THE LAND BEYOND THE FOREST.
THE
LAND BEYOND THE FOREST
FACTS, FIGURES, AND FANCIES
FROM
TRANSYLVANIA
BY E. GERARD
AUTHOR OF
“REATA” “THE WATERS OF HERCULES” “BEGGAR MY NEIGHBOR” ETC.
WITH MAP AND ILLUSTRATIONS
NEW YORK
HARPER & BROTHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE
1888
PREFACE.
In the spring of 1883 my husband was appointed to the commandof the cavalry brigade in Transylvania, composed of two hussar regiments,stationed respectively at Hermanstadt and Kronstadt—a verywelcome nomination, as gratifying a long-cherished wish of mine tovisit that part of the Austrian empire known as the Land beyond theForest.
The two years spent in Transylvania were among the most agreeableof sixteen years’ acquaintance with Austrian military life; and Ishall always look back to this time as to something quaint and exceptional,totally different from all previous and subsequent experiences.
Much interested in the wild beauty of the country, the strangeadmixture of races by which it is peopled, and their curious and variedfolk-lore, I recorded some of my impressions in short, independentpapers, of which three were published in Blackwood’s Magazine, onein the Nineteenth Century, and one in the Contemporary Review. Itwas only after I had left the country that, being desirous of preservingthese sketches in more convenient form, I began rearranging the matterfor publication; but the task of retracing my Transylvanian experienceswas so pleasant that it led me on far beyond my original intention.One reminiscence awoke another, one chapter gave rise to asecond; and so, instead of a small volume, as had been at first contemplated,my manuscript almost unconsciously developed to its presentdimensions.
When the work was completed, the idea of illustrating it occurredto me: but this was a far more difficult matter; for, though offeringa perfect treasure-mine to artists, Transylvania has not as yet received{vi}from them the attention it deserves; and had it not been for obligingassistance from several quarters, I should have been debarred the satisfactionof elucidating some of my descriptions by appropriate sketches.
In this matter my thanks are greatly due to Herr Emil Sigerus,who was good enough to place at my disposal the blocks of engravingsdesigned by himself, and belonging to the Transylvania CarpathianSociety, of which he is the secretary. Likewise to Madame KamillaAsboth, for permission to copy her life-like and characteristic photographsof Saxons, Roumanians, and gypsies.
I would also at this place acknowledge the extreme courtesy withwhich every question of mine regarding Transylvania people and customshas been responded to by various kind acquaintances, and if someparts of my work do not meet with their entire approval, let them heretake the assurance that my remarks were prompted by no unfriendlyspirit, and that in each and every case I have endeavored to judge impartiallyaccording to my lights.
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