The New York herald., 1873-05-01
LOUISE MUHLBACH.
Sketch or the Popular Authoress OF
Fnthcrland.

sketch or the Popular Authoress OF
| Fnthcrland.
| Louise Muhlbacn, the most popular suthoress Of
Germany, was born in 1914, in Neubrandenburg,
neutrality-suspicious.. Her father occupied q high
social position in her native place, having been
'IIofrath" Court Counsellor), and ''Oberburger
meister" (Chief Mayor. She received liberal
education, ana acquired a knowledge OF French
English and Italian in the High School OF Neubran-
denburg When she had completed her studies, she
accepted position as travelling companion to q
German lady OF noble birth, whs had taken deep
interest In the talented young girl. They
went to Italy, and, on their way Clara Miller-that
was her name then-Decame acquainted with
Theodore Mundt, o rising young author, who be-
l0nged to the "Young Germany" party. After two
years they were married and settled In Berlin.
When her husband was appointed Professor Of Arts
and Sciences in the Breslau University they re-
moved to Breslau. subsequently they returned
to Berlin, which has ever since been their
home. The marriage was a very happy one.
Frau Mundt-or Lsuise Muhlbach, the nom de
plume under which she wrote-became soon
famous novelist, and all the literary celebrities OF
Berlin fiscked to her house. She had two daugh-
ters-Theod0ra, who was some time ago an actress
in Kassel, and Theresa. who is engaged In literary
pursuits and has the laudable ambition
to become wel-kn0wn novelist. The year
1851 was a very sad one for Louise Muhbach.
Her husband died insane. She had nursed him
with the greatest devotion and love- and 1t was q
long time before she rallied this terrible blow
she lives still in Berlin, where she has bought q
beautiful residence. There she still works nine or
ten hours day. and it seems as If her literary &C.
tiyty will only end with her life.
Her works cover wide range OF thought and
feeling. The first novel, "A Romance in Berlin,n
upr,hfo oha hon aha w hur fwa
old. Next year followed her 'Court Stories,
fHofgeschichten). Justin" was published in
1s43, johann Gotzowski" In 1885, Frederick the
Great and His Court" in 1885, "Berlln and sans
souci In 1854, emperor Joseph and His Courr' in
1865, "Queen Hortense In 1856, "Archduke John
and His Times' in 1885, Napoleon and Germany
in 1868, ''The Great Elector and His Times.n EN-.
peror Alexander and his Court" 4" Kaiserburg and
Engesburg" .Mohanet Ali and his Times,v are
other Of her works which are to be found in every
library In Germany.
Her first works are different from her later
productions In her first novels she advanced the
most unconventional views OF lie. Murder and
other crimes were her themes, and her splen-
did imagination painted the social corruption
Of the age in the most glarng colors. In
eva; or, Romance IN Berlin,n one of her
first works, she endeavored to show that
hypocrisy and cant, in religion as well as In poll
TICS we're sure to undermine all the moral founda-
tions OF society. Her political opinions were
ultra-lberal, and in the Last Days OF Kath-
crime llv and the Daughter OF an Empressn she
gave pictures OF Russian despotism that almost
make ones flesh creep and ones hair to stand
on end. In these novels her style is flowing. rich,
glowing-but at times too exuberant. In her later I
works, ''Frcderick the Great and His Court"
emperor Joseph and His Court" and Others, she
abstained from these revolving pictures OF society,
and endeavored to give vivid and faithful account
OF the times In which these great men lived. In I
some instances she visited the countries in which |
her heroes mac lived, and all her historical
novels give evidences Of wide research and |
reading. Her novels are perhaps the most
widely read Of any works Of fiction by German |
writers and are the standard novels in
every circulating library. Where Is the |
boudoir in that land Of philosophy and
music where some tender-hearted woman has
not shed tears over the loves Of Frederick and
Joseph9 Where Is the young school girl who has
not dreamed Of some hero with "naming eyesr aud
al that perfection ot manly beauty with which