412

DOMESTIC MANNEIiS OF THE PEUSSIANS.

itself throughout every form of society. We have alreadyspoken of the hatred, or, at least, the contempt whicli themembers of the different churcb.es bear towards one another,and how each is but too glad to give circulation to any talethat tends to detract frorn the reputation of the opposite sect;and we have now to add to the list of sectarian virtues, thatevery member of society in Prussia acts, as it were, as areligious spy upon the conduct and speech of his associates.This is more especially the case with the Papists; because,owing to the System of confession, the priest's ear can be madethe secret receptacle of all the religious gossip and slanderthroughout the town. Again, by such means the Catholicshepherds are enabled to learn who are their true sheep, as wellas who are the hungry wolves among the flock who will havemeat even on the Friday; so that there is hardly a Romistin all Prussia who does not live in positive dread, not only ofbeing maligned by the Protestants, but of being reported tohis priest, either as a Friday meat-eater or as a backslider ofsome kind or other.

" Lieber Gott, Frau Fresser ! " cries a " prayer-sister," asshe pokes her head in at the door and begins sniffing, whileshe steals towards the kitchen; " I suppose you are ill, mydear, as I smell meat, and it is Friday."

Accordingly, the next time the "prayer-sister" visits theconfessional, she takes care to include among her sins thegreat temptation she underwent at Herr Fresser's, whosefamily was going to have meat on a fast-day.

But not only are the prayer-sisters thus used as Papalpolice, but the Catholic servants of every household act asthe same kind of spies upon the master and his friends.

" I think, madame, there will be enough meat for supper,"said our maid, (for dining at midday makes an early supperequivalent to a late dinner,) " even though the Herr Doctor