THE BLACK FOREST.
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in whieh the farm-houses aro constructed, presents raany peculiarities, if not to say, odditics to tlic English beliolder who is accustomcd to the sight of the neat blick cottages of bis bome island. Tlicy are entirely built of wood, tbe nails cven witli whieh tlic logs arc fastened together, are wooden ones. The vveather-side is geuerally protected by a covering of wooden tiles. The roof, thatched, or covered with shingles ( Schindeln ), is projecting over galleries whieh extend alöng tbe wliole front of tbe liouse. At the back of it the roof slopes down to the ground, forming a bridge, across whieh the corn is carried into tbe granary tliat always occupies tlic top of tbe liouse. Below tliis is the stable. The greater portion of the liouse is taken up by the prin- cipal room; it is ligbted by one continuous line of Windows, and panelled witli boards eoloured black by the smoke of the pinc-splinters whieh in the Black Forest supply the place of candles or lamps. The ceiling is low, and an enormous Stove, constructed of glazed tiles, round whieh wooden forms are placed, occupies a considerable part of the room. The brunnen in front of every house in Summer is serving as a dairy. Close to many liouses you be- hold small chapels, provided with little bells, wliich every morning and evening toll to prayer. Formerly tliese freehold farms could not be divided, but went in tail eitlier to the oldest son or to the youngest, as the custom happened to be in the different parishes. The otlicr children were put off with a small sum; and one therefore could offen see the sons of wealthy peasants serving as farm-labourers, or endeavouring to make a fortune by trade. At present the divisibility of the farms is enforced by law, and tliey are parcclled out almost evcrywliere, unless all the lieirs agree to pursue a different course.
The population of the Black Forest is a vigourous,
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