Bremen from a bird’s eye view in the middle of the 19th century, copper engraving by Adolph Eltzner. (Adolph Eltzner / State Office for Monument Preservation)
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Theft, accidents and curiosities from the Hanseatic city were the subject of the “Local Incidents” section of the “Bremischer Unterhaltungsblatt” in the middle of the 19th century. Michael Augustin chose the years 1844-1846 for the book “Hiesige Vorfalls. Curiosities from the Bremen Biedermeier ”took a closer look. During these years Friedrich Wagenfeld edited the paper – the Bremen author has become known as a forger of an ancient manuscript and at the same time the author of the now famous collection of Bremen folk tales.
The rubric consisted of local police reports – aptly and entertainingly summarized. Editor Augustin writes that hardly any of the contemporary editors could compete with the “stylish, gifted, pointed and thoroughly washed young Friedrich Wagenfeld”. After all, he could “give even the dodest police report a juice and power injection”.
Indeed, the tone and tempo of the short messages are very entertaining. The language of the “Local Incidents” column is old-fashioned, but the individual short articles are still amusing and fun. Wagenfeld knew how to observe and how to formulate succinctly. The spelling takes a little getting used to. Augustin edited the reports only slightly and so the “th”, which has meanwhile disappeared in many words, is omnipresent. The old spelling and out-of-fashion words such as “Trottoire” or “Help” do not disturb the flow of reading – on the contrary, they create authenticity and proximity to Bremen more than 170 years ago.
Cover of the book (Temmen Edition)
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Not lost in topicality
It may be surprising how topical some topics are today. The missing bridges over the Weser, the expansion of the traffic routes within Bremen and which stalls will sell their goods on the Freimarkt are discussed in several articles. Speeders in the Bremen district were already a problem in the 19th century: “On Tuesday afternoon, six carters and their six different teams were chasing in the Steinthor area. A child playing there could not get out of the way of the nonsensical hustle and bustle so quickly, it got under one of the wagons and suffered considerable damage. “
The relationship between some of Bremen’s districts has also persisted over the centuries. In 1844 it was said about the Neustadt: “The old towner regards the route over the two bridges as a journey, yes, many are only driven there by the most necessary business.” The author complains that inns and restaurants are missing in the Neustadt, as is the cab system was only operated “very lukewarm”. Even the night watchmen have little left for the district: “[…] Only very rarely do you hear the lovely croaking of their snarling during the night. “
The “local incidents” also describe stories that would be unthinkable today. According to a report, the residents of the Blockland can only get into the city over the ice in winter. The danger of breaking in is omnipresent. Another report reports that an unmarried couple spends the night together and is sentenced to prison.
Worry about cabbage and pee
Kohl and Pinkel, on the other hand, have become an integral part of Bremen as early as 1846. A “friend of brown cabbage and peeing” worried about the harvest, which was threatened by voracious caterpillars: “No cabbage with peeing this winter, terrible! It tastes so good. “
The little book also contains advertisements and letters to the editor – the people of Bremen were concerned with living together in the city then as now. It is discussed how rubbish should be disposed of correctly and when is the right time for parties. Unsolicited advances were not welcome in 1845 either. An Emilie finally wanted to be left in peace and wrote in the rubric to a Mr. S. “Stop now with your love letters.” The man has already written her 100 times, but she is still not interested in the letters “I still haven’t touched my heart.” She doesn’t want his presents either: “The precious ribbon adorned with tinsel that you adored me for Christmas is ready to be taken back. You couldn’t have displayed a more horrible taste. “
Parents even had homeschooling in 1845. One parent reported the challenges of employing and teaching their four school-age children in four weeks of vacation. “Soon one thing comes to him, now the other and demands information on how to solve this problem or to carry out the essay that the teacher has given them for the holiday season.”
“Local incidents” offers a small glimpse into Bremen around 1845 and creates an entertaining contribution to everyday history without being a history book. The contributions stand and speak for themselves – Augustine does not place them in a historical context. Nevertheless, the reader gains an impression of the customs, morals and interests. The contemporary illustrations complement the reports in a charming way.
Further information
Local incidents. Curiosities from the Bremen Biedermeier period. Edition Temmen, ISBN: 978-3-8378-7058-9. The book is available at www.weser-kurier.de/shop and by phone at 0421/36716616. 112 pages, 9.90 euros.
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