in the spring of 1883 my husband was appointed to the command of the cavalry brigade in transylvania, composed of two hussar regiments, stationed respectively at hermanstadt and kronstadt—a very welcome nomination, as gratifying a long-cherished wish of mine to visit that part of the austrian empire known as the land beyond the forest.
the two years spent in transylvania were among the most agreeable of sixteen years’ acquaintance with austrian military life; and i shall 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 strange admixture of races by which it is peopled, and their curious and varied folk-lore, i recorded some of my impressions in short, independent papers, of which three were published in blackwood’s magazine, one in the nineteenth century, and one in the contemporary review. it was only after i had left the country that, being desirous of preserving these sketches in more convenient form, i began rearranging the matter for publication; but the task of retracing my transylvanian experiences was so pleasant that it led me on far beyond my original intention. one reminiscence awoke another, one chapter gave rise to a second; and so, instead of a small volume, as had been at first contemplated, my manuscript almost unconsciously developed to its present dimensions.
when the work was completed, the idea of illustrating it occurred to me: but this was a far more difficult matter; for, though offering a perfect treasure-mine to artists, transylvania has not as yet received{vi} from them the attention it deserves; and had it not been for obliging assistance from several quarters, i should have been debarred the satisfaction of 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 engravings designed by himself, and belonging to the transylvania carpathian society, of which he is the secretary. likewise to madame kamilla asboth, for permission to copy her life-like and characteristic photographs of saxons, roumanians, and gypsies.
i would also at this place acknowledge the extreme courtesy with which every question of mine regarding transylvania people and customs has been responded to by various kind acquaintances, and if some parts of my work do not meet with their entire approval, let them here take the assurance that my remarks were prompted by no unfriendly spirit, and that in each and every case i have endeavored to judge impartially according to my lights.
emily de laszowska-gerard.
