass sie sie selbs geiibet han. Drumb denn Friedrich der dritt ein weisr Gelehrter, hochloblicher Keisr Die Drucker Kunst privilegirt, Und dieselbig nobilitirt, Ziert sie mit gaben hoch un mildt, Zu flihren ofFen Helm un Schildt, Dass die Drucker im Romischn Reich Sich halten mochtn dem Adel gleich ; Ferner zu reden mir nicht wil Gebiiren, schweig jetzt davon still, Denn ich nicht der weitlauiftigkeit Gebrauchen wil zu dieser zeit, Sondern zeige nur an hiemit, Dass wir nach gewonheit und sitt Der Druckerey einen fiirstelln Wollen, uii machen zum Geselln, Welches, wie oben ist gedacht. In der Depositz wird verbracht Wo jemand wer allhie zur stett, Der ein Einredt wider jhn hett, Der bring es fiir, sey unbeschwert, Dass jhm zurecht geholffen werd, Hiemit beschliess ich meine Redt, Und ob etwan hie an der stedt, Etwas mocht hergehn un fiirfalln Das jemand missnel unter alln, Der woU nicht alsbald solchs derwegn Uns thun zum iibelsten auslegn. Den niemals unser meinung war Jemand zu reden zur gefahr, Sondern nur unsr Gerechtigkeit Zu erhalten zu jederzeit. Wollt derhalben grossgiinstiglich Dem Actu zusehn riihiglich Befehl uns samptlich eurer gunst, Verhoff jhr seid geneigt der Kunst. Drumb, bitt ich, seid ein wenig still, Bald sich der Act anheben will. Digitized by Microsoft® 104 APPENDIX. Der Depositor tritt ein, gehet erstlich stillschwdgends auff and nider spatzuren, dar- nach spricht er: Mich wundert sehr, warumb die Leut sich hieher han versamlet heut, und alles hie in diesem Hauss so sauber ist gekehret auss, Es lesset sich fast so ansehn, als solt was lustigs hie angehn. Ich muss her ruffen meinen knecht, Dass mich derselb berichte recht. (Er rufft dem Knecht ;) Kom her zu mir mein Mit Compan Hor zu was ich dir zeige an. Knecht. Ja, Ja Meister, nu kam ick, recht als ein gehorsam truwe Knecht. Wat will ghy mick nu seggen meer ? Will wy wor supen ein kann beer ? Depositor. Dir ists nur umbs saufifen zu thun. Aber du musts mir sagen nun, Warum die Leut allhie so gaflh ? Weist etwan hie ein newen Afih ? Denn alles hie ist angericht so fein, kan michs gnug wundern nicht. Knecht. Dat wet ick nich, wo ! dat leth smuck 1 Doch stincktet alswennrwor ein Buck hyr moste iipper naheit wesn, Pfy, he stincket dat eim mach gresn. Depositor. So geh bald hin auff unser Feld, Und sieh obs da sei recht bestellt. Ich wil dieweil mit meiner Hawn mich ein wenig allhie umschawn. Knecht. Ja, Ja Mestr, nu wilk strax hengahn Un sehn wo et dar mach toustahn. {Gehtab:\ Depositor ad Spectatores. Nun mag ich sehen ob mein Knecht die Sachen thu aussrichten recht : Er ist ein seltzam Grillenvogt. (Der Knecht hringt den Cor- nuten, so streichm die Sjdelr ■> leut auff.) Huy zu, was is dort fur ein J^ ! Was ist das fiir ein wunderthier das du jetzund herbringest mir ? Sag wo hastu diss thier gefangn ? Solchs zu wissen thut mich verlangn. Knecht. Als ick hen uppat Feld wold ghan, Leep mick dit eitzig Deerte an. Do namk ball myne swep un stakn, un kreech et by synem Kanthakn, Nu habb eck et getomet op mit dissem Toem by sjmem Kop. Pfuy dusent Kntol, wo stinckt de Teue ! Dat meek de Pawst de Sflnn vorgeue.- Dat ysst datter so selssen roeck, als wemm wat dahn hae in de Broeck. Depositor. Potz Velten, ich gern wissen wolt, was es doch fiir ein thier sein solt, Es deucht mich wie diss Wunderthier dem Teuffel sey fast ehnlich schier. Den es hat Homer lang un gross, Sieh wohl zu dass es niemand stoss. Knecht. Dat wert gewisse de Wulff syn, de us upfrith all Schaep und Swyn. Schuld he de stalen sflke habbn. Wo sftht he uth umm syne flabbn, un hafft ock Home up dem Kop. (SiUi, wo steistnu, du Dudendop !) Depositor. Weistu nicht wie diss Thier mag heissn ? Tritt weg, Es mocht dich schlagn odr [beissn. Knecht. An synen Hornen sfiht men wol, Datt et ein Comut wesen schul. Depositor. Ein Comut. Was ists fiir ein Thier ? Dergleichen kam mir niemals fiir. Was woUn wir denn damit anhebn ? Darzu mustu mir jetzt rath gebn : den mich deucht, ich sey zu der sach alleine gar zu schlecht und schwach. Digitized by Microsoft® APPENDIX. 105 Knecht. Ick weth wol wat wy willen makn, He haffi tu ne grote lange Kuakn. Un ys geschicket rechte wol tho einer Krflbb im Perdestall. De Kop schickt sick thor bossel fyn, De finger sch&ln de Kegel syn. Depositor. Lass sehn, wir wolln nu greiffen an das Thier und sehen was es kan : Mich deucht, es sey von Menschen art, Doch sind jhm die Bockshorner hart, Vielleicht ists der Waldgeister ein Die man fast also malet fein. Knecht. Wy motlin sehn efft he danssen kan. Wo em dat springent wert anstan, Ock shall he singen, speln un lesn, De geiste plegt sfiss wyss tho wesn. Depositor %um Cornuten. Wolan, so spring ein mal herufli. (Vie Spielleut streUhen auff. ) Knecht. Wo that steith ock noch lyent dum Ick seh, he will yuw nich wol folgn, De kop wert em noch syn vorbolgn. Ick moth em eins dartho upsingn Mit tnyner swep, he wert wol Hei, hei, hei, hei, so, so, so, so, springn. Hei Meister nu geith he beth tho. Depositor. Mich deucht wir habn getantzt genug zum ersten mal mit gutem fiig. Knecht. Meistr lath us nu besehn vordan efft dith Deerte mehr kflnste kan. He kun thodegen munter springn, Wenn he ock nu kun lesn un singn, Ick moth en erst eins recht begapn. He sflht schier uth als de halffpapn, Hafft lange Haar als use Hundt, de staht em lyent kunterbundt : Lath sein, nu less meek dissen breeff, du fiile stanckvat, schelm un deeff. CORNUTUS. Ich kan nicht lesn, Ich kan nit lesn. Knecht. Siih, dat machnk wol ein losshund wesn ! Less dit droch, hyr ys noch mehr. CORNUTUS. Ich kans nicht lesen, liss selber. Knecht. Harr, kanstu nu kuerv valsch sprekn ? Dar mach wol sflss wat inne stekn. Meek diinkt, he wert sick men so stelln. So plegn tho dohn sulcke Gselln. Siih less meek dith du Diiuel dum. Kanstu nich sprekn, bist echters stum. Cornutus legit. Ach wie bin ich ein loser schelm. Depositor. Das seh ich wol an deinem Helm. Knecht. Ick denck, du werst syn ein Compan, de wor wil up de Boelschaep gahn, Meister, nu lath us flytich jo Bo em averall soken tho, ' Efft he ock wor haffl falsche Breue, als de Vorreer de lose Deeue, De seggt ock wol, Ick kan nich lesn, Un plegt doch wol scrifftwyss tho wesn. Depositor. Ja wol, nimb du eine seit war. Die ander ich auch durchsich gar. Sie da, hie find ich ein Briefflein, Das ist zumal geschrieben fein. Was nu darin wird sein enthalten, Solln bald erfahren Jung uii Altn. Knecht. Harr, harr du lose B6sewicht, Sechstu noch, Ick kan lesen nicht. Ick habbk all myn dag nich seen. Harr, dar wilckek de haar v6r teen. Der Depositor list die Ueberschrifft des Brieffs, welche also lautet : Dem Erbam und Kunstreichen jungen Gesellen N. N. Meinem Hertzallerliebsten zu behendigen. Digitized by Microsoft® io6 APPENDIX. Knecht glbt jhm eine Maulschell, sprechend: Meister seht doch tho degen an dissen stinckenden Homeman : De leth sick n6mn einen Geselln, Un ys doch ein recht stinckend schelm. Depositor. Ey sih, Bistu der schone Gsell ? Knecht. Darvor willckek dicht teen dat fell. Depositor macht den Brieff auff, und list, wie folgt: MEinen freundlichen willigen Zu jederzeit gefliessenen, Von hertzengrund gewflnschten gruss, Von der scheitel bis aufFden fuss ; Wenns euch, mein Schatz, noch wol thet gehn, Mocht ichs hertrlich gern horn und sehn : Denn ich lieb euch in meinem Hertzu So sehr, dass ich kein stundt ohn Schmertzn Kan leben mehr in froligkeit, Es sey denn dass jhr bey mir seidt Ach wie wird mir die zeit so lang Und thut meim jungen Hertzen bang. Dass ich euch so lang nicht gesehn ; Weiss nicht wie solchs doch mog zugehn, Ob jhr etwan mein wolt vergessn, (Welchs ich euch doch nicht wil zu- messn) Und euch umb ein andre bewerbn, So miisst ich fur leid gewisslich sterbn ; Ihr wist ja wol, das jhr zu pfand Mir gabet eure rechte Hand, Als jhr das nechst mal bey mir wart, Und mir so druckt mein Briistlein zart, Ich geschweig was sonst mehr geschach Bei finstrer nacht, welchs man nicht sach. Nun kompt mir auch jetzund zu Ohm, Welchs ich mit unmuth muss onhorn, Das jhr euch woUt lahn deponirn, (Ich fiircht man werd euch sehr vexirn ;) Welchsmir zwar bringt grossen verdruss, Jedoch ich solchs zugeben muss. Ach niijcht ich doch jetzt bey euch sein, Mein Tausendschatz und Ergelein ! Wie wird meim heitzen doch so wol, Wenn ich nur von euch horen sol. Ihr seyds der mich erfreuen kan, Mein liebster hort so wonnesam, Ihr seids der wendet in Freud, All Unmuth und Triibseligkeit, Ilir seid mein tausendschbnes lieb, Darumb ich euch manchen Kuss gieb. WoUt ja freundlich gebeten seyn, Dass jhr bei leib euch hiitet fein, Damit jhr nicht kompt zu unfall, Und das so mich erfreuen sol, Etwan mocht stossen odr verliern. Wen man euch nu wird deponirn, Sondern euch mit mugUchem fleiss Ftirsehn nach bester art und weis. Wenns miiglich wer, ich lieber wolt. Das ichs fiir euch erleiden solt : Doch bitt ich, jhr woUt kommen bald Widrumb zu mir, 6 schone gstalt, Damit so mir wo mocht geschehn Wies in dem fall pflegt zu ergehn, Das jhr denn konnt gefattern bittn, Nach aller Volcker art und sittn, Ihr werdt euch hoff ich, halten wol Wie ein ehrlich gEsell thun sol, Ein ander mal schreib ich euch mehr, Dieweil behiite euch der Herr, Er spar euch auch frisch und gesundt, Geb euch viel guter Tag und stund. Dis schreibe ich in grosser eil, Verwundet durch der Liebe Pfeil. Eur Ungenandt, Doch, wol bekandt. Denn ; Aus furcht darf ich mich nicht nennen, Sonst mochten die Leute mich kennen. POST SCRIPTUM. Mein Tausendschatz und Engelein Hie send ich euch ein Ringelein, Mit bitt, woUt mein darbey gedenckn, Und euch zu keiner andern lenckn, Knecht verwunderl sich und ipricht: Y dusent suk, wo wunr ick mick ! Kamk doch schyr heel uth mynem Schick, Dat dacht ick wol in mynem sinn, Dat dar suss wat most sticken inn, Bistu de smucke Junffern Knecht ? So mot men dy begapen recht. Digitized by Microsoft® APPENDIX. 107 Ey, ey du smucke Engel fyn ! So plecht by us de Diivl to syn. Depositor fragt ihn : Sag an, wo bistu kommen her ? Darzu zu wissen ich begebr, Was du habest gelernst sunst, Und was da sey dein gwerb und kunst ? CORNUTUS. Ich hab gelernt Buchdtuckerey Die edle werte Kunst so frey. Knecht. Y sedst doch erst. Ick kan nicht lesn, Un wult nu ein Druck Esel wesn. So m8te dick doch dicht un degent Dat weer netten went dreck regent. Depositor. Die Drucker belt man weiss und kUig, So wirstu auch geschickt genug, Und in der Schrifft seyn wol erfahm, Drum must mir alssbald offenbarn Was ich dich jetzt allhie thu fragn, Uii mir darauif halt antwort sagn. Knecht. Wann suk, so warw jo alltho leert, Un schrifftwyss als us Karkhern Pert. {ffte mag man jhn fragn, Wie viel Hoar einem Pferd in Schwantz gewachsen, oder dergleichen.) Depositor. Nun miissen wir jhn weiter probirn, Vielleicht kan er auch musicirn. Knecht. Ey ja, dat machk so gerne horn : Wenn de Halffpapn so klapperem, So habben se ein veerkant Brett Damp stath streke als ein Nett, Ein hupen lange krumme hakn, Welcke sind schyr als de speit stakn. Ein hafft inr Hand ein langen stock, Darmit fleit He klap klap upt boeck. Nu fang eins an mit us tou singn, Lat us eins horn, wo wil et klingn ? {Sit singen :) Drey Ganss im Haberstroh, etc. Damach tpricht der Knecht : Dusent suk dat kan dapper klingen, Use Greit schuller fin na springn. Lat sein efFt ock de H6rneman Mit Tarl un karten spelen kan. Kum spel met us umm ein pott beer, Du eitzige stinckende Deer. Depositor. Du Knecht schlag nur geschwinde auss. (Knecht gibt dem Cornuten eine Maulschelli.') Depositor zum Cornuten: Nimbs weg, du stachests mit eim Dauss. (Cornut greiffi zu, so scUegtjhn der Knecht auff die Finger sprechend:) He winnt, ick 16u he mot falss speln. Depositor. Dasdiincktmichauch, es kan nicht fehln, Lass sehn, bring die wUrffel herfur, Damit wolhi wir spielen zu vier. Wirff auss, Knecht, eilends in der hast. (Knecht wirfft den Cornuten mit der bank umb, sprechend:) Kanstu nich sitten, du knadast Hej Meistr, he kan de Tarlen knippn. Depositor zum Knecht: Spiel, hernach woUn wir Pfennig wippn. Depositor zum Cornuten : Wirflf fort, so kommen wir davon. Nims hin, du wirsts gewonen hon. (Ergreifft zu, der Knecht schlegt jn auff die Finger, spricht /) Dat spelent haffstu leret wol. So mostu werden dull un vuU, Depositor. Weil du mit schalckheit thust umbgahn, Miissen wirs anders fahen an. Knecht bring bald her die Instrument, Damit ich mein Arbeit voUendt. Digitized by Microsoft® io8 APPENDIX. Du wirst dich auch wol also stelln, Wie ansteht eim fleissgen Geselln, Denn er ist gar ein grober Knoll, Und stecket aller schalckheit voU. Die Banck fein zu recht stellen thu, Dass wir die Krippe richten zu. Knecht. Ja Meistr, dat wilck mit flyt angan, Lat sein. Nu wewe fangen an. {Sie legmjhn auffdie Banck, ■werffen jhn damit umb. ) Depositor. Hau mit der Bindaxt vor hinweg Die grobsten Est, knoUen un zweck. Mit dem Schlichtbeil ich bald hernach Was hockricht ist voUends glat mach. Thu auch der Richtschnur nicht vergessn, Dass wir alles vor recht abmessn. Knecht. Hej, hyr mot men noch wat affsnydn Mit der sagen van beyen sydn, Gy seen mick vanr Bossel jo, De Kop schickt sick recht fin darto. Depositor. Thu mir geschwind den Circkel her ! Fass an, er ligt gar krumb un quer. Knecht wirfftjhn mit der Banck umb, und Bpricht : Suh dar, nu fallt de graue knuU Vanr bank, lyck als wer he full. Depositor. Nun wolln wir jn behobeln schnell. Denn er ist gar ein grober gEsell. Knecht. Ick moth yuw helpen theen den H&ul, Hej dat ismk jo ein recht gross Kneul. {Sr wirfft jhn umb.) Depositor, Mit dem schlichthobel ich jetzt wil Ihm noch abstossn der Spane vil. Knecht. Meister. De Bossel habb wy jo. Wor kricht me nu de Kegl darto ! Depositor. Die wolln wir auss den Fingem machn, Welche sich wol schicken zur sachn. Mit der Raspel man ohn verdruss, Ihm die Nagel aussputzen muss. (Sie befeilenjhm die Finger^ Knecht. Mick dunckt me mot hyr nedden noch Mitm groten bare bam ein loch, So willen wjn: ein Nagl inslan, Dar kamm wat sunnerks hengen an. Depositor. (*Ich meint, Ich wolt ein Loch hie born, So steigt herauss ein seltzam horn. Was ist diss fur ein hesslich Ast ? Dergleich ich nie gesehen fast. Knecht. *Wummen Clais, dat siit bjrster ut, Dat dinck steit meek schyr up de snut. Dat wertet denckek wesen wol Dat he so flytich waren schoU : SchuU he de Pleterye krygn. Pfu, dat dick jo de hunn bemygii. Depositor. *Gib mir den durchschlag her in eil Und auch ein Schlagel oder Bell, Damit man diesen groben knast Hinweg mbg hauen in der hast. Knecht. *Holt still, Meister, ick wil erst fragn, Efftet de Liie ock kont vordragn, Eddre efftet yemand bruken will ? Sii, nu swygen se alle still. Wo ! will dit nemand bruken meer ? Wo ist ? Schem gy juw nu so seer ? Depositor. *Ey Knecht, du must das beste nun Allhie bey diesem Aste thun, Er sitzt gewaltig fest und hart, Der Durchsclag krigt ein grosse schart, Knecht. Wann alien siick, nu mustu recht Mit dijem How heraflfer stecht. Y, y, wo wunnr ick mick so seer. Pfu dick an, datck de pl6nie ror.* Digitized by Microsoft® APPENDIX. 109 Depositor. Nun woU wir jn aufirichten widr, Er ist lang gnug gelegen nidr. Gib her, lass uns essen vom schinckn. So konnen wir dann eins draufF trinckn. Er wirds am besten wissen wol Wo er den Schinckn anschneiden sol, Weil er doch thut auff Bulschaft ghan. Cornut schneid du den schincken an. {fiomut greifft zu.) Knecht schlagljhn auff die Finger, ttnd spricht : Siih, gripstu thorn ersten int fat. So mot ickeck affwennen dat. Depositor. Jetzt woUn wir jhn wacker aussputzn, Die Welsche Kolb, und den Bart stutzn, Denn man muss jhn balbiren recht, Den sauberlichen Jungfemknecht. Knecht. Stain silk, wat, hafft he inner slabbn ! He mot jo b6se Teene habbn ! Depositor. Thu auff das Maul, was shadt dir dran? Vielleicht ich dir auch helffen kann. {Er thut den Mund auff) Schaut doch, wie ist derZahn so lang ! Knecht thu her eilend die Kneipzang. Knecht wundert sich, spricht : Y habbk doch all myn dag nich seen Ein soick schrecklike grote Teen, Meister, ick will juw helfen rytn, Wenn us de stanckbuck nich woll bytn. Depositor. Jelzt ist herauss der bose Zahn. Nu streich du jm den bart wol an, Dass man ja mog besehen fein Das wackere Jungfemknechtlein. Knecht. Ey leuen Lue seht doch an Dissen smucken Junffern Compan ? Seggt mick doch nu, gy Junffern zart, Steit em nich smuck de kneuelbart ? Depositor _^^ an zu balbirn und spricht : Nun fah ich zu balbiren an, Wir werden gut Trinckgeldt empfahn, Gib mir bald das Schermesser her, Und du selbs branch mit fleiss die Scher. Knecht reiii und kemmetjhm die Hoar, sprechend : Mick dunkt in mynem sinne jo, Dat de Haar syn so hart als stro. Ick mot sem erst raitm warmen doeck Hubs ryuen un upkemmen ock Dama mot mem wasschen den kop Un maken em ein langen Top. De Teen motck em ock stakern fyn. Un makn em rein de Ohren syn. Depositor. Lass nun anstahn das putzen drat, Er mocht sonst werden gar zu glat, Und uns andern die laug abstechn, Wie man im Sprichwort pflegt zu Knecht. sprechn. De Haar motck em erst puffen wol, (}Cnecht setztjhm den Hut wieder auff, undsteckt jm die Ringe.an .') Dama he sick ock spegeln schol. We em anstha de smucke zier Up dys kuderwalsch Manier. Un kloppn em an de Ringelyn De em hafft sendt de Leeffste syn, To lest will wym de Pritzsche singn, Lat h6ren wo us dat will klingn. Depositor. (*Nun, so fahn wir zu singen an : WoUn jhm zur letzt die Pritzsche schlan, Und solchs verrichten fieissiglich, Wie solches denn geburet sich, DraufF man wie billig sey bedacht, Damit die Endschafil werd gemacht. (Nach gelegenheit mag manjm jetzt die Pritsch schlagen, so es der Gesellschaft gefdllig. ) Knecht. Haffst nu eins kregen dyn lohn ? Harr wultu et ock noch meer dohn? Cornut. Nein, hiemit wil ichs loben an, Und halten solchs auffs best ich kan. Digitized by Microsoft® no APPENDIX. Depositor. Sag an, Was ist dann dein beget ? Corn. Gern ich ein ehrlich Gselle wer. Knecht. Dartho bistu geschickt so fyn, Alse thorn dansse ein mestet swyn. Depositor schldgtjhm mit dem Beil den Hut ab, und spricht ;) Da leit dein sclielmisch zier un kron. Wiltus nicht widr auffsetzen thun ? Knecht selztjkm den Hut ■wiedr auff, sprechend: Wo wult nich wadder setten op Den smucken Hodt up dynen kbp ? Depositor schldgtjhm den Hut ah, spricht : Nu hast dein Recht fast aussgestan, Welchs ich dir hiemit zeige an, Doch taustu vor anloben mir, Und schweren wie ich fiirhalt dir, Dass du nimer an einigm Ort Was dir geschehn, woUst rechen fort. Zween finger auff die Pritzsch thu legn, Und lass dirs gar nit seyn entgegn. Depositor spricht jhm vor., und erjhm nach wiefolgt : Hier seh-wer ich :/: Mein Geld verzehr ieh :/: Im Wirtshauss :/: etc. Depositor gibtjhm eine Maul- schell, und spricht: Leid diss von mir und keinem sunst, So lieb dir ist Ehr, ICunst un gunst, Und wer gleich noch so stoltz der Man, Das wil ich dir befohlen han. Nu beicht dem Pfaffen dein unthat Der wird dich absolviren drat, Und geben dir viel guter Lehr : Hab nichts mit dir zu schaffen mehr. Knecht. Nu will ick ropen use Papn, Dat se en ock eins sch61n begapn. Wy habben dat use gedahn. De Pap schalt syn erst heuen an. Depositor rufft auss : Wer jemand mehr allhie zur stett, Der solchs balbierens notig hett, Der koni bald und leg sich hieher, Dass wir jhn putzn nach seim begehr, Wir woUens jhm machen so gut, Dass ers viel liebr entbehren thut. Gehen beyd ab. Die Paten tretten zu, und wincken dem Pfaffen, der kompt und spricht : GUnstige gute liebe Freund, So viel eur hie zusamen seynd. Ich wiinsch euch alien gliick und segn, WoUt mich berichten jetzt weswegen Ihr mich beruffen habt hieher ? Sagt an, was ist euer beschwer ? Die Paten sprechen : Lieber Priester, wir thun euch bittn Das ihr nach der Kunst brauch und sittn Wollt absolvirn diesen Compan, Weil er sein Recht aussgestahn, Uii jn alssbald drauff tauffen fein, Wie solchs thut ein gewonheit sein, Hernach jhn unterrichten wol, Wje er hinfort sich halten sol. Del' Pfaff ant7vortet: Er muss zuvor allhie zur stundt Seine Gebrechen mir thun kundt, Wan ich die beicht nun hab gehort Wil ich jhn absolviren fort. Kt heichtet, wie /algi : NUn so hort lieber Priester mein, Jetzt wil ich euch erzehlen fein, Was ich zuvor gefangen an, Und womit ich stets thet umbgan, Drumb ich must tragen diese zier. Die man wol hat gesehn allhier. Erstlich hab ich fast keinem Man, Die zeit meins Lebens gut gethan. Desgleichen war auch stetiglich Den Leuten gantz zuwidem ich. Wo ich ein Unfug kundt anrichtn, Schlieff ich dariiber gar raitnichtn. Digitized by Microsoft® APPENDIX. Ill War genlschig, tbipisch und faul, Und hat ein ungezognes Maul. Wie ich nun ward der Lehrjar los, Daucht ich mich seyn ein Meister gros, Vermeint, ich wer all ein der Man, Dem all seine Sach wol stiind an. Gieng tapffer auff die LofTeley, Gedacht, es wer mir alias frey. Wie solches kftrtzlich klar un rund Aus meinem BriefF ist worde kund. Hat meine heimliche Katzensteg, Uii gieng jmerfort den holtzweg, Lies mir insonderheit fiir alln In meinem sinn gar wol gefalln. So man mich einen Herren nandt, Fur Hoffart ich mich selbst kaum kandt, Dacht nicht, es wer Vexirerey, ' Dass mich die Leut afften so frey, Verthet mein gelt fast unnfttzlich An Ortn da es nicht ziemet sich, Achtet gar keiner ehr noch zucht, Sondern lebt hin heillos, verrucht ; Davon mir denn wuchsen zuhand Die Horner so man an mir fandt. Nun hab ich einen Meister ftindn, Der mich der Homer hat entbundn Und mich macht zum ehrlichen Geselln : Forthin wil ich mich also stelln, Das man solch nicht mehr hor von mir, Welchs ich euch thu anloben hir. Der Pfaff antviortet: ICh hab jetzund verstanden fast, Dass du dein Recht erlitten hast, Und dich hast lahn examinirn, Folgends hernach auch deponirn, Un bin, so bald ich solchs vernomn, Auff dein begeren zu dir kommn, Hab auch dein Beicht gehoret an, Und thu gantzlich darauss verstahn, Dass du mit Schalckheit bist umbgangn, Un drinen gantzlich warst gefangn, Dass du von wegen solcher Thatn, Mochst in gross Ungluck seyn gerathn : Aber jetzt durch rath guter Freundt, Die es treulich mit dir gemeynt, Darauss nun bist errettet wordn, Und angelobt ein andern Ordn ; So wil ich dich jetzt absolvirn, Und in deim Orden confirmirn, Auch dich raiterrichten mit mehr Guten Spriichen und schoner Lehr. Erstlich, so sollu mercken das, Damit man dich ehr desto bas, Dass du alsbald denselben Herrn, Dabey du arbeitst, thust beschwern, Dass er dir thu aussnehmen bald, Kostliche Kleider, schoner gstalt : Und so du die dan hast empfangn, Ueber alle mass damit thun prangn. Niemand so gut achten als dich, Jeden verachten gar spoltlich, Der nicht so ist geputzt als du, Nicht achten, dass dirs nicht steh zu, Sondern jeden hinter seim Riickn, Die Federn frey honisch abpfluckn. All Gastrey und Pancket besuchn, Bey frembden Leutn stets schnarchen, puchn, Dich riimen kunst un weissheit frey Da es dochist lauter Narrey, Und pralen hoch auff gelt und gut, Ob es gleich ist eitel Armut. Auch iiben WiirSl un Kartenspiel, Liegen und triegn ohn mass un ziel. Der verkehrten Tischzucht du dich, Befleissign woUest stetiglich. *Wan du wo wirst zu gast gebetn, So soltu alssbald dahin tretn, Und dich gschwind setzen oben an, Solchs wird auff benglish dir anstahn. So man deii tragt die speiss zu tisch, Zum ersten in die Schiissel wdsch, Mit ungewaschner Hand unrein Und friss das beste gar allein. Sauff daii aus kriig uii glaser voU, So wirstu bald narrisch und toll. Das Wort im glach sey dein allein, Lass dir von niemand reden ein : So jemand sonst was reden thut, Heiss jhn liegen auss frevelm Mut, Wil denn dasselbig helfen nicht, Schilt, schmeh un schlag jhn ins ge- sicht. So wird dir endlich solcher danck, Dass du dran denckst dein lebenlang. Sind wo geladn Jungfraun und Fraun, So soltu dich fleissig umbschaun, Un dich alssbald zutappisch machn, Thut dich etwan jhr ein anlachn, Mustu du dir gantzlich bilden ein, Dass du werdest der Liebste seyn, In summa, Aller Tolpeley Befleissig dich mutwillig frey." Digitized by Microsoft® APPENDIX. Nimb auch mehr auff, als du verdienst, So hastu gewiss kleinen gewinst. Wans hemach an ein zamen geht, Das Thor dir sperrweit offen steht. Was du zu Abends kanst versorgn Mit sauSh un spieln, spar nicht bis morgn. Hat wo der Herr ein schone Magd, Frau Oder Tochtr so dir behagt, So mach dich listiglich daran, Dass dir ward giinstig jederman. Mach uneinigkeit, und verhetz Printz und Fraun mit deinem Geschwetz, Und SO was reden die Geselln, So soltu as also anstelln, Dass der Printz von dir alls erfahr Was ein Gsell redt hie oder dar. Sprich diss und das hat der geredt, Obs gleich nicht war ist an der stet. Bring femer mit plaudrey zuhauff Die Bursch, dass sie sich schlag und raufi, Zum feyren willig say bereit, Und reitr andre von der Arbeit. Wan auch ein Gsell in arbeit staht, Davon er nutz zu hoffeu hat, So thu jhn listiglich ausshebn, Solchs wird dir Rhum und Ehre gebn, Wird dir dann etwas furgehaltn, So schilt, Echmeh, schlag beyd Jung und Altn, Solches wird dich befordern sehr, Dass dich dein beutel nicht beschwer. Befleiss dich auch ohn alle scheu Der Hudley un Fuchsschwantzerey. Trifft wo gute Besoldung an, So sprich, Man konns wol naher han. All gute Brauch thu bringen ab, Dass man dir dess zu dancken hab. Beheng ich dan hemach gaschwind Mit allarley Lumpengesind, Dadurch erlangst gross lob ufi preiss Wie das jederman gar wol waiss. In kaine Kirch bei leib auch kumb, Sondem leb hin wild, frech und thumb. Dam Rechten darfst nit stehen bey, Dein stim baym grosten Hauffen sey. Viel zusag, und thu wenig haltn, So wirst gelobt von Jung un Altn. Mach iiberall schuld wo du magst, Hut dich auch, damit du nicht tragst Wenn du solt wandern, Kleider viel, Sondarn verhur, versaufF, varspiel Alias was du hast umb und an. So kanstu desto bass fortgahn : Dann : Alls verthan fiir saiuem Endt, Das macht ein richtigs Testament : Kompstu dann etwa an em Ort : So zeugstu auff nach dem Sprichwort : Dass die Haar gehen durch den Hut, Kein Erml dein Wammes haben thut, Die Hosan auch in gleichem fall Zerrissen seyen ubarall, Die StriimpfF uber die Fiisse hangn. Die Zeh zun Schuhen herauss prangn, Un an dansalben sein kein sohln. Das lass dir se3Ti emstlich bafohln. Zur letzt die Lehr dir geben wil : Du must verstehn das Widerspiel. Der Pfaff zu den Paten : Ihr guten Freund sagt an zuhandt, Wie sol das Kindt werden genandt ? (Locus Nominis.) {Der Pfaff geusst jhm ein Glass Wassers auff den Kopff, und spricht:) So tauff ich dich im Namen hie Veneris, Cereris. Bachi, Per pocula poculorum. Nun ist es fast consumatum, {Der so das Becken helt geust jm das ubrig auff den Kopff, spricht:) Der Pfafif hat noch vergessen was, Ich muss jhn tauffen desto bass. (Hie wird jhm das Patengeldt zuge- stellt, und von der anwesenden sdmptliche)i Gesellschafft Gliick gewiinscht, und spricht der Epi- logus zu den Zusehern ;) Ihr Harm und Freund nempt so fiir gut, Der Actus ein End haban thut. Digitized by Microsoft® APPENDIX. "3 Besehluss. A Chtbar, Ehmvest ■'^ Herrn Freund und Gest, Jungftawn, dessgleich Frawn tugendreich, WoUt was geschehn Auffs best verstehn. Es ist zwar nicht Darauff geiicht, Dass wir hie wolla Comoedi spieln : Sondem wie gesagt, Die wpl betagt Gerechtigkeit Und Gewonheit Gestellt von Altn Hiemit erhalten, Der Edlen ICunst Zu ehr und gunst, Welch, wie man list, Ein Mutter ist Und Conservatrix Auch Fropagatrix Der Freyen Kiinst, Den sie viel dienst Prsestirt und leist, Wie solchs beweist Der Augenschein Klarlich und fein, Drumb dann jhr Lob Billich schwebt ob. Dem Scopffer weiss Say Lob und Preiss, Zu aller zeit In ewigkeit, Der die schbn Gab Von oben rab Dem Menschen bschert, Ihn mit verehrt : S Der Keyser frey Lobens werth sey, Der diese Gabn So hoch erhabn, Ihr war geneigt, Und guts erzeigt, Bewiess viel gunst Der Edlen Kunst. Gott geb allzeit Gedeyligkeit, Dass die Kunst bliih Beyd spat und friih Auff dass mit macht An tag werd bracht Durch sie sein Wort An allem Ort, Darauss entspriesse, Und stets herfliesse Gott ehr, uns nutz, wUnscht PAUL DE VISE. * ^ ^ Gedruckt im Jahr nach Erfindung der Buchdruckerey CLXXXI. Digitized by Microsoft® INDEX. . , , , , . Page Aldus Manutius, a Printer ... 4 Altdorf University j8 Apprentices, number restricted ... 5 Do. registration of ... 6 Asses, feast of 64 Axe used by Depositor 39 Bacchants at the Universities ...57, 60 Baptism, Antiquity of 69 Baptism of Cornute 13) S3 Bastards ineligible for Apprentices 7 Beans at the Universities ... 57 Beard -biting of the Locksmiths... 64 Berlin Royal Library 82 Bibliography 75 Books, destruction of 75 Boy-bishop, festival of 64 Brauer, Christian 72 Brimmer, G 9') 93 Bruno, Jacob 60 Bulaeus, C ., in landem Typographise 98 Cap of Cornute 39 Carpenters, ceremonies of ... 64 Carnatic nations, baptism among 69 Caxton, W 96 Chapel, the Compositors' ... 92 Christening of Cornute 13 Clessen, W. J. J 82 Compasses used by Depositor ... 40 Confession of Cornute 49 Coopers, ceremonies of the ... 63 Cornelius, A 74i 88 Cornute, cap and horns of ... 39 confession of I3i49 dress of. 9 love letter to 33 oath of 46 qualities of 7 Dantzig 82 Depositio at the Universities ... 57 coarseness of 73 cost of 7 decline of ... ... 72 Dolch's account of ... 60 in England 91,95 importance of 4 of German Printers ... 7 borrowed from the Uni- versities 70 Page Depositio developed from Gild customs 7' origin and decline ... 69 symbolical meaning of 69 tools used at ... 12, 39 to 42 various printed editions 76 Depositor, dress of 9 De Vise, Paul 8, 73, 77, 82 Dinckell, J ... 58 Dolch, Oskar 60 DruUmann, J. G 78,84 Emesti, J. H. G. 83,87 Eleusinian mysteries 69 Elzeviers, learned Printers ... 4 Faulmann, Carl 89 Feast of Asses 64 Format-Bilcher 3, 75, 85 Foxes, baptism of the 62 Foxes, or Freshmen 57 Frederick I XL, patron of Printing 25 Froben, J. , a learned Printer ... 4 Furstenau, Phil. Caesar von ... 82 Gent, Thos., Printer of York ... 94 Gessner 87,89 prose version of Depositio 74 Gild Ceremonies on the issue of an Apprentice 63 Goatsapron, the 67 Goedeke 84 Gottschied 84 Gough, H 93 Grobianus 16 Ham used by Depositor ...41,43 Hamburg, Town Council of ... 72 Hamburg Town Library •••83, 85 Hammerling 18 Address of J.JRist to 20 Harpeter Printing-office 73 Hase, Kail 65 Hatchet use by Depositor ... 42 Heathen Ceremonies retained by the Christians 70 Heidelberg 26 Holsten, J. 79.8s Hovdtt, W 58 Indians, baptism among 69 Digitized by Microsoft® INDEX. Page Inns of Court, mock ceremonies at 6S Jews, baptism among 69 Konigsberg, history of University 58 Kraussen Printing-office 73 Leipzig, Town Council of ... 72 Locksmiths, ceremonies of ... 64 Lorck, C. B 90 Machine-minders, their customs . 97 Master-printers, their adherence toUnionlaws S Mat of Cappadocia ... ... 33 Mears, Mr. 94 Minerva as Typographia 54 Miracle-Plays 65 Moxon, J • 94,97 Music sung at Depositio 10 Neubiirger, H 89 Noah, a cooper 68 Noskio, H. L 73 Owlglass 17,22 Parsees, baptism among 69 Parson, the, confession to ... 48 Passe, C, Engraving of 56, 58 Peter, St 65 Finneberg, Mecklenburg ... 15 Planing of the Carpenters ... 64 Plantin, C. , a learned Printer ... 4 Postulate, fees of 6, 7 Prayer for Printers 3 Press, degradation of the ... 2 liberty of the 2 Printers, daily prayer for ... 3 status of 2 Trade Gild of ... ... 5 their knowledge of vari- ous languages ... 4 Printing-press, progress of ... i Printing Tercentenary 4,72 Questions, comical 35 Redinger, Jacob 85 Rist, John ... 8, 12, 15, 78, 80, 82 to 88 biography of 15 address to Printers ... 16 Rist, John, version of Depositio play Rollingen, John Page 19 73 65 17,22 41 64, 70 72 79,8s 72 82 58 64 36 36 13.53 79,8s 15 Sachs, Hans, dramas of Sausewindt, Monsieur Saw used by Depositor Schade, Oscar Schindicht, John Schmatzen, D. M. Schmidt, Carl F.. Schottgen, Christian Sehme, M. Sens, Archbishop of Song, "Live and Soar" "Three Geese" Sponsors for the Cornute Sulzbach, Bavaria Swan on the Elbe, Order of the Star Chamber, decrees concerning Printers, &c 9S Stationers' Company, and their powers 95 Stephens, H., a learned Printer... 4 Stem Printing-office ... 12, 15, 83 Strassburg, Town Library of ... 87 Struck, Samuel 80, 89 Students, age of, at matriculation 57 Taubel, version of Depositio ...74, 88 Timperiey, C. H. 96 Tools used by Depositor... 39 to 42 Town Band at Depositio ... 9 Trade Unions, laws of S Trade Gilds 71 Twyn, John, Printer, executed ... 96 Tyl Eulenspiegel 17 Type-founders in England ... 95 University Depositio 57 Urian 9 Venus, Ceres and Bacchus ... 53 Victor, J. L 85 Vise, j^ De Vise Water, symbolism of 69 Weber, W., Depositio of ... 59 Weimar, Grossh, Bibliothek ... 84 Werther, J. D 89 Wetting of the Coopers 66 Zipffel, J 73 Digitized by Microsoft® Works by same Author, on Sale. THE BIOGRAPHY AND TYPOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM CAXTON, England's First Printer. Plates. Second Edition. 8vo. 1882. (Triibner & Co., Ludgate Hill.) 5J. NUMISMATA TYPOGRAPHICA ; or, THE MEDALLIC HISTORY OF PRINTING, being an Account of Medals, Jettons, and Tokens Strack in Commemoration of Printers or the Art of Printing. Numerous Plates. 4to. 1883. (/VjKferj' VP^jfjV/ir Office, 33A, Ludgate Hill.) ^s.6d. Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft®