Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 09.djvu/401

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GUILD. 353 GUILDFORD. way, as did also the cleru^j- and the State. It con- tinued, however, to thrive. In 17U1 it was for- mally pro.scribed by the Revolutionary Govern- ment ; Ijut it was beyond the reaeh of the police power. During the nineteenth century, however, its significance dwindled away. Only vestiges of it remain at present. Decline of the Guilds. The guilds were strictly local institutions, working for a local market, and their niumiiioly was a local monop- oly. The commercial ]irugress which followed the era of discovery reacted upon the industrial or- ganiztition. It oftered a wider market than had heretofore been known, and encouraged production upon a large scale, to which the guild system was inherently antagonistic. It was necessary that cither tlie guilds should abandon their p<dicy of e.xclusiveness and restriction, or that industry should be transferred to new centres, where guild regulations had no force. In England these things occurred. In some of the older towns great inroads were made in the industrial privileges of the organized masters. Where custom and tradi- tion stubbornly resisted such innovations, towns gradually sank in importance. On the other hand, in the north of England, even before the utilization of coal in modern production, new towns and industrial centres arose where the guilds had no sway. On the Continent of Europe the system lost its vigor in the latter half of the eighteenth and first half of the nineteenth cen- tury, owing to the general development of modern industry. GfiLDS. Musical. With the decline of the troubadours and the passing of music from the aristocratic minnesingers to the civic meistcr- singers, a corresponding change took place in the attitude of the general public toward musicians. Instead of being feted and praised they were now looked upon as mere hirelings, whose morals were doubtful, and wlio deserved little consideration and no civil privileges. In self-defense, therefore, the minstrels, jongleurs, and itinerant musicians banded themselves together into guilds. These organizations, which diflfered little from the com- mercial guilds, were recognized by the King or by the local authorities, and the members ad- mitted to certain privileges within the territory governed by their guild. Although the guilds of different countries had certain distinguishing features, the general plan was the same, the authority being vested in a king or warden, and a board of control, who arbitrated any disputes between the members. The first musical guild of which we have record was the 'Xiknlaibriider- schaft.' which was organized in 12SS. Soon after the musicians of Strassburg founded the "Bruder- schaft der Kronen.' and about the same time the famous "Confreries de Saint .Tulien des ^lene- triers' came into prominence in Paris. This lat- ter guild acquired wide influence, even requiring all nuisic-teachers and organists to belong to it, and was abolished only in 1773. In England the 'Musician's Company of the City of London' was formed in 1472. and incorporated by James I. in 1004 as the 'Worshipful Company of Mu- sicians.' The regulations and privileges of this guild are representative of the general character of musical guilds. It was given exclusive rights. '■. musicians and dancing-masters playing for hire in the City of London are obliged to take up their freedom thereof in the Company of Musicians only." As every musician had to pay £1 12s. to the company for the freedom of the city, and as binding an apprentice cost £1 10s. 2d., it will be seen how the Worshipful Company quickly acquired considerable power. Every member was further obliged to take an oath swearing loyalty to the King and city, and prom- ising to be "obedient unto the JIaster and War- dens of the Art or Science of ilusicians of Lon- don, for the time being, in all things concerning the same Art and Science." Instrument-makers fared badly in the Jliddle Ages. For the most part they were coni])elled to join nearly allied guilds, but in France and liclgium a number of sejjarate instrument- makers' societies were formed. The most important of these was the "Cor])oration des joueurs, faiseurs d'instruments de musique et maitres de danse," estal)lished in 14.54 at Rouen. See Ha>.se.tic League. Con- sult: Gross, and Merchaiil (Oxford. ISOO) ; Seligman, Mediwval Guilds (Baltimore, 1887); Saint Martin, Histoire des corpomtioiis de mv- tiers (Paris, 1897); and Le compagnonnaqc (Paris, I90I). GUILD, Curtis (1827—). An American journalist, born in Boston. He began a mercan- tile career, but in 1847 became a reporter for the Boston Daily Joiinml. Two years later he became connected with the Traveler, of which he became part owner in 1856. In 18.50 he fomidcd and be- came editor of the Boston Daili/ f'oniiiiercidl Bul- letin. His publications include: Orer the Ocean ( 1867) ; Abroad Again. ( 187.3) ; Britons and Mtis- covites (1888); A Chat About Celebrities; and From Sunrise to Sunset, a volume of poems. GUILD, Reuben Albridge (1822-99). An American author and librarian. He was born in West Dearborn, JIass., and was educated at Brown L^niversity, where, after graduating in 1847. he was appointed librarian, a position which he held until 1893. His puldications in- clude: The Librarian's Manual: A Treatise on Bibliography (1858); Life, Times, and Corre- spondence of James Manning, and the Early History of Broim University (18G4) : History of Brou^n University (1867); Biographical Intro- duction to the Writings of Roger Williams (1866): Chaplain Smith and the Baptists (1885). He edited Staples's Rhode Tsland in the Continental Congress. 170-'i-90 (1870); Literary and Theological Addresses of Alva iroods(I808) ; Letter of John Cotton, and Roger Williams's Reply (1806). GUILDENSTERIT, gil'den-stern. A courtier in Shrikespcare's Hamlet, who always appears with his fellow coui'tier, Rosencrantz. They are companions of Handet, and are set by the King to watcli him. GUILDFORD, gTl'ferd. The county-town of Surrey. England, situated on the river Wey, 30 miles southwest of London (ilap: England, F S). Grain, celebrated as Surrey wheats, is its staple commodity: fairs are held for horses, cattle, pigs, and sheep; it has breweries, iron- fcundries, brick-fields, paper and powder mills, and is an important railway centre. The town consists mainly of one long wide street with many well-built and many old and picturesque houses. Tile prominent buildings are: the Xor- man keep of the ruined castle which stands in a public park: the Archbishop Abbot's hospital (1619) ; Trinity and Saint Mary's churches; the