place. It was the hay-harvest which occasioned all this merriment.
[Author's Note: It is true that serfdom is abolished, but the
peasant is still not quite free; neither can he be so. For his
house and land he must pay a tribute, and this consists in labor.
His own work must give way to that of his lord. His wagon, which he
has had prepared to bring home his own harvest, must, if such be
commanded, go to the nobleman's land, and there render service.
This is, therefore, a kind of tax which he pays, and for the
faithful payment of which he is rewarded by a harvest and mowing-feast;
at the latter he receives a certain quantity of brandy, and as much
ale as he can drink. The dance generally takes place in the middle
of the court-yard, and the dancers themselves must pay their musicians.]

During three afternoons in succession, in the inner court and under
free heaven, should a ball be held. Along the walls, rough planks,
laid upon logs of wood, formed a row of benches. At both ends of
the court lay two barrels of the newly brewed ale, which had
received more malt than usual, and which, besides, through the
silver skilling, and the magic dance of the maidens round the tub,
had acquired extraordinary strength. A large wooden tankard,
containing several measures of brandy, stood upon a table; the man
who watched the bleaching-ground was placed as a kind of butler to
preside at this sideboard. A bread-woman, with new white bread from
Nyborg upon her barrow, wheeled into the court, and there
established her stall for every one; for it was only liquors the
guests received gratis.

The guests now entered the court by pairs; the men, part in
jackets, part in long coats which hung down to their ankles. Out of
the waistcoat-pocket protruded a little nosegay of sweet-williams