SCHLOSS AND TOWN.*
IT is pleasant to think that there are people in the world who, though common-place, engrossed in the petty concerns and anxieties of every-day life, and not above occasional small jealousies and squabbles, possess, nevertheless, a genuine hero- ism, which is latent in them, holding itself in reserve till called
out by some emergency, and then manifesting itself quietly and spontaneously, as a real and essential element in their composi- tion. Not only is it pleasant, but also wholesome, to be re- minded of the existence of these individuals; for the thought of them raises one's opinion of the rest of human nature, and goes far to check cynicism and the habit of taking a jaundiced view of one's fellow-creatures. Schloss and Town affords capital examples of such people, drawn with much quiet humour and fidelity to life, and whom it is impossible for the reader to help liking. Their various little peculiarities and failings are neither ignored, glossed over, nor allowed to escape some amount of gentle ridicule ; but yet their real, sterling worth is done justice to, notwithstanding, and we are made to perceive the lovable- ness, unselfishness, and heroism that may be found underlying some humdrum and unpromising exterior. The whole repre- sentation of the Von Tellenbach family is delightful, with their
troubles, manner of life, little jars, individual weaknesses, and strong, mutual affection; it is truthful, amusing, and yet, now
and then, touching. Here is the picture of the Baron himself, the head of the family :-
" Baron von Tellenbach, who felt himself the great man of the place, like many another great man took advantage of his position to exercise the privilege of wearing whatever costume -he pleased, and the combinations which resulted from this privilege were not a little remarkable. Ho was, for instance, now attired in an undress garment of thick material, which in shape and cut resembled a blouse, and was confined round his waist by a belt, while on his head he wore a military peaked cap of uncertain age, at sight of which his son could scarcely refrain from a smile. Add to this very baggy and rather short trousers, and it will bo understood that Herr von Tellenbach was in the habit of expecting a good deal to hang upon the fact that he was Herr von Tellenbach, and depended little upon outward appearances. For the rest, ho was short, thickly built, and florid, and walked sturdily, swaying a little from side to side with each step, but going straight to his point."
He is mated with a wife who is calm, and a little stiff and pre- judiced; but excellent, and possessed of much more strength of will and character than be is. He looks up to her immensely,
• Schloss and Town. By Frances May Peard, Author of " The Rom Garden," " Cartonehe," " Mother Molly," tee. London : Smith, Elder, and Co.
leans on her entirely, and does nothing without her, though be- lieving all the time that he reigns supreme, and that men are in every respect superior to women,—which delusion she quite approves of and encourages him in. We will quote an instance to show their relations towards each other. It is when the Baron finds himself in the awkward predicament of having to tell Herr Meyer that his (the Baron's) son refuses absolutely to marry Herr Meyer's daughter, and makes comical efforts to get his wife to do it for him, or at the very least to assist him by being present at the interview :- " He would not hear of her leaving him. He said peevishly, When everything is thrown on my back, you must really tell me what you wish said. You know this is your affair; you would insist on his coming, and now how am I to explain—how can I break it to the man ? If you had only spoken to Rudolf, or if you had told me at the beginning that it would not do, I need never have committed myself. There, he is coming, I see him ! Elisabeth, why should you not remain ?' And in his anxiety he caught her by the dress. His wife gently disengaged herself.—' No, no, my friend. You know very well that such affairs belong to the master of the house alone ; we women must not mix ourselves up in them.' She said this quite simply, and without any ironical meaning. The Baron nodded approvingly. Yes, I know. Only you might just be in the room.' —' Better not. There is the bell. Remember, Herrman, Herr Meyer means well.'—' But—Elisabeth—stop, stop ! How am I to begin ? What shall I say ? That we regret it ?'—' Precisely.'—' Well, well, and what next ?—' Hear first what he has to say, and then glide into the subject.'—' Glide !' repeated the poor Baron miserably to himself. Now, how on earth am I to do that ! Women never do explain themselves, and everything is thrown upon my shoulders.' "
And when the dreaded conversation takes place, he catches wildly at the smallest pretext for trying to bring his trusty counsellor to his support, so that when Herr Meyer does but cough slightly, the Baron "jumped up with alacrity. Let me offer you a lozenge,' he said, eagerly, I am so sorry for your cough. Will you allow me to fetch my wife ? She has some excellent remedies, and I am sure it would please her greatly to place them at your disposal. I will bring her here in an instant' His habitual dependence on his wife makes all the more striking the solitary occasion of his refusing to be guided by her. The question has arisen as to whether or not he shall interfere on behalf of a friendless girl, who is no kith or kin of his, nor in any way his business, and by helping whom he is certain mortally to offend a man who is able to ruin him. The tempta- tion to leave the matter alone is terribly strong, and even his wife, exemplary and strong as she is, is disposed for once to waver, and urge him to do nothing. Then comes out the true nobility of the man, which makes it impossible for him not to obey the dictates of honour and conscience ; and he not only asserts himself resolutely, but brings her to agree with him also, as appears in the subjoined extract :-
"' Is it right, Elisabeth ?'—' It is not incumbent,' she persisted. She was standing before him as she spoke, but looking on the floor.- ' Is it right ? Yes or no ?" Right ?—yes, possibly, she hesitated. But not a duty.'—' If it is right, it is also a duty. And it is not like you, Elisabeth,' said the Baron, with a touch of sternness in his voice, to say that because it is possible for harm to come of it to ourselves, we should, therefore, not do our utmost to help the weak or the wronged.' She moved her hands impatiently, still looking down. This Professor may help her,' she said, and then ?'—' Then I shall stand aside,' said her husband, simply. I am sure I hope he may. It would be a great deal more agreeable to me. But if there turns out to be no one else to look after the girl's interests, I should be no better than a coward to let self-interest stand in the way ; and you will think so, too, best Elisabeth, directly you have given yourself time to reflect.' She suddenly looked up-, and kissed him on both cheeks.= You are right, quite right,' she said, in an altered voice. Do what you feel you should do, Year own heart is your best guide.' " Another inmate of Tellenbach's house is his widowed mother, who, though a different type of woman from his wife, is also well sketched. She is a bright, contradictory, lovable old lady, bearing up bravely against the calamity of increasing blindness, now and then bored by the over-great care of her daughter-in- law (between whom and her, however, there exists the sincerest affection), "not always inclined to feel as old as her age, and sometimes conscious of an almost irresistible desire to be imprudent" One of the most actively objectionable characters in the story is the heroine's aunt, a coarse, vulgar, false, cruel woman ; unpleasant as she is, however, she has at least the redeeming point of being able to feel some kind of remorse at last. But even this merit is denied to the toady Frau Schmidt, a character on whom the author is especially severe ; weak, selfish, sentimental, and cringing, not important enough to hate, destitute of any good quality, quoting continually a sort of Mrs. Harris of a Stadt- directorinn, whose imaginary opinions seem to supply her with some sort of artificial backbone, she is absolutely contemptible. One of her favourite expressions is "soul-ennobling," yet her own soul is incapable of rising to any more sublime level than that of a desire to have the good things of life brought her in proper succession, and deems a place insupportable where neither society, Kaffeen, nor regular cook are to be had, and where the cinnamon cake is heavy !
The book is both clever and agreeable ; but its merit, to our mind, lies rather in the character-drawing of which we have- been speaking than in the story, which is decidedly slight,— though pleasant, as far as it goes. It contains a regulation hero- and heroine, the former of whom is rather too faultless, and needs some kind of human weakness to make him interesting ; a hot. temper, like that of the heroine, would be better than nothing. The moral intended to be conveyed seems to be that, if young people's thoughts get much directed on each other, even an. tagouistically, the interest thus created may very likely end, in spite of themselves, in a warmer sentiment. By-the-bye, is any object gained by the mixture of languages in the title ? Would not "Castle and Town " have done quite as well, and sounded better and neater ?
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