New-York daily tribune., 1858-11-04
Nemasark Daily Gribm,ss
NEW PUBLICATIONS
PEASANT LIFE IN GERMANY.

PEASANT LIFE IN GERMANY. BY Miu Avv. C. fsss.
limo. pp $50. Charles scribner.
German life, in various phases, has been favor.
ite theme with different modern travellers and
would seem to give little promise Of novel or inter
estng treatment. The writer Of this volume,
however, may claim an audience from American
readers, on account Of the enterprise with which
she has devoted herself to tho study Of character
and social habits in many unentcing German vi
lagos, and the frank and cordial spirit with which
she relates her impressions of travel in roxix-'
little frequented by fashionable tourists. 7"V
The free and good-nstured simplicity with whsh
she takes the reader into her confidence mayin-
deed often call forth 8 smile; nor s the ou!spotsa
explcitness, which she preserves, in the descnP
ton Of scenes that are not often alluded TO In pnk
altogether in accordance with fastidious taste;
but she has evidently chosen for her motto, "EvI
TO him that evil thinks" and none but cynical
fault-6nder would b. disposed to condemn the can.
dor of her statements, when they are 40 unmis-
takably prompted by sincerity Of purpose
II demanded no little energy and courage to IN
dertake the tour which has been 80 happily per-
formed by the writer. A veteran like Ida PfeiAer,
who was predestined TO put her foot into oil sortA
of strange places would naturally find herself st
home in the out-ofthe way farm houses and village
inns on whose hospitality Miss johnson was 6
pensioner; but for young American woman who
had never ventured far beyond the sound Of he
church bells Of New-Engsnd, to plunge into tho
midst Of urcouth German peasantry requireds
RI. g p1u of h,nh f,uy A1sYl
can boast. In spite Of the cold water thrown 1poa
the enterprise by one of her fashionable young
friends who wonders what 10 the world she can
aud to tell "about bowzy old Frau making
Soutrkrant," she starts of in the good ship her'
msnn, one year ago Last March, and soon found
edge of the German language, she soon made her
way into the interior, aud securing the servces@
some young peasant girl who could speak eosa
German and English was at no loss for communs
cation with all sorts Of persons. Behold now ms
enterprising tourist on her travels, picking ap
store Of strange knowledge 10 scenes where 'e"
American feet had ever trod
One Of her first experiences, as in duty ooa'''
was in church:
We must go to church Of course, and see how Pc,
pie worship God u a strange land, and enter ons "
these grand old cathedrals, founded by CliaremsxS
ut is marvellous how many there are IN GcrnHJ
bossting the same honor with the ricby-stsined ~
dows and the great organ as large as New'Enf.Is
meeting g-house. The service IS Lutheran, anu ts
clrrgymen of this denomination, though wesnS
gOwns perform their toilet at home instesn o nav.
lookiug-2ass and DIRE ssing-tsbe behind the PulPs;
They are seen walking through the streets In L
csnoncsls, and preach, aud sing, and pray, ia w
same dress. The women Of the congregation DO D~
seem 10 bc governed at all ny PAU Instruction ID ~!
matter Of "proper attire" but sit in church W
- uncovered heads" not seeming TO think with ~
Of them, with their hats on, removing and rep!scB
thcrn 10 suit their convenience.
We stare about, and think how funny! Tho aeon
are ulc.rpeted, aud the seats arcusilioned and y
before our eyes are long rows Of saints and bestn
men, that we presume are rare and costly w1xs
at, upon which we ought TO gaze with profound ~
uira,on; but We have not yet learned this spsc's'~
homage.
The choir consists of some thirty or forty htts oSy
and girls in unforn-the former 10 blue Jacks.' -
gowns, with white, three-cornered kersnen p
10 front, srd hong white aprcns. A pretty nsn -.
side these the whole congregation JOIN IN .a ,hS
ng. The sermon we cannot undefstsna ~ ~. ia
/ Is about the blessedness of frcedom' s.h III
comes the holy communion, to partake OF u.h.r
must be dressed in black each one gong " 'i'
10 receive il at the clergyman Q hands. .,A.,ip IN
large portion Of the congregation were ':,;oa1 Of
military array, present according 10 tne .cnbs
Government. On leaving the church, they ssosrt in
upon the parade ground and two hours are - of
the eyolntions which perfect them in the
killing a. many people as possible with 80. rrsulsr
pepse and trouble. This is Sunday, and th' !"
Sabbath exhibition. r.u 10 ia
Alter performing her deyotion-, sceoro'hs '"