3-074-549 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches of Peasant Life in Hungary, 1883. 'Hungarian shepherd with his flock; 2. Water-mills on the Danube; 3. Fishing in a creek; 4. Driving oxen; 5. Horses treading out corn; 6. Buying water-melons...[A shepherd], attended by his dog, with his ample sheepskin mantle put on for summer wear, is...standing amidst the fleecy flock...curious floating water-mills for grinding corn...are frequently met with on the Danube...They are formed by connecting two barges with an intervening water-wheel to be set in motion by the powerful stream...In a creek of the river...we discern a family of poor fishermen plying their nets in quest of carp or pike...a man seated in front of a miserable tent...prepares a fish for his own food and that of his boy, while awaiting the time to raise his net...which...is suspended...projecting over the water...Immense herds of oxen...are driven long distances across the plains...the driver being armed with a long whip...and assisted by his dog. The oxen are white, of large size, and with very long horns...the ancient practice of treading out corn by horses' feet...still prevails in some districts of the country...a German from Swabia...appears to be purchasing water-melons for his retail trade'. From "Illustrated London News", 1883.