vereigns, but the land
was generally managed by a steward. There was seldom a good
understanding betwixt the lord and the administrator of his property,
whose trustworthiness did not then stand in high repute; placed between
the proprietor and the villein, the steward endeavoured to gain from
both; he took money from the countrymen, and remitted their farm
service, and, in the sale of the produce, took as much care of himself
as of his master.[25]

The country nobleman was glad to spend the winter months in the
capital of his district; in summer the fashionable amusement was to
visit the baths. There the family displayed all the splendour in
their power. Much regard was paid to horses and fine carriages: the
nobleman liked to use his privilege of driving four-in-hand, and there
were always running footmen, who went in front of the horses, in
theatrical-coloured clothes, with a large whip thrown over their
shoulders, and they wore shoes and white stockings. At evening parties,
or after the theatre, a long row of splendid carriages--many with
outriders--were to be seen in the streets, and respectfully did the man
of low degree look upon the splendour of the lords. They showed their
rank also in their dress, by rich embroidery, and white plumes round
their hats; at the masquerade they had a special preference for the
rose-coloured domino, which Frederic II. had declared to be a privilege
of the nobility. Many of the richer ones kept chaplains, small concerts
were frequent; and at their country seats, early on the Sunday morning,
there was a serenade under the windows, as a morning greeting to the
lady of the house. Play was a fatal amusement, especially at the baths;
there the German landed proprietors met together, and played chiefly
with Poles, who were the greatest gamblers in Europe. Thus it often
happened to the German gentlemen, that they lost their carriages and
horses at play, and had to travel home, involved in debt, in hired
carriages. Such mischances were borne with great composure, and
speedily forgotten. In point of faith the greater part of the country
nobility were orthodox, as were most of the village pastors; but more
liberal minds clung to the French philosophy. Still did Paris continue
to issue its puppets and pictures of fashions, hats, ribbons, and
dresses throughout Germany; but even in the modes a great change was
gradually beginning: hoops and hair cushions were no longer worn by
ladies of _ton_, e