PUBLICATIONS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA 
 
 AMERICANA GERMANIGA 
 
 MONOGRAPHS DEVOTED TO THE COMPARATIVE 
 STUDY OF THE 
 
 Literary, Linguistic and Other Cultural Relations 
 
 OF 
 
 Germany and America 
 
 EDITOR 
 
 MARION DEXTER LEARNED 
 
 University of Pennsylvania 
 
 (See List at the End of the Book] 
 
FRIEDRICH ARMAND STRUKBERG 
 
 [After the Portrait in possession of Frau Inspektor Lenkmann, Kassel.] 
 
THE LIFE AND WORKS 
 
 OF 
 
 FRIEDRICH ARMAND STRUBBERG 
 
 By 
 
 PRESTON ALBERT BARBA, PH. D. 
 
 Sometime Research Fellow in Germanics in the University of Pennsylvania 
 Instructor in German at Indiana University 
 
 Qmericana (Bermantca 
 
 VOLUMR 16. 
 
 PUBLICATIONS OF THE 
 UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA 
 1913 
 
COPYRIGHT 1913 
 
 BY 
 
 PRESTON A. BARBA. 
 
AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED 
 
 TO 
 MY OLD TEACHER 
 
 WILHELM WACKERNAGEL 
 
 MUHLENBERG COLLEGE 
 
 382077 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER. Page 
 
 I. Introduction. The Exotic Element in German 
 
 Fiction Before Strubberg 1 1 
 
 II. The Biography of Strubberg 27 
 
 III. The Works of Strubberg 62 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 1. A Chronological List of the Editions of Strub- 
 
 berg s Works 139 
 
 2. Letters 141 
 
 3. Two Episodes 148 
 
PREFACE 
 
 This monograph is an extension of a dissertation presented 
 to the Committee of the Department of Philosophy of the Uni 
 versity of Pennsylvania in partial fulfilment of the requirements 
 for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 
 
 Its purpose is to restore an interesting figure in the history 
 of the cultural relations of Germany and America to his rightful 
 place as a pioneer and writer. Once a popular chronicler of Ger 
 man emigration to Western America, and of Indian life there, 
 Friedrich Armand Strubberg suffered the misfortune of passing 
 into oblivion when German emigration ceased and the Indian him 
 self had become little more than a name. For the historian to 
 continue longer to neglect Strubberg would be adding injustice 
 to misfortune. 
 
 I wish to express here my sincere gratitude to Professor 
 Marion D. Learned, who suggested the subject, and to Professor 
 Daniel B. Shumway, both of the University of Pennsylvania, for 
 the kind encouragement, aid and criticism, which they have 
 given me in the course of this work. 
 
 I am indebted also to not a few persons for having fur 
 nished me with valuable material. Of these I mention the dialect- 
 poet Karl Heinz Hill, of Wiesbaden; Kanzleirat C. Neuber, Post- 
 direktor a. D. George Wolff, and Fran Inspektor Lenkmann, of 
 Kassel; Herr Franz Berck and Herr Ebert, of Gelnhausen, and 
 Frau Geheimrat Frese, of Bad Wildungen, all of whom had 
 been friends of the author. 
 
 Further, I am under special obligations to Paul Heidelbach, 
 editor of Hessenland, Kassel, for his many efforts in the interests 
 of this work. 
 
 Finally, I wish to acknowledge the courtesies extended to 
 me by Frau Clara Thorbecke and Herr Julius Thorbecke, of 
 Mannheim, and Oberst von Strubberg, of Erfurt, relatives of 
 
 the author. 
 
 PRESTON A. BARBA. 
 
 Indiana University, May, 1913. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The Appearance of the Exotic Element in German Fiction before 
 
 Strubberg. 
 
 The history of the exotic novel in German Literature still 
 remains to be written. Such a history would certainly not begin 
 with Charles Sealsfield (Carl Postl) who is commonly called the 
 father 1 of the exotic novel in Germany. The growth of the 
 exotic novel has been a slow one and has continued during many 
 centuries. Its roots consist of many complicated ramifications 
 and lie deeply embedded in that peculiar but inherent trait in 
 the German character so fittingly termed Der Drang in die Feme. 
 A love for the exotic and an adaptability to foreign standards 
 have manifested themselves constantly from the earliest to mod 
 ern times, and have been much deplored by German thinkers. 
 An Austrian satirist of the thirteenth century, the so-called 
 Seifried Helbling, 2 took it upon himself to lash the German for 
 his servitude to foreign manners. This same trait has frequently 
 and for long periods of time enslaved German literature and 
 made it dependent now upon the French and the English, now 
 upon the Italian and the Spanish. 3 
 
 1 This appellation was probably first given Sealsfield by Rudolf Gottschall. 
 See his Portrdts und Studien. i. Bd. 1870, p. 386; also his Deutsche National- 
 literatur des 19. Jhs., 4. Bd. 1872, p. 788. 
 
 a See Seifried Helbling. Ed. by Hugo Hildebrand in D. N. L. Bd. IX. 
 
 3 Cf. Wilhelm Lindemann : Geschichte der deutsch. Lit., 7. Aufl. 1898, p. 
 874. 
 
12 Friedrich Armand Stntbbcrg 
 
 The first great channel for the induction of the exotic ele 
 ment into German literature was that of the Crusades. Through 
 their contact with the East," writes Robertson, "the Crusaders 
 threw open a new world to the European imagination. The 
 strange peoples and customs, the unfamiliar plants and animals, 
 the rich textures, precious stones, and fabulous wealth of the 
 Orient had a peculiar fascination for the western mind, and a 
 childish delight in these wonders re-echoes through medieval 
 poetry until long after the classical renaissance in Italy." 4 
 The first Eastern literature brought into Europe by the Crusaders 
 was the Latin version of an Alexander saga which was trans 
 lated into German from the French Chanson d Alexandre by the 
 priest Lamprecht about 1140. The first direct embodiment of 
 such Oriental material, however, was in the epics of Konig Rother 
 (ca. 1160) and Herzog Ernst (ca. 1180). In Graf Rudolf (ca. 
 1170), a Thuringian poem, Eastern material has also been 
 employed. 5 Further mention of the numberless later instances in 
 which exotic material has been employed throughout the pro 
 ductive Middle High German period of German literature would 
 be out of place here. 
 
 In the fifteenth century another exotic element, outside of 
 that which manifested itself in literature as such, made itself 
 felt in the form of certain works on travel. In 1356 Sir John 
 Maundeville had written his famous Travels in French. The 
 first German translation probably dates from 1430. Maunde- 
 ville s Travels contain more fiction than truth. Gradually, how 
 ever, descriptions of travel came to be based on more scientific 
 observation and the fictitious took a less significant place. In 
 1534 Sebastian Frank published his Weltbuoch: Spiegel und bildt- 
 niss des gantzen erdbodens, etc., in Tubingen. In 1544 Sebastian 
 Miinster (once a Franciscan monk, later Professor at Basel) 
 
 4 See John G. Robertson : A Hist, of Germ. Lit. 1902, p. 51. 
 
 6 Cf. Paul Piper : Die Spielmannsdichtung. D. N. L. 2. Bd. 
 
 * This translation was in Low German. A High German translation by 
 Michael Velser, was printed in Augsburg, 1481. 
 
 Cf. Aug. Koberstein : Geschichte d. deutsch. Nationalist. Lpz. 1872, I. 
 Bd., p. 414. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 13 
 
 published his Cosmo graphia Beschreibung alter lender, etc., in 
 Basel. A century later, in 1647, appeared Adam Olearius Neue 
 Orient alische Relsebeschreibung. These works manifest a de 
 cided step toward the emancipation of the real from the fabulous. 
 Their isolated position, however, prevented them from giving 
 German literature a direct impulse in favor of the exotic. 
 
 The second great channel through which the exotic element 
 actually entered German literature, and more particularly the 
 field of the novel, was the introduction of the Spanish romance of 
 roguery. Mendozas picaresque Lazarillo de Tonnes (1554) had 
 been translated into German in 1617. The first fruit of Mendoza s 
 romance in Germany was Grimmelshausen s Simplicius Sim- 
 plicissimus, which appeared in 1669. In these romances the 
 rogues were left to wander through various foreign countries, 
 thus affording the author ample opportunity for the introduction 
 of exotic material. Parallel with the romances of roguery were 
 the romances of "gallant" adventure. Of these we must men 
 tion here Philipp von Zesen s Adriatische Rosemund (1645), 
 and H. A. von Ziegler s Asiatische B anise (1688). The scene of 
 the latter is laid in the East and betrays an attempt on the part 
 of the author to give the story a tropical milieu. 
 
 With the translation of Daniel Defoe s Robinson Crusoe 
 (1719) into German in 1720, we come to the third great channel. 
 This translation was followed in the eighteenth century by no 
 less than sixty Robinsonades of every conceivable nature. 7 Of 
 all these Robinsonades the most important is Ins el Felsenburg, 
 written by J. G. Schnabel and published between 1731 and 1743. 
 The hero, dismayed by the baleful results of the Thirty Years 
 War, leaves Germany to find a new home in some foreign coun 
 try; he is, however, shipwrecked on the lonely island of Felsen 
 burg where he becomes the founder of a modern Utopia. 
 Whether Defoe had any "Tendenz" motives in his Robinson 
 Crusoe is a question not yet definitely answered. It remains cer- 
 
 T Cf. August Kippenberg: Robinson in DeutschJand bis zur Insel Felsen 
 burg. Diss. Hannover, 1892. 
 
14 Frledrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 tain that some of its imitations, especially Insel Felsenburg, were 
 "Tendenz" novels. Robertson thinks they "give voice for the 
 first time to that repugnance to civilisation and desire for a 
 return to nature which Rousseau made a turning-point in the 
 history of European thought." 8 Through the great number of 
 imitations and adaptations of Robinson Crusoe, among which 
 were a Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Swiss, and even an Amer 
 ican Robinson, a vast amount of exotic material entered German 
 literature. 
 
 Through the above-named channels the exotic element made 
 its appearance in German literature prior to the nineteenth cen 
 tury. This earlier element can be recognized only as an indirect 
 factor in the history of the exotic novel. During the last years 
 of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth century, 
 however, three forces were at work which gave the exotic novel 
 a direct impact, and may in reality be considered as its molding 
 factors. 
 
 The first of these forces was a social one, and is to be found 
 primarily in the works of Rousseau, whose ideas on nature as 
 expressed in his works La Nouvelle Helo ise (1760), Emile 
 (1762), and the Contrat social (1762), soon made themselves 
 felt throughout the length and breadth of Europe. Their influ 
 ence was soon at work in Germany. La Nouvelle Helo ise was 
 translated into German in 1761. The youthful Wieland, who 
 had already turned away from his early pietism, fell under Rous 
 seau s sway, and published in 1764 Der Sieg der Natur iiber die 
 Schwarmerey oder die Abentheuer des Don Sylvio von Rosalva. 
 La Nouvelle Helo ise had also inspired Goethe in his Werther. 
 The nature view in these German works was little akin, how 
 ever, to that objective view of nature which manifested itself in 
 the French works following in the wake of Rousseau s teachings. 
 In 1784 Bernardin de Saint-Pierre (1737-1814), who from his 
 earliest youth had entertained the project of establishing a 
 colony on some island in the South Sea after the fashion of 
 
 See Robertson : Hist, of Germ. Lit., p. 231. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 15 
 
 Robinson Crusoe, wrote his Etudes de la Nature in which is con 
 tained in his literary masterpiece Paul et Virginie. In this work 
 the author gave Rousseau s nature pedagogy its most delightful 
 literary form. Significant, too, is the exotic element in the 
 author s minute description of natural objects as found on the 
 Isle de France. In the same work Paul et Virginie is followed 
 by the less significant tale La Chaumiere Indienne. St. Pierre s 
 work only helped to exaggerate that worship of nature and that 
 extravagant admiration for man in his primitive state, which 
 was then so fashionable. 9 This age, in which sentiment played 
 so large a p,art, finally found the object for its affections in the 
 American Indian. The cultivation of this interest in the Ameri 
 can Indian, or rather the American Indian a la Rousseau, is due 
 largely to Chateaubriand (1768-1848), who like most other 
 young men of the times shared the unbounded admiration for 
 Rousseau. He was big with the theories of the Contrat Social 
 and sought to give them literary form. In the spring of 1791 
 Chateaubriand came to America where he seems to have traveled 
 extensively and even dwelt among the Indians. 10 
 
 In the life and manners of the American Indian Chateau 
 briand found the material for his contemplated work. For the 
 basis of it he took the story of the revolt of the Indians of 
 Louisiana in 1727 against the Europeans who had encroached 
 upon the rights of the red man, and the massacre of the colony at 
 Natchez. His work Natchez was the result. Though written 
 before 1800 it was first published in 1826. His Atala appeared 
 in 1 80 1. In neither of these works does Chateaubriand, in spite 
 
 9 The Etudes de la Nature appeared in German as Betrachtungen iiber 
 die Natur; aus d. Franzos. 2 Thle. 8. Gorlitz, 1795, 96. 
 
 10 The extent of Chateaubriand s travels in America has been the subject 
 for some dispute. 
 
 Cf. Anonymous Article : The Works of Chateaubriand in Amer. Quart. 
 Rev. Dec. 1827, p. 458 f. 
 
 Cf. also Joseph Bedier: Chateaubriand en Amerique: Verite et Fiction 
 in his fLtudes Critiques, Paris, 1903. 
 
 J. Schmidt in his Gschte. d. Franz. Lit., Lpz., 1873, p. 300, says: "Der 
 Verfasser selbst hatte freilich nur auf Wochen den Einfall gehabt, Krieger 
 eines Indianerstammes zu werden: dem Pesthauch der Civilization soweit als 
 moglich entflohen, bis hinein in die bestiale Wildheit!" 
 
1 6 Friedrich Armand Strnbbcrg 
 
 of his travels in America, seeem to be desirous of giving an 
 objective picture of conditions among the Indians as they were. 
 Of course, he saw with the eyes of a romanticist and in Atala 
 he gives his romantic spirit unrestrained freedom. Under his 
 hands the sturdy red man of the American forests became a 
 French salon-Indian. In Atala there is little of real ethno 
 graphic value. The local coloring is exaggerated and not infre 
 quently false. 11 
 
 The works of Chateaubriand were largely responsible for 
 that romantic attitude toward the American Indian, and the wild, 
 primitive conditions of nature round about him which have pre 
 vailed to a great extent ever since. Indirectly they were 
 re-echoed in Germany in various forms. 12 Among the most 
 common was Johann Gottfried Seume s 13 (1763-1810) famous 
 poem Der Wilde^ 
 
 The second force, also external, was a purely literary one, 
 and came partly with the introduction of Scott into Germany; 
 partly also with the introduction of Cooper. The condition of 
 the German novel in the first decades of the nineteenth century 
 was a rather precarious one. To quote Barthel : ". . . die 
 
 "The author himself seems to have felt the necessity of defending the 
 verity of his American descriptions, for in a later preface (1805) to Atala et 
 Rene we read : "Quand on trouve dans un auteur vine circonstance qui ne fait 
 pas beaute en elle-meme et qui ne sert qu a donner de la ressemblance au tab 
 leau, si cet auteur a d ailleurs montre quelque sens commun, il seroit assez 
 naturel de supposer qu il n a pas invente cette circonstance et qu il n a fait que 
 rapporter une chose reelle, bien qu elle ne soit pas tres-commune. Rien n em- 
 peche qu on ne trouve Atala une mechante production, mais j ose dire que la 
 nature americaine y est peinte avec la plus scrupuleuse exactitude. C est une 
 justice que, lui rendent tous les voyageurs qui ont visite la Louisiane et les 
 Florides. Les deuxtraductionsangloises d Atala sont parvenuesen Amerique, les 
 papiers publics ont annonce en outre, une troisieme traduction publiee a Phila- 
 delphie ayec succes. Si les tableaux de cette histoire eussent manque de verite, 
 auroient-ils reussi chez un peuple qui pouvoit dire a chaque pas: Ce ne sont 
 pas la nos fleuves, nos montagnes, nos forets. Atala est retournee au desert 
 et il semble que sa patrie 1 ait reconnue pour veritable enfant de la solitude." 
 
 12 Atala appeared in German in the same year of its publication. Atala. 
 Aus dem Franzosischen v. K. F. Cramer. 8. Leipzig, 1801. 
 
 13 Seume had been kidnapped by Hessian recruiting-officers while on his 
 way to Paris, and dragged to America where he was forced to fight against 
 the Americans in their struggle for independence from England. 
 
 14 For various other sporadic poetic idealizations of the American Indian 
 before Der Wilde of Seume, see The Influence of the American Revolution 
 upon German Literature, by J. T. Hatfield and E. Hochbaum in Americana 
 Germanic a. Vol. 3. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 17 
 
 poetischen Stoffe waren durch unsere Heroen der Literatur in 
 gewissem Sinne erschopft. Goethe hatte das innere Gemiitsleben 
 des Menschen, vorziiglich in seinem Zwiespalte, dargestellt; 
 Schiller dagegen hatte das bewegte Leben der Weltgeschichte, 
 verklart durch die Idee der politischen und menschlichen Frei- 
 heit, zur Darstellung gebracht. So lag eine ganze Welt poeti 
 schen Gehalts fertig. Wo nun neue Stoffe hernehmen?" 15 The 
 answer came with the introduction of the works of Sir Walter 
 Scott into Germany. 
 
 In the year 1815 German translations of Scott were pub 
 lished. Up to 1830 the works of Scott may be said to have com 
 manded the literary interest of Germany almost exclusively. 16 
 The historical novels of Scott and their many imitations in Ger 
 many must concern us here for several reasons : First, Scott was 
 an advocate of truthful and minute description. He taught the 
 Germans to take an interest in their past, and describe that past 
 with all the minuteness of reality that the study of antiquity then 
 permitted. Through this lesson the Germans also directed their 
 attention more closely to the present. 17 This was a decided step 
 toward that realism, which found one of its chief exponents in 
 the exotic novel. Secondly, Scott introduced into his works all 
 classes of society; especially did he love to introduce the peasant, 
 with his healthy and often rather gruff humor, with his man 
 ners, customs, and superstitions. The peasant had hitherto 
 played a very insignificant role in the novel. With the introduc 
 tion of the lower classes into German fiction was made the first 
 step toward the realization of the "Nebeneinander" novel, of 
 which the exotic novel must be considered a phase. 
 
 The appearance of Cooper s novels, and especially those of 
 the Leatherstocking Tales, drew the attention of all Europe to 
 America. Cooper s works were being translated into German 
 
 15 See K. Barthel s Vorlesungen iiber die deutsch. Nationallit. der Neu- 
 zeit, p. 2 f. 
 
 16 Cf. H. Mielke : Der deutsche Roman, p. 9. 
 
 17 See Mielke: Der deutsche Roman, p. 98: "Der histprische Roman Wal 
 ter Scotts fiihrte die romantischen Geister aus ihrer idyllischen oder dusteren 
 Traumwelt der Wirklichkeit und ihrer Poesie naher." 
 
1 8 Friedrich Arniand Strubberg 
 
 constantly since i826. 18 The peculiar nature of Cooper s material 
 prohibited his imitators from transplanting their imitations into 
 German soil as Alexis had done with the works of Scott. Con 
 sequently a number of writers appeared who initiated Cooper 
 bodily; others, however, had themselves been in America and 
 wrote from personal experience, though they also owed much to 
 Cooper. These writers will receive attention further on. In the 
 works of Cooper, then, we must recognize the most potent of 
 those literary forces, which led to the dependence of the German 
 exotic novel in so large a measure upon America. 
 
 The third force was a political one and came with the move 
 ment known as "Young German." The Wars of Liberation 
 had left little hope for a united Fatherland in the heart of the Ger 
 man patriot. That little hope had been extinguished wholly by 
 the "Deutscher Bund" of 1814. Napoleon, rather cosmopolitan 
 in his tastes, had showed little respect for boundaries. National 
 consciousness among the Germans was again losing ground. The 
 young students of Hegelian philosophy were entertaining beauti 
 ful day-dreams of a "world republic," when the July Revolution 
 broke forth and spread its ferment beyond the mere literary 
 agitators. The Young Germans were prostituting literature to 
 politics. Little of permanent value was produced in the novel 
 which did not have a direct political end. 
 
 The discontent of the times reached a hysterical climax in 
 Ernst Willkomm s novel Der Europamilde (1838). As a novel 
 it possesses little value. Its characters are personifications of 
 ideas rather than living flesh and blood. It is lyrical, too, rather 
 than epical. Here it is of interest inasmuch as it directs the dis 
 content and yearnings for a better state toward America. The 
 first part of the work ends with a very significant prophecy, in 
 which the interesting idea of a German America is entertained: 
 "Dann, Raimund, denke ich zuriick in hohem, heiligen Schmerz 
 an meine Mutterwelt, die ich fliehen musste, um ein Mensch zu 
 bleiben, und greife zur Feder, die ich dem Schweif des Flamingo 
 entreise, und schreibe die Schmerzen Europa s, decke auf seine 
 
 "The writer expects to publish a work on Cooper in German Literature 
 in the near future. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strnbberg 19 
 
 Gebrechen, singe seinen Jammer und heile sein Weh, indem ich 
 seine Kinder zum Bewusstsein ihres Ungliicks bringe. . . . Ich will 
 Europa s poetische Liebe verpflanzen in Amerika s poetische Ur- 
 welt. Da soil ein Geschlecht entstehen mit deutschem Blut, deut- 
 scher Ausdauer, deutschem Gemiith und cleutscher Glaubens- 
 kraftigkeit, das sich Leben gesogen hat aus dem unversiegbaren 
 Born der Freiheit. Hinter mir schon seh ich die Leuchtfeuer 
 der Kiiste versinken, dunkel schattet die Nacht tiber dem Meere, 
 aber der Morgen ziindet an einer neuen Kiiste die begriissenden 
 Flammen an. Die Apalachen spriihen im Morgenroth wie Rie- 
 senhelme empor, zum Himmel stiirmen die Zypressen am Missis 
 sippi, und tragen die stolze Frage hinauf : Ob es wohl erlaubt sei, 
 auf Erden gottlich frei zu sein neben Gott?" The second part 
 ends with : "Lebt wohl in Europa ! Vom Ufer des Mississippi 
 schreib ich Euch wieder." 
 
 Each of the three forces enumerated, the social, the literary 
 and the political, remarkable as it may be, pointed westward 
 toward America. They had joined to increase the German s love 
 for and interest in America. "Das neue Land der blauen Blume 
 aber" says Mielke, "hiess Amerika, da der weltbiirgerliche Geist 
 dieser Epoche sich auf das engste verwandt mit jenen Gesinnun- 
 gen fiihlte, die jenseits des Ozeans aufgesprossen waren und 
 Freiheit und Demokratie hiessen." 19 America became the Mecca 
 for the weary and the oppressed of all classes. With the year 
 1817 began the great migrations of the nineteenth century. In 
 that year 20,000 Germans were driven by hunger to the shores 
 of America. 20 Between 1820-30 only about 15,000 Germans 
 emigrated. 21 These migrations were due in part to political 
 oppression, but thev were fostered partly also by certain works 
 then appearing in Germany, which presented America in most 
 glowing and irresistible terms. The book which above all others 
 prompted emigration on a large scale was Gottfried Duden s Be- 
 richt uber eine Rcise nach den westlichen Stoat en Nord-Amerikas 
 
 19 See Der deutsche Roman, p. 171. 
 20 Cf. J. Schmidt: Gschte. d. deutsch. Lit. 5. Bd., p. 271. 
 "Cf. G. Korner: Das deutsche Element in den Vereinigten Staaten, p. 
 432. 
 
2O Fried-rich Armand Strubberg 
 
 und einen niehrjdhrigen Anfenthalt am Missouri in den Jahren 
 1824, 1825, 1826, 1827, in Bezug auf Auswanderung und Ubcr- 
 volkenmg, etc., Bonn, 1829. In spite of other works such as 
 Ludwig Gall s Mcine Auswanderung nach den Vereinigten Staa- 
 tcn in Nord-Amerika, im Frilhjahr 1819 und nieine Rilckkehr 
 nach der Heimath im Winter 1820. Trier, 1822, presenting in 
 the most pessimistic manner the darker sides of life in America, 
 the effects of Duden s work seem to have suffered no neutraliza 
 tion. Societies for the encouragement and assistance of emi 
 grants sprang up everywhere. Members of every class of society 
 were registered. The uprisings in 1832 and 1833, as a result of 
 the "Bundestag s Ordonnanzen" of 1831 increased emigration. 
 Between 1831-40 the number of emigrants rose to almost 
 i5O,ooo. 22 America had become a common meeting ground for 
 all nations. The intermingling of various nationalities, as it 
 occurred in America, is perhaps unparalleled in history. 
 
 If ever there was a time when the "Weltliteratur" 23 at which 
 Goethe had hinted could have been realized, it was at the begin 
 ning of the nineteenth century. In no other era was the time 
 for such a "Weltliteratur" so opportune as then. Never had 
 nations been so closely united, nor individuals stood within such 
 close communication. It was the era that introduced steam and 
 through it opened up possibilities before undreamed. The steam 
 boat and the locomotive were not only to revolutionize com 
 merce, but through them literature, and especially the novel, 
 was to take on new life. Spielhagen s pregnant essay Die epische 
 Dichtung unter dem wechselnden Zeichen des Verkehrs, though 
 written many years later, applies here. In it he says: "Aber 
 nicht allein bei den grossen Fragen der Menschheit, in deren Be- 
 antwortung sich die vorgeschrittenen Geister zu alien Zeiten be- 
 gegneten, zeigt die moderne Epik in ihren sammtlichen Erzeug- 
 nissen eine sich immer steigende Konvergenz; auch in dem 
 Kleinkram der Sitten und Gebrauche, iiber die eine Verstandi- 
 gung noch viel schwieriger ist, gleicht der Weltverkehr die tren- 
 
 ^Cf. G. Korner: D. deutsche Element, etc., p. 432. 
 
 23 Cf. Goethe s Werke. Cotta sche Ausg. (Goedeke). 18. Bd., pp. 64-66. 
 
Friedrich Annand Strubberg 21 
 
 nenden Unterschiede immer mehr aus. . . . Die odysseeische 
 Kenntniss fremder Lander, Stadte und Sitten, die im vorigen 
 Jahrhundert noch als Privileg verhaltnissmassig Weniger, be- 
 sonders Wohlsituirter war, verschaffen sich heute Tauseride und 
 Tausende mit dem Aufwand oft recht bescheidener Mittel; der 
 Handwerker von heute weiss, wenn nicht durch Autopsie, vermit- 
 telt durch sozialdemokratische und andere Kongresse, so durch 
 die Lektiire der Zeitungen mehr von den okonomischen und sitt- 
 lichen Zustanden der anderen Nationen als vormals so mancher 
 Gelehrte. Kann es uns da Wunder nehmen, wenn der Roman, 
 das Spiegelbild des Lebens, eine internationale Physiognomic ge- 
 winnt? . . . Und ganz gewiss ist es doch eine unabweisliche 
 Konsequenz des Verkehres von heute, dass seine Mittel . . . 
 ihren Verfassern eine Welt fruher nicht gekannter Anregungen 
 bieten, Kombinationen ermoglichen." 24 
 
 The state of affairs was a most remarkable one but more 
 remarkable still was the indifference on the part of the writers of 
 "Young Germany." There in America lay a vast amount of 
 material untouched, a splendid and absolutely fresh apparatus for 
 the German novelist. Goethe, always a pioneer, was not unmind 
 ful of the great source for literary material on the Western Con 
 tinent. We may be assured that it was only the advanced age 
 of the sage of Weimar, which prevented him from himself 
 employing such material. Under the title Stoff und Gehalt, zur 
 Bearbeltung vorgeschlagen, dated 1827, the poet makes some 
 very interesting suggestions for treating American material. 
 But Goethe s advice to the young writers of his old age as to the 
 employment of such material remained unheeded, perhaps for the 
 reason that none of the literary men to whom it was directed were 
 sufficiently acquainted with such material. The exotic novel has 
 shown itself to be peculiarly the product of the literary wanderer, 
 who, feeling himself too circumscribed by national boundaries, 
 prefers to be a cosmopolitan. 
 
 Such a wanderer was Carl Postl, born in the Austrian village 
 of Poppitz in 1793. Carl Postl early entered upon a church 
 
 "See Die Zukunft, 17. Bd., 1896, p. 172 f. 
 
 25 See Goethe s Werke. Cotta sche Ausg. (Goedeke). 18. Bd., p. 261 f. 
 
22 Fricdrich Annand Strnbberg 
 
 career. In 1813 he entered the "Kreuzherrenstift," in Prague 
 as a novice and in 1814 was dedicated to the priesthood. After 
 a number of years, the quiet and confinement of the monastery 
 became too oppressive to the young monk. In the spring of 1823 
 Postl fled from the monastery and in the fall of the same year 
 landed in New Orleans. In America and to the world at large 
 he was henceforth Charles Sealsfield. 26 Between the years 1823 
 and 1832 Sealsfield lived at various times in the United States, 
 Mexico, London, and Paris. The larger part of this period was, 
 however, spent in the two first-named countries. During his 
 sojourns there he had been a close observer of the customs and 
 manners of the people and had taken a lively interest in all the 
 phases of their activities. He became a citizen of the United 
 States and insisted on remainng so through all his later years in 
 Europe. It was during his stay in America that he first con 
 ceived those plans through which he created a new epoch in the 
 history of the German novel. Instead of having a single char 
 acter, he desired to operate with a whole people as his hero; its 
 public and private life, social, political, and religious, the clash 
 and conflict of the various cultures and nationalities represented, 
 w r ere all to be depicted. 27 It was a large program, and one which 
 demanded a man who was not confined or hampered by petty 
 national prejudices. It demanded a cosmopolitan, who stood 
 above and could gaze down upon the mad racial confusion in the 
 New World with an objective eye. Charles Sealsfield, a native 
 of Austria, citizen of the United States of America, an author 
 who wrote in French, German, and English, was certainly such a 
 cosmopolitan. German literature claims him only for the reason 
 that he chose to write most of his work in the German language. 
 By him the exotic threads were finally gathered up and given a 
 distinct literary form. 
 
 The exotic novel, as a distinct genre, one whose scene is laid 
 outside the country in whose language it is written, one which 
 brings together various nationalities, carefully delineating their 
 
 *Cf. A. B. Faust: Charles Sealsfield, der Dichter beider Hemispharen. 
 1897. 
 
 * Cf. Brockhaus Conversationslexikon. Sealsfield: Selbstbiographie. 
 
Frledrich Arniand Strubberg 23 
 
 ethnographic distinctions and endeavoring to describe the phe 
 nomena of nature of that country chosen for its scene of action, 
 which considers its flora and its fauna, first received shape at the 
 hands of Charles Sealsfield. 
 
 The exotic novel must in a sense be considered as an out 
 growth of the historical novel. It not infrequently hovers 
 between the historical novel and the modern "Zeitroman." Like 
 Scott, Sealsfield frequently employed material, which lay beyond 
 the experience of his own generation, but yet within the memory 
 of man. 28 The exotic novel links hands with the past and the 
 present. It developed along with the "Zeitroman" of Gutzkow, 
 Freytag, and Spielhagen, and may be considered a phase of the 
 same. 29 Even more than the "Zeitroman" it was instrumental 
 in hastening literary activity toward that realism which prevails 
 in the novel of today. 30 Sealsfield was aware of the fact that he 
 had created a new form of novelistic literature but seems to have 
 disclaimed any value for his works beyond the immediate time 
 in which they were read. He desired no new editions of his 
 works. When they were published first, their realistic accounts 
 of American life were true. In a land where conditions were 
 subject to such rapid changes, however, further editions would 
 be out of place. In America, it appeared to him, people cared no 
 longer about history; they lived only in the present. 31 
 
 For us of today it is in just this historical value that the 
 significance of the exotic novel lies. This significance was already 
 apparent to a publisher of Sealsfield s who in his preface to the 
 first edition of the Cajutenbuch in 1841 has occasion to remark: 
 
 28 Cf. Sealsfield s Der Legitime und die Republikaner. 1833. 
 
 Also Der Virey und die Aristokraten, oder Mexiko im Jahre 1812. 1834. 
 
 29 Cf . Faust s Charles Sealsfield, p. 19. 
 
 30 Sealsfield remarked to Kertbenny : "Ein gut Teil daher der t)berra- 
 schung und Fascinierung, den meine Romane hervorbrachten, 1st weniger 
 meiner individuellen Begabung zuzuschreiben, als dem Vprteile fur mich, dass 
 ich als erster ein derart bestimmtes Romangenre in die deutsche Literatur 
 einfiihrte, so ungeniert gleich auf diesem Terrain stehend, als ware es das 
 langstgewohnte auch Deutschlands. Dies Genre aber heisst: die Realitat, 
 jedoch durch tiefangelegte, psychologische Probleme zu kunstlerischem In- 
 teresse daran, gesteigert." 
 
 See Erinnerungen an Charles Sealsfield, von K. M. Kertbenny, 1864, p. 
 78 f. 
 
 * See Gottschall s Portr dts und Studien. I. Bd., p. 386. 
 
24 Fried-rich Armand Stnibbcrg 
 
 "Sie erinnern sich, dass der Verfasser es sich zwar nicht zur 
 Aufgabe gemacht hat, . . . aber doch den Beruf in sich zu fiih- 
 len scheint, die Zcitgeschichte und ihre wichtigeren Momente in 
 lebendigen plastischen Bildern der Welt darzustellen. . . . Zwar 
 wiinschen wir die Erwartung des Lesers keinerdings zu hoch zu 
 spannen; aber so viel diirfen wir doch getrost sagen, dass, ob- 
 wohl dieses Buch keine Pratension auf eigentlich geschichtlichen 
 Werth erhebt, der tiefer Blickende doch bald finden diirfte, wie 
 der dichterischen Hiille etwas sehr wesentlich Geschichtliches zu 
 Grunde liege." 
 
 Sealsfield was the first to carefully portray American life in 
 its diverse forms as it existed in the early decades of the nine 
 teenth century. Herein lies Sealsfield s legacy to America. 
 Sealsfield has photographed, as it were, a period in American 
 history, which as to realistic detail would have been largely lost 
 to us. Our own American novelists have, to be sure, treated 
 separate phases of our varied American life: Hawthorne has 
 preserved for us the Puritan; Bret Harte has given the Chinaman 
 a place in our literature; and George Cable the Creoles of Louisi 
 ana. However none of these have aimed at painting us on a 
 large canvass a picture of American life at some period in the 
 totality of that period. "The blunt, raw differences between 
 conflicting orders of civilization," writes Lida von Krockow, 
 "have never been depicted by any considerable school of American 
 novelists, however surprising the fact must appear, when one 
 considers the history and conglomerate population of America." 32 
 To depict such conflicting orders as he saw them in America was 
 the program Sealsfield undertook. A discussion of his works 
 would be out of place here. Sealsfield has fortunately received 
 careful attention and is still engaging the attention of scholars 
 today. 33 
 
 Sealsfield was succeeded by a group of writers of the exotic 
 novel who have not been so fortunate. Under their hands the 
 exotic novel began to assume other proportions. It no longer 
 
 82 See American Characters in Germ. Lit.; Atlantic Monthly, Dec., 1891. 
 
 83 Cf. Faust s Charles Sealsfield. Weimar, 1897. 
 
Friedrich Arm and Strubberg 25 
 
 confined itself to America. The greater number of Sealsfield s 
 immediate successors did identify themselves strictly with 
 America. Some of them have received a casual line in the works 
 of a few of our literary historians, others have not even fared 
 so well. Today, however, when American historians are slowly 
 beginning to analyze the cultural warp and woof that has entered 
 into the texture of our modern American culture, these men and 
 their works must engage our attention more specifically. They 
 are by no means mere followers of Sealsfield. They had nearly 
 all traveled in America and continued on the paths of realism 
 opened by Sealsfield, but quite independently and in some 
 Instances totally unaware of each other. Their importance, 
 especially for the American, lies first in the fact that they por 
 trayed in their works various communities during various periods 
 in our cultural history ; secondly, and more especially, in the fact 
 that they have followed the course of German emigration to the 
 Western Continent, portraying the life and vicissitudes of the 
 German in gaining a foothold among the Americans in the East 
 as well as on the extreme frontier and among the Indians in the 
 West, and described for us the fusing processes of the German 
 with the other racial ingredients in the great crucible of American 
 society. 
 
 The chief representatives of this group are Gerstarcker, Rup- 
 pius, Mollhausen, and Strubberg. Sealsfield (1793-1864) 
 has depicted Mexico and Texas in the periods of 1812-13, 
 and of 1835; he gives much attention also to planter life in 
 Louisiana. Friedrich Gerstacker (1816-72) portrayed life in 
 Mexico in the sixties, during the time of Maximilian. Otto 
 Ruppius (1819-64) had become perhaps the most popular writer 
 of this group through his Pedlar (1857) and a continuation of the 
 same, Das V ermdchtnis des Pedlars (1859), which give the 
 experiences of a young German in America. Baldwin Moll 
 hausen (1825-1905) has associated himself with the territory of 
 the Rocky Mountains and the Plateau of New Mexico, where he 
 had been in the fifties. Armand, pseudonym for Friedrich 
 Armand Strubberg (1806-1889) has more especially identified 
 himself with Mexico and Texas in the forties. It is the last- 
 
26 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 named author, who by virtue of the wealth of ethnographic detail 
 in his works, and the splendor of his descriptions of natural 
 scenery, of plants, and animals, stands second to Sealsfield only. 
 Through him the life of the Indians in Texas in the thirties and 
 forties, the beauties of the Cordilleras and the lonely grandeur 
 of the prairies, the early Germans in Texas, and especially the 
 endeavors of the "Mainzer Adelsverein" toward colonization, 
 together with the intense sufferings and hardships of these early 
 German colonists, first received adequate treatment in literature. 
 In spite of all this, it is just this writer who, strange as it may 
 seem, has been most neglected by literary historians. The dedica 
 tion of the following monograph to the life and work of Fried- 
 rich Armand Strubberg therefore needs no further justification. 
 
STRUBBERG AS HUNTSMAN 
 
 [After a Photograph in the possession of Oberst von Slrubberg, Erfurt.] 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 THE BioGRAPHY 1 OF STRUBBERG. 
 
 Friedrich Armand Strubberg, born in Kassel on March 18, 
 i8o6, 2 was the son of Heinrich Friedrich Strubberg, who was 
 a direct descendant of Landgrave Friedrich I of Hessen, after 
 wards King of Sweden. Landgrave Friedrich I (b. April 28, 
 1676) had in 1717 contracted a morganatic marriage with the 
 
 1 The chief sources for a biography of Strubberg are the following : 
 
 1. Otfrid Mylius (pseudonym for Karl Miiller, the novelist) : F. A. 
 Strubberg (Armand}, Kolnische Zeitung, Nr. 228, 2. Blatt, 18. Aug., 1889. 
 
 2. W. Bennecke : Aus Armand s Leben. Hessenland, Zeitschrift fur 
 hessische Geschichte und Literatur. Nr. 9, Kassel, 2. Mai, 1889; ibid., Nr. 
 10, Kassel, 16. Mai, 1889. 
 
 3. Ludwig Frankel: Strubberg, F. A. Allgemeine Deutsche Biorgaphie. 
 Bd. 36. 
 
 4. Georg Wolff: Altes und Neues uber Armand-Strubberg. Hessenland. 
 Nr. 24, 1911. 
 
 5. C. Neuber : Frederic Armand Strubberg. Vortrag, gehalten am 21. Feb. 
 im hessischen Geschichtsverein. Neue Casseler Zeitung. Cassel, Donnerstag, 
 d. 24. Feb., und Freitag, d. 25. Feb., 1910. 
 
 6. Carl Heinz Hill : Friedrich August Strubberg. Zu seinem hundertsten 
 Geburtstage. Die Heimstatt. Beilage zur Gelnhauser Zeitung. Nr. 3. I. 
 Marz, 1907. 
 
 7. Letters in the possession of the Thorbecke family, relatives of the 
 author in Mannheim. 
 
 8. Autobiographical material in Strubberg s works. 
 
 9. Personal recollections gathered from friends of the author. 
 
 3 The date of Strubberg s birth has been subject to frequent error. Franz 
 Bornmuller s Biographisches Schriftstellerlexikon der Gegenwart, Lpz., 1882; 
 Briimmer s Lexikon der deutschen Dichter und Prosaisten des 19. Jahrhun- 
 derts, Lpz., 1901; Heinrichsen s Das literarische Deutschland, Berlin, 1891-92; 
 Ludwig Frankel in the A. D. B.; and the lexika of Meyer and Brockhaus, 
 all give the date of his birth as May 18, 1808. 
 
 On a little note, however, which was written by the author s mother, and 
 now in the possession of Frau Inspektor Lenkmann of Kassel, we read: 
 
 Unser lieber Fritz ist gebohren d. iSten Marz, 1806, abends um halb olfe. 
 D. 2ten Marz 1807 lief er allein. D. 2oten Juni wurden ihm die Schutzboken 
 eingeimpft. 
 
 Further proof is the inscription in the Kirchenbuch der Oberneustddter 
 franzosischen Gemeinde, Kassel: Geboren 18. Marz, 1806. Frederic Armand, 
 Sphn des Kauf- und Handelmanns Henri Frederic Strubberg Elise Mar- 
 ville, getauft 13. April, 1806. 
 
 The Casseler Policey- und Commercien-Zeitung, 21. April, 1806, includes 
 among those baptized from April 9-15, 1806, in the Oberneustadter franzosi 
 schen Gemeinde, Frederic Armand, Sohn des Kauf- und Handelmanns Henri 
 Frederic Strubberg. 
 
 Accordingly Armand, which Strubberg employed as his nom de plume, 
 is not an assumed, but a baptismal name. The form Friedrich August Strub 
 berg, which occasionally appears, is therefore not warranted. 
 
 (27) 
 
28 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 widow of the Dutch general, Count Wilmsdorf-Brevendorf, 
 which marriage was dissolved in 1720, when the Landgrave mar 
 ried the Queen of Sweden and himself ascended the Swedish 
 throne. Of the above morganatic marriage was born one 
 daughter, Anna Amalie, who married Christian Heinrich Strub 
 berg (councillor of the board of domains in Cleve) 3 in 1741. 
 Of this marriage was born Friedrich Rudolph Strubberg (later 
 Kommercienrat in Emmerich). The latter married Emilie Cor- 
 desse. At the birth of their son Heinrich Friedrich in 1762 the 
 parents resided in Holland. Heinrich Friedrich, the father of 
 our author, however, had later come to Kassel at the instance 
 of his brother-in-law, Andries Hendrik Thorbecke, a tobacco 
 merchant in Kassel, who had participated in the endeavors to 
 rescue the treasures of the electoral house of Hessen from the 
 French and was obliged to flee to Holland. 4 Heinrich Friedrich 
 Strubberg developed in time an extensive tobacco trade and 
 became one of the most influential and respected citizens in old 
 Kassel. In 1804 he had married the talented Frederique Elise 
 Marville, daughter of Armand Frangois Marville, Kanzleiregis- 
 trator to Landgrave Friedrich II. 5 At the time of the author s 
 birth, the parents occupied what was in those days considered a 
 palatial residence situated on Oberkonigstrasse near the Royal 
 Palace. 6 Adjoining the residence was a beautiful garden witH 
 a greenhouse whose rare plants even attracted the Landgrave to 
 visit the Strubbergs personally. 
 
 Heinrich Friedrich Strubberg s wealth, his position as one 
 of the foremost tobacco merchants in Germany, the aristocratic 
 manner in which he conducted his household, and not least his 
 
 * Cf. The Strubberg "Stammbaum" in the possession of the Thorbecke 
 family in Mannheim. 
 
 See also the Strubberg letters in the Appendix of this work. 
 4 Cf. Zum Stammbaum der Familie Strubberg in Hessenland. Nr. 4, 
 1912. 
 
 * See Die Familie Strubberg, Von Archivar Dr. Karl Knetsch-Marburg, 
 Hessenland. Nr. 3, 1912. 
 
 6 The house has since been rebuilt and is now occupied by the Residenz- 
 Cafe. To the rear, now Wolfschlucht 12, is an old structure which was for 
 merly the tobacco warehouse of the Strubbergs. It has been transformed 
 into a dwelling-house, but is still known to the older citizens of Kassel as 
 the "Tabaksdose." 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 29 
 
 cultured and artistic wife, placed the family among the most 
 influential in Kassel. The Strubberg home was the gathering 
 place for the local literary coterie, among which were such poets 
 as Dingelstedt and Ernst Koch, the author of Prinz Rosa 
 Stratum. 1 
 
 Among such happy and stimulating surroundings Fritz 
 Strubburg spent his earliest years. In spite of the fact that the 
 father was greatly hampered in his vast business enterprise by the 
 Napoleonic embargo, his son was given the best instruction that 
 wealth could afford. Nor was his physical education neglected; 
 especially was he trained to ride and shoot, accomplishments which 
 were in his later life to prove of great advantage to him. But 
 above all else, the untiring activity, the energy, and integrity of 
 his father, were the factors that conduced most to the molding 
 of his son s strong individuality. 
 
 In 1822 Fritz Strubberg, then an alert, well-knit youth of 
 sixteen, went to Bremen and entered one of the large mercantile 
 houses there as an unsalaried clerk. He was to fit himself 
 for a business career. International traffic such as he had full 
 opportunity to witness and know intimately in this old sea-port 
 town only enthused him the more and determined him to become 
 a merchant. In a short time he had won the recognition of his 
 employers and been promoted to a more responsible position. 
 Strubberg was at this time a tall, slender youth with noble, well- 
 defined features and fascinating manners. He already possessed 
 that chivalry of deportment and certain justifiable consciousness 
 of power which characterized his later life. 
 
 In 1826 Strubberg had won the affections of Antoinette, the 
 daughter of Johann Gottfried Sattler, a prominent merchant in 
 Bremen. A cousin of the young lady, who himself had hoped to 
 win her hand, in a fit of jealousy openly sought a quarrel with 
 the young lover. The result was a duel, in which Strubberg shot 
 and wounded his rival to such a degree that he found it wisest 
 to flee. And whither? To the German youth of that day there 
 
 T Cf. Jeanette Bramer: Aus "Annand s" Leben, Hessenland, 1899. S. 150, 
 151. 
 
30 Friedrich Armand Strubbcrg 
 
 could be only one answer: America! Strubberg at once 
 embarked on a vessel thither. For the next three years he 
 remained in America, making extensive journeys there for vari 
 ous mercantile houses. Strubberg wove most of the episodes of 
 his long and varied life in America into his novels. Concerning 
 this first stay in America he is unfortunately remarkably silent. 
 Very little can therefore be said of this period of his life with 
 any degree of definiteness. These few verses at the beginning 
 of the twentieth chapter of his novel Bis in die Wildniss: 
 
 "Selbst sollst den Schutz du deiner Ehre geben. 
 Doch dazu musst ein guter Schutz du sein, 
 Wirfst in die Schaal du dann dein eigen Leben 
 Gehoret jedes andre Leben dein!" 
 
 possibly refer to the duel in Bremen. In the same Strub 
 berg lets the hero Armand (the author himself), who is mak 
 ing a journey to America, pass a few remarks concerning a 
 previous visit : "Er hatte schon friiher, beinahe noch Knabe, 
 eine Reise nach Amerika gemacht und dasselbe von Norden 
 nach Siiden durchwandert und nun wieder eine Reihe von Jah- 
 ren in seiner deutschen Heimath unter den Freunden seiner Ju- 
 gend verlebt." 8 Of the same visit he again remarks: ". . . ich 
 habe eigentlich nur den Norden Amerika s besucht und bin nicht 
 weiter nach Suden gekommen, als nach Nord-Carolina." In a 
 later work, in which Strubberg again introduces himself as Ar 
 mand, he says: "Es war im Friihling des Jahres 1828, als die 
 schlanke amerikanische Brigg, Lady Adams, sich auf der im Son- 
 nenlichte spiegelnden und glanzenden Chesapeake-Bai hinauf- 
 schaukelte und einen einzelnen Passagier, einen noch sehr jun- 
 gen Deutschen, Namens Armand, der neuen Welt zutrug." 10 
 
 In October, 1828, he visited Niagara Falls. 11 His impres- 
 
 8 See Armand s Bis in die Wildniss. 2. Aufl. 1863, p. 16. 
 
 Ibid, p. 75- 
 
 10 See Armand s Der Krosus von Philadelphia. Weimar, 1895. Vol. II, p. 
 243- 
 
 " This visit is confirmed by a photograph of a sketch of Niagara Falls, 
 now in the possession of Herrn Franz Beck, Gelnhausen. It is signed : F. A. 
 Strubberg, 6. Oktober, 1828. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 31 
 
 sions he afterwards used to good purpose. 12 Strubberg had pros 
 pered in his work and had every reason to look forward to a 
 successful career in America, when circumstances in his father s 
 business affairs led him to return to Germany late in the autumn 
 of 1829. 
 
 The extensive business of Strubberg s father, in consequence 
 of the unfortunate duty which the many petty German princi 
 palities at that time selfishly imposed on each other, was grad 
 ually being ruined. Heinrich Strubberg had built up his business 
 on a scale that demanded the patronage of all Germany, but in 
 consequence of the high duties on all tobacco products, he was 
 dependent for his sales mainly on the electoral principality of 
 Hessen-Kassel, and these sales were relatively so small that the 
 invested capital could no longer yield the necessary dividends. 
 
 Strubberg therefore remained with his father and gave him 
 his support in this financial crisis, in the hooe that the German 
 Embargo Association, which was about to be organized, would 
 bring relief. The next seven or eight years were devoted to his 
 father s business, years concerning which we know little. Strub 
 berg appears to have established a branch to his father s tobacco 
 industry in the near-by town of Miinden. Meanwhile this finan 
 cial crisis had apparently no effect on the extravagant mode of 
 life the Strubberg family had hitherto enjoyed. Concerning the 
 appearance and actions of our author during these years, W. 
 Bennecke, a personal friend of Strubberg s, has left us a few 
 interesting remarks: "Strubberg s Eltern machten in Kassel ein 
 grosses Haus und der damals in voller Jugendbliithe sthende 
 Fritz erschien als der verzogene Liebling des Gliicks. Es wehte 
 durch jene Zeit noch ein romantischer Zug, und man scheute sich 
 nicht, denselben auch im Ausseren zu erkennen zu geben. Der 
 junge Strubberg besass eine gliihende Phantasie, eine ausspre- 
 chende Personlichkeit und war der Sohn eines reichen Kaufherrn, 
 was fehlte ihm also, um der Lowe des Tages zu sein? Noch er- 
 innerte man sich seiner, wie er iiber den Friedrichsplatz, von aus- 
 
 " See Armand s Der Sprung vom Niagarafalle. 1864. Vol. II, p. 205 f. 
 
 Also Armand s Ralph Norwood. 1860. Vol. IV, p. 140 f. 
 
 Also Armand s Vornehm und Biirgerlich in the Krefelder Zeitung, 1878. 
 
32 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 erlesenen Ruden begleitet im phantastischen Kostiim a la Abal- 
 lino zur Jagd auszog und die Bewunderung der Damen erregte." 13 
 This child of fortune was only too soon to face the bitter realities 
 of life. The Strubbergs were incapable of placing the business 
 on a sure footing again, and the industry passed into other hands. 
 Young Strubberg was henceforth obliged to depend on his own 
 resources. His adventurous spirit again directed his attention 
 to the New World. At the close of the thirties we see him Abound 
 once more for America, where he hoped no doubt to realize even 
 his fondest dreams. Practically our only source for a more de 
 tailed account of his life in America are those parts of his works 
 in which he has chosen to recount his own experiences. 
 
 This second journey to America Strubberg has described in 
 his work Bis in die Wildniss, the hero of which is Armand, under 
 which name we recognize the author himself. While Strubberg 
 has no doubt permitted himself a certain literary freedom, the 
 general account of his travels as outlined in this work, may be 
 considered fairly reliable. Strubberg appears to have embarked 
 at Rotterdam for New Orleans, journeyed thence by water to 
 Mobile and overland to Charleston, S. C. After a short rest he 
 proceeded to Wilmington, N. C., and thence by rail to Richmond, 
 Virginia; here he took a steamer to Baltimore, and then jour 
 neyed by rail to New York, where he became a commission mer 
 chant for European houses. While New York was apparently 
 his center, he seems also to have conducted shipments in the ports 
 of Baltimore, Richmond and Havana. 
 
 His thorough business ability soon acquired for him a certain 
 position of respect, which gave him entrance to superior social 
 circles. In New York Strubberg became engaged to a young 
 American heiress, but again met a bitter opponent in the person 
 of a cousin, who endeavored to hinder the marriage of the young 
 lady with the intention of himself becoming heir to her estate. 14 
 The outcome was a pistol duel in which Strubberg killed the 
 
 18 W. Bennecke: Aus Armand s Leben in Hessenland. Nr. 9, Kassel, 2. 
 Mai, 1889. 
 
 " Cf. Otf rid Mylius : Kolnische Zeitung, 18. Aug., 1889. 
 See also Armand s Bis in die Wildniss. Vol. Ill, p. 115 f. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 33 
 
 cousin and was obliged to leave New York in haste in order to 
 escape legal prosecution. He also found it expedient to assume 
 another name. In Bis in die Wildniss the name is Mr. Frederik, 
 but it is more probable that he already assumed that name under 
 which he lived many years on the Texan frontier, namely: 
 Schubbert. On fleeing from New York Strubberg went by rail 
 to Cincinnati by way of Philadelphia, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, 
 arriving in Cincinnati on the evening of the fifth day. This 
 episode in Strubberg s life so like that which he had suffered in 
 Germany in his earlier years, seems to have embittered him 
 against society, and he resolved to seek happiness on the extreme 
 frontier, where culture and an unnatural civilization had not yet 
 made their blighting inroads. The thought that genuine happi 
 ness can only exist away from the complicated conditions of mod 
 ern life, and the Rousseauian idea that life is at its best when 
 nearest to nature, had taken firm root in his mind and can be 
 traced through most of his works. "Ja," says Armand, wearied 
 by misfortunes, and longing for the peace and quiet of frontier 
 life, "alter treuer Freund, ich gehe da hin, wo sie mich wohl nicht 
 storen werden." "Doch nicht nach Europa zuriick?" "Nein, nicht 
 aus dem Regen in die Traufe; ich bin es miide, Rody, wie ein 
 Ball von dem Schicksal herum geworfen zu werden, . . ," 15 
 
 With a view to finding a suitable place for settlement in 
 Texas, Strubberg boarded a vessel at Cincinnati for the Missis 
 sippi. A short distance from Louisville, the steamer, through an 
 accident, sank, but Strubberg after some difficulty, succeeded 
 with others in reaching the shore. Later the vessel was raised 
 and he regained his possessions, but their condition was such that 
 he was obliged to equip himself anew for further travel- 
 While Strubberg was delayed in Louisville, Kentucky, he made 
 the acquaintance of a German Professor in the Medical School 
 of that place, who took an interest in his fellow countryman. 
 He tried to persuade Strubberg to remain and study medicine. 
 "Louisville," says Strubberg, "1st eine der solidesten Universitaten 
 der Vereinigten Staaten, und namentlich war damals als die medi- 
 
 15 See Armand s Bis in die Wildniss. Vol. Ill, p. 127. 
 
34 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 cinische Facultat besonders gut besetzt." 16 Strubberg thought 
 a knowledge of medicine must certainly be of frequent use to 
 him in his prospective remote life. He allowed himself there 
 fore to be persuaded, attended the medical school with untiring 
 zeal for two years, and received the diploma of Doctor of Medi 
 cine. 17 He now went to Memphis accompanied by a bloodhound, 
 which was to be for many years his tried and faithful friend. 
 Here he bought a fine white stallion, the "Schimmelhengst Zaar," 
 which plays so prominent a role in several of his novels. This 
 stallion was sired by one of the six Berber stallions presented to 
 President Taylor by the Sultan of Morocco. From Memphis, 
 Strubberg journeyed down the Mississippi to New Orleans, where 
 he visited the English Consul Stamford 18 in order to consult 
 him about the proposed trip to the West of Texas. Returning 
 to Memphis and taking possession of the stallion, he crossed the 
 Mississippi and proceeded westward. Cutting across Arkansas 
 by way of Little Rock, he reached the border town of Ultima 
 Thule (not a fictitious name) ; thence he proceeded through a 
 section of Choctaw Indian land, crossed the Red River and now 
 found himself on Texan territory. After several days the small 
 town of Dallas was reached. Following a mighty stream which 
 he supposed from the maps of the Consul to be the Rio Grande, 
 he met a larger river into which the former emptied. This was 
 the Rio Grande, and the former the Rio Puerco. Following a 
 buffalo path, he arrived after several days at the banks of the 
 Leona with which he was to become so closely associated during 
 the following years. Speaking of this spot, he says: "Der 
 Reichthum des Bodens, die Schonheit der Umgebung, die Uppig- 
 keit der Pflanzenwelt und die Masse des Wildes aller Art, das 
 
 16 See Bis in die Wildniss. Vol. Ill, p. 159. 
 
 " Strubberg was never reluctant in speaking of his own merits, whether 
 real or imagined. He seems to have taken great pride in being termed Doctor. 
 In his works he is constantly alleviating sick people. In Texas he is still 
 known as Doctor Schubbert. In Gelnhausen, where he spent his last years, 
 he is still spoken of as Doctor Strubberg. In one of his letters (see Appendix) 
 he writes : "Ich zahlte damals zu einem der ersten Arzte Amerikas. . . ." 
 
 18 Stamford, according to Strubberg, had written a book on Texas, which 
 the writer has, however, not been able to find. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 35 
 
 diese Fluren bewohnte, bestimmten ihn, diesen Ort zu seinem 
 Wohnsitz zu machen, . . ," 19 
 
 Strubberg had at last found a suitable place and now returned 
 to Memphis to make final arrangements. Journeying by way 
 of San Antonio, he rode northeast over vast prairie lands, crossed 
 the Colorado to Austin, then the seat of government of the 
 Republic of Texas, proceeded by way of Nacogdoches to Natchez, 
 whence he returned by steamer to Memphis. Here he advertised 
 for a few trustworthy men, who would be willing to share with 
 him the solitude of the wilderness, and the trials and hardships 
 which such a life would certainly entail. He succeeded in finding 
 three such men : 20 one by profession a saddler, another a carpen 
 ter, and a third an agriculturalist. 
 
 With these men, one wagon, one cart, horses, mules, cattle, 
 and his bloodhound, Strubberg now set out for the chosen spot 
 along the Leona. From Memphis the party was conveyed by a 
 steamer to the mouth of the Red River, whence another steamer 
 was taken to Shreveport, near Lake Caddo. From the latter 
 place they reached the Leona by way of San Antonio. 
 
 In the following opening lines of his first work, the author 
 has described his lonely frontier home : "An dem Fusse der Berge 
 des Rio Grande (Rio Bravo), den Auslaufern der Cordilleren, 
 an den steilen hohen Ufern der Leone, eines der vielen ostlichen 
 Nebenfliisse dieses gewaltigen Stromes des westlichen Amerikas, 
 stand meine Wohnung, welche auf den drei vorderen Seiten mit 
 einer vierzehn Fuss hohen Wand von aufrecht stehenden gespal- 
 tenen Baumen umgeben war. An den beiden vorderen Ecken die- 
 ser Einzaunung waren kleine Vorbauten von demselben Material 
 angebracht, um fur den Fall eines Angriffes durch die feindlichen 
 Indianer die Seiten jener Pallisadirung beschiessen zu konnen. 
 Auf der siidlichen Seite des Flusses, auf welcher ich wohnte, 
 streckten sich unabsehbare wellenformige, iippige Grasflachen 
 (Prairien) seinen Ufern entlang, wahrend die nordliche Seite 
 mehrere Stunden breit mit dem dichtesten Urwald bedeckt war. 
 
 19 Bis in die Wildniss. Vol. IV, p. 186. 
 
 10 According to Strubberg they were Germans. 
 
 See Amerikan. Jagd- u. Reise-Abenteuer, p. I, 
 
36 Fried-rich Armand Stmbberg 
 
 Nach Westen tmd Norden hatte ich durchaus keine civilisirtc 
 Nachbarschaft, und auch gegeri Osten und Siiden war die nachste 
 Ansiedelung mindestens achtzig Stunden von mir entfernt." 21 
 Further on he speaks of the interior of his home : "Mein Haus 
 bestand nur aus einem grossen Zimmer, clessen Wande und Decke 
 mit den schonsten dunkelgelockten Biiffelhauten tapezirt waren, 
 wahrend den Fussboden ein Teppich von glatten Sommerhirsch- 
 hauten iiberzog. Mein Bett deckte die Haut eines prachtig gefleck- 
 ten Jaguars und vor demselben breitete sich eine rabenschwarze 
 Barenhaut aus, auf welcher Trust sein Lager hatte." 22 
 
 Here in this lonely frontier home Strubberg spent a number 
 of happy years under the assumed name of Dr. Schubbert. 23 
 The arrival of a white man was a great event for the secluded 
 pioneers. Once in a long while a trapper or bee hunter chanced 
 by. Being eighty hours from the nearest settlement it was very 
 seldom indeed that Strubberg came into touch with the exterior 
 world. Several times during the year he packed the accumu 
 lated hides, as well as wax and tallow, on mules and carried them 
 to market, returning with implements, powder and lead, and such 
 provisions as their own cattle and cultivated soil did not yield. 
 At such times mail was deposited and received, a fresh store of 
 books was obtained, 24 and then communication with the outer 
 world was again interrupted for six months. 
 
 The writer has taken the liberty of describing at length 
 Strubberg s advance to the West and his settlement on the ex 
 treme frontier of Texas, for the reason that this pioneer (in the 
 truest sense of the word) had penetrated farther West in that 
 specific territory than any other white man, if we perhaps except a 
 chance trapper or bee hunter. That he should have settled here 
 and remained for several years encouraging others to settle in those 
 remote and dangerous parts, is a fact which must be of the great- 
 
 21 See Amerikan. Jagd- u. Reise-Abenteuer, p. i. 
 
 *Ibid, p. 115- 
 
 33 How long S. remained here can not be stated with definiteness. We are 
 inclined to judge that he remained here about four or five years. 
 
 "From Amerikan. Jagd- u. Reise-Abenteuer, p. 33, we infer that S. had 
 books forwarded him from New York and also from Europe. 
 
Frledrich Armand Strubberg 37 
 
 est significance to the student of the cultural history of the 
 Germans in America. 
 
 "Allein der Deutsche stand in diesen Reichen, 
 Die keines Weissen Fuss vor ihm beschritt; 
 Die Wildniss trug nicht der Gesittung Zeichen, 
 Nur wilder Thiere, wilder Menschen Tritt." 25 
 
 But this idyllic life here on the rolling prairies far from the 
 haunts of men was not long to remain undisturbed. News of 
 Strubberg s settlement, his successes there, the richness of the 
 soil, the desirability of the climate, had reached the Eastern 
 States, and it was not long till other pioneers advanced and set 
 tled in the same vicinity. Many of them were outcasts of society, 
 who had come to the West to satisfy their own greedy desires 
 and to indulge those passions, which society did not permit. 
 Later, too, the Southern slave-owner advanced and took up huge 
 plantations. Within a few years the once beautiful hunting- 
 grounds had been converted into vast cotton fields. Strubberg 
 had fled from society only to be again overtaken by it. The fort 
 ress on the Leona had come to be undesirable and its owner 
 sought new fields of activity. 
 
 Strubberg now entered upon one of the most interesting 
 years in his adventurous career, namely : the year in which he 
 was associated with the "Mainzer Adels-Verein." On account 
 of the significance of the "Verein" in Strubberg s later literary 
 activity and the fact that his connections with the same have never 
 been accurately stated, it may be permitted to dwell somewhat 
 at length upon the matter. 
 
 Texas, as a part of Mexico, had been under Spanish rule 
 up to the year 1821. In the same year Mexico declared itself 
 independent of Spain, and from that time really dates the begin 
 ning of colonization in Texas. In 1821 a band of fifty-three men 
 of various nationalities landed on the coast of Texas. They had 
 come from New Orleans. Of these fifty-three men six were 
 
 38 See Friedrichsburg : ein Gedenkblatt zum Jubilaum der Ansiedlung. Von 
 F. H. Lohmann. In the Fest-Ausgabe zum jo-jahrigen Jubilaum der Grun- 
 dung der deutschen Kolonie Friedrichsburg. Friedrichsburg, 1896. After this 
 Fest-Ausgabe. 
 
38 Fried rich Armand Strubberg 
 
 Germans, probably the first German settlers in Texas. 26 The 
 government of Mexico, desirous of colonizing its border state 
 Texas, assigned large grants of land for that purpose to various 
 colonizers (Empressarios) who had pledged themselves to get a 
 certain number of families to settle on the said land. These 
 colonizers found a ready support in the planters of the South, 
 in whose minds the plan to separate Texas from Mexico and 
 incorporate it into the United States as a slave state, thus gain 
 ing new support in Congress for their own interests, seems 
 already to have been present. 27 March 2, 1836, Texas declared 
 its independence and proclaimed itself a republic. The Empres 
 sarios who had earlier received grants of land from the Mexican 
 government, now desired to attract German immigrants, and to 
 that end advertised in the papers and sent out agents. Many 
 German immigrants were thus led to suitable settlements ; others 
 unfortunately fell victims to self-interested land sharks. 
 
 In 1842 a movement was begun in Germany to organize 
 German emigration to Texas. To Count Karl of Kastell, an 
 officer in the Austrian garrison in the fortress at Mainz, belongs 
 the credit of organizing. April 20, 1842, about fourteen German 
 princes and counts gathered in Biebrich on the Rhine. The fol 
 lowing document was drawn up and signed: "Wir Endesunter- 
 schriebene erklaren andurch dass wir zum Zwecke Ankaufs von 
 Landereien im Freistaate Texas unter heutigem Datum uns als 
 Gesellschaft constituirt haben . Biebrich, den 20. April 1842." 
 
 On the same day it was resolved that two of the number 
 should be sent to Texas to investigate territories suitable for 
 colonization. Counts Boos-Waldeck and Victor Leiningen were 
 appointed to undertake the journey. They sailed in May, 1842. 
 Count Leiningen requested a grant of land from the Texan gov 
 ernment for colonizing purposes with the condition that the colon 
 ists be exempt from taxes for the first several years, which con 
 dition was, however, not approved by the government. The 
 Count insisted but was finally obliged to return to Germany 
 
 " See Fest-Ausgabe, p. 18. 
 
 17 Cf. Franz Loher: Geschichte und Zustdnde der Deutschen in Amerika. 
 Cincinnati, 1847, p. 348 f. 
 
Friedrich Annand Stnibberg 39 
 
 defeated in his plans. Count Boos-Waldeck, however, remained 
 in Texas, established the Nassau plantation and finally withdrew 
 his membership in the "Verein." 
 
 In June, 1843, tne "Verein" was reorganized into a stock 
 company. At a General Assembly held March 25, 1844, a con 
 stitution was adopted. It was further declared that the "Verein" 
 was to foster no financial or political projects. 28 The company 
 was to dedicate itself solely to the organizing, aiding, and con 
 ducting of emigrants to Texas. Its official name was to be : 
 Gesellschaft zum Schutze der deutschen Auswanderer nach Texas. 
 It was popularly called the "Mainzer Adelsverein" or simply the 
 "Adelsverein." 
 
 Prinz Karl zu Solms-Braunfels, who had been appointed 
 general agent for the company, sailed with d Orvanne for Texas 
 in May, 1844. This d Orvanne was a French land speculator, 
 who had sold the company a land contract which, as was after 
 wards found, was already null at the time of purchase. In the 
 absence of these two, the company was gulled once more by the 
 two German land speculators, Fischer and Miller, who had sold 
 the company a grant of land lying so far in the interior of 
 Texas, that no one had ever seen it. It was later discovered that 
 the grant bought from Fischer and Miller was in reality no grant 
 at all. It was simply a contract, which stated that, if a third of 
 6000 families had settled on said land by March i, 1846; that 
 if, further, each colonist had dwelt on the estate assigned to him 
 three consecutive years, built a house, and hedged in and tilled 
 fifteen acres of land, then the estate was to become that colon 
 ist s property. 
 
 Meanwhile the company was making all arrangements for 
 its first shipment of emigrants to Texas in the autumn of 1844. 
 The company had advertised its projects through the length and 
 breadth of Germany. Each adult emigrant, on payment of 300 
 gulden, was to receive 40 acres of land and free passage; the 
 
 "The entirely disinterested purpose of the "Verein" has been questioned. 
 Cf. Fest-Ausgabe, p. 23. 
 
 Cf. also W. von Rosenberg: Kritik der Geschichte des Vereins zum 
 Schutze der deutschen Auswanderer nach Texas. Fredericksburg, Texas. 
 
4O Friedrich Annand Strubbcrg 
 
 father of every family on payment of 600 gulden was to receive 
 80 acres of land and free passage for all the members of his 
 family. In the first year 150 families had made arrangements 
 with the company to emigrate. 
 
 Prinz Solms had endeavored to reach the lands specified by 
 Fischer s and Miller s so-called grant. The farther the Prince 
 penetrated Texas, however, the more he became convinced that 
 the remoteness of the land, and its location among hostile Indian 
 tribes made settlement there quite out of the question. The 
 responsibility of his position demanded action. Upon the sug 
 gestion of the German botanist Lindheimer, 29 who had been in 
 Texas and Mexico for some time, the Prince resolved to purchase 
 a tract of land at the confluence of the Comal and the Guadalupe 
 rivers and on the road from the coast to the so-called grant. 
 
 In November, 1844, the "J onann Detthard," a Bremen ship, 
 brought the first immigrants; in December of the same year, the 
 "Ferdinand" and the "Herschel" arrived, bringing in all about 
 700 persons. In March, 1845, tnev were conducted to the land 
 bought along the Guadalupe by Prinz Solms, and the settlement 
 was called Neu-Braunfels after Prinz Solms ancestral home on 
 the Lahn. February 24, 1845, Herr von Meusebach was 
 appointed to succeed Prinz Solms as general agent, Prinz Solms 
 returning to Germany. In December of the same year Meuse 
 bach was informed that the "Verein" was transporting 4304 
 more emigrants. In view of the arrival of so great a number of 
 people Meusebach sent an expedition to make roads and clear a 
 tract of 1000 acres of land on the north bank of the Pierdenales, 
 about 80 miles northwest of Neu-Braunfels. This was to become 
 the town of Friedrichsburg, 30 named for Friedrich von Preussen, 
 a member of the "Adelsverein." Meanwhile over 4000 immi 
 grants had been landed on the coast of Texas. For various rea- 
 
 * Cf. Wanderungen durch Texas, etc., von Frederick Law Olmsted, aus 
 dem Englischen. Leipzig, 1857, p. 120 f. 
 
 10 W. Bennecke in Hessenland, Nr. 10, 2. Mai, 1889, erroneously supposes 
 the town to be named for Friedrich Strubberg. Here Strubberg is also termed 
 the "Stadtegriinder," for which extravagant title Strubberg is probably himself 
 responsible. 
 
Friedrich Arniand Strubberg 41 
 
 sons they could not be transported from the coast to their des 
 tination. Conveyances could only be had at exorbitant prices, 
 because they were then demanded for use in the war with Mexico ; 
 also the weather had made the new roads quite impassable. The 
 colonists were obliged to camp on the coast where they found 
 miserable shelter in wooden sheds, tents, and mud huts. The 
 winter of 1845-1846 was a very rainy one. The wretched 
 climate, poor food, and insufficient shelter, brought on contagious 
 diseases, which, in addition to moral disintegration, reduced 
 these unfortunate immigrants to the lowest depths of misery. 
 About 250 had enlisted during this time in the army and fought 
 against Mexico, only too glad to get away from such pitiable 
 surroundings ; others were scattered about the immediate vicinity ; 
 still others started in small groups on the road to Neu-Braunfels, 
 leaving a trail of graves behind them. Those who arrived in 
 the settlements of Neu-Braunfels and Friedrichsburg were only 
 welcomed by further want and disease. It is estimated that 
 i ocx) immigrants perished in this unfortunate colonizing venture. 
 Such was the condition of affairs, when Dr. Schubbert, in 
 whom we recognize Strubberg, was recommended to Meusebach 
 as a capable physician and colonizer, and appointed by the latter 
 as colonial director of Friedrichsburg. In Friedrichsburg, die 
 Colonic des dcutschen Fursten-Vereins in Texas, Strubberg 
 speaks at length of the founding of Friedrichsburg. Calling 
 himself Dr. Schubbert, 31 he writes : "Schon mehrere Tausend 
 der Unglitcklichen waren Opfer der Verhaltnisse geworden, als 
 man Doctor Schubbert zu Hiilfe rief, ihm das Directorium iiber- 
 gab, und er zngleich die Behandlung sammtlicher Kranken iiber- 
 nahm. Er Hess diese aus dem Urwald an der Guadelupe, wo sie 
 Hiitte an Hiitte und Zelt an Zelt zusammen gedrangt lagen, 
 hinaus in das Freie schaffen, worauf die Krankheit bald ihren 
 epidemischen bosartigen Charakter verier, bald war sie vollstan- 
 dig beseitigt, und nur die Nachwehen zeigten sich noch in gut- 
 artiger Weise als leichte intermittirende Fieber. 
 
 81 Strubberg uses the form "Schubbert" ; his contemporary colonists use 
 Schubert" in the Fest-Ausgabe. 
 
42 Fricdrich Armand St rubbery 
 
 "Doctor Schubbert sorgte nun fur bessere Verpflegung der 
 Schutzbefohlenen des Vereins, sowie fiir den Transport derer, 
 die noch an der Seekiiste lagerten, er griindete ein Waisenhaus 
 und brachte die vielen alternlosen verlassenen Kinder darin unter, 
 und er trat versohnend und vermittelnd zwischen die Generaldi- 
 rection und die Emigranten. Nachdem die Zustande in Neu- 
 Braunfels wieder ein freundlicheres Ansehen gewonnen batten, 
 fiihrte er gegen fiinfzig Familien hundert Meilen weiter nordlich 
 in die Gebirge, wo jenseits des Pierdenalesflusses die zweite Nie- 
 derlassung, die Stadt Friedrichsburg, gebaut wurde." 32 
 
 From this passage it is at once apparent, that Strubberg has 
 introduced his experiences with a good deal of literary freedom. 
 From it we infer that he was also active in Neu-Braunfels which 
 is, however, not corroborated by any external historical evidence. 
 He attempts throughout the above-named work to give us a clear 
 picture of the "Verein s" attempts at colonization and only 
 naturally speaks of his own service in rather glowing terms. 
 
 However effective Strubberg may have been in his capacity 
 of colonial director, his character as Doctor Schubbert seems to 
 have been held in disfavor by some of the early colonists. In 
 the Fest-Ausgabe, the only detailed source, exclusive of Strub- 
 berg s own works, for this period of the author s life, the fol 
 lowing incidents regarding Strubberg as Kolonial-Direktor 
 Schubbert are related : 33 
 
 "Durch H. F. Fischer wurde Meusebach in Houston ein 
 Dr. Schubert als tikhtiger Arzt und Kolonisator empfohlen und 
 daraufhin als Arzt und Verwalter von ihm in der neuen Nieder- 
 lassung Friedrichsburg angestellt, wahrend Meusebach selber 
 bei den wohlhabenden Amerikanern am Brazos und Colorado 
 Mais auf Credit ankaufte und Fuhrwerke zur Beforderung der 
 Emigranten zu engagieren suchte." 34 
 
 "Ich meldete mich bei dem neu creirten Direktor der Kolo- 
 
 93 Friedrichsburg. Leipzig, 1867, p. 33 f. 
 
 * The following remarks are taken bodily from the various contributions 
 which make up the Fest-Ausgabe. Many are very casual indeed, but all shed 
 light on the character of the author. 
 
 M Fest-Ausgabe, p. 50. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 43 
 
 nie Friedrichsburg, Dr. Schubert (Struhbach), und wurde mit 
 hochtonenden Worten angenommen." 35 
 
 "Urn den 10. oder 12. Juni 1846 bekam ich den Auftrag, 
 einen Emigranten-Zug zu begleiten, der sich ausserhalb Braun- 
 fels bilclete. . . . Herr Schubert besuchte uns im Lager und ich 
 erhielt noch verschiedene Instruktionen von ihm beziiglich eini- 
 ger leicht kranker Personen." 36 
 
 "Inzwischen hatte Dr. Schubert in Friedrichsburg eine mi 
 serable Wirthschaft gefiihrt und schliesslich eine Compagnie 
 Soldaten gebildet und mit dieser unter Mitnahme der Vereins- 
 kanone einen Zug nach dem Grant-Lande unternommen. Er kam 
 aber nur bis an die Grenze des Comanche-Indianer-Gebietes 
 dem Llanofluss wo er wieder umkehrte, ohne einen ernstlichen 
 Versuch zum Weitervordringen zu machen. Er berichtete an 
 Meusebach, der ihm nie einen Auftrag dieser Art ertheilt hatte, 
 es sei moglich weiter zu kommen." 37 
 
 "Dieses und der bose Eindruck, welchen Schubert s uniiber- 
 legter und missglikkter Zug gemacht hatte, bewog Meusebach, 
 selber mit 20 Mann und 3 Wagen im Januar 1847 von Friedrichs 
 burg nach dem Lande der Comanche-Indianer aufzubrechen. . . . 
 Als er dann nach dreimonatlicher Abwesenheit im Indianerge- 
 biete nach Neu-Braunfels zuriickgekehrt war, legte er am 20. 
 Juli 1847 sein Amt als General- Agent des Adelvereins nieder, 
 nicht ohne vorher noch den sauberen Dr. Schubert seiner Stelle 
 in Friedrichsburg entsetzt zu haben." 38 
 
 "Schubert (alias Struhberg) war nach der Farm Nassau 
 gezogen, fiir welche er einen Pachtkontrakt hatte. Spies gerieth, 
 wahrscheinlich beeinflusst durch andere Interessirte, auf die un- 
 selige Idee, Schubert mit Gewalt von der Farm Nassau zu ver- 
 treiben. Es kam zum nachtlichen Kampfe, bei welchem der Ma- 
 ler Rohrdorf erschossen wurde. Spies und Genossen wurden da- 
 raufhin unter die Anklage des Mordes gestellt und dieser Prozess 
 kostete dem Verein ziemlich viel Geld." 39 
 
 u lbid, p. 65. 
 
 *Ibid. 
 
 "I bid, p. 51 f. 
 
 * Fest-Ausgabe, p. 52. 
 
 "Ibid. 
 
44 Fried rich Arm and Strubberg 
 
 "Schubert kam (so glaube ich) im Oktober, 40 und musste 
 gleich ein Extra-Bretter-Haus fur ihn und eine Kiiche fiir seine 
 Kochin, eine verwittwete Frau Werthmann, gebaut werden. Er 
 brachte ein ganzes Gefolge ihm treu ergebener Personen mit, die 
 jedeni seiner Winke gehorchten." 41 
 
 "Wir waren in der Richtung nach dem "Bullhead" aufge- 
 brochen und hatten bald den "House Mountain" in Sicht. Ver- 
 schiedene Hirsche, Wildkatzen und Muskhogs wurden unterwegs 
 geschossen. Es war ziemlich warm, als wir in der Nahe des ge- 
 nannten Berges waren und einer der Parasiten, die auf Vereins- 
 kosten lebten und nichts dafiir leisteten (von der Bevolkerung 
 "Vereins-Lumpen" genannt), ein Kapitan Gunst von den Carli- 
 sten in Spanien, legte etwas von seinem Gepack welches er auf 
 dem Pferd hatte, auf den Gepack-Wagen. Schubert sah dies, 
 und da er Gunst nicht gut leiden mochte, sagte er zu ihm : "Ein 
 schlechtes Schaf, das seine Wolle nicht tragen kann!" Gunst 
 nahm dies sehr iibel auf, und so viel ich erfuhr, war eine Forde- 
 rung zum Duell die Folge. Ob dasselbe stattfand, kann ich nicht 
 sagen, doch lag Gunst in Friedrichsburg spater an einem Schuss 
 im Unterleib krank und erschoss sich spater selbst." 42 
 
 "Nach zwei Tagen, gerade am Neujahrstage 1847, langten 
 wir gegen Mittag auf den Palo Alto-Hiigeln an, wo abermals ein 
 Kanonenschuss abgefeuert wurde, um unsere Ankunft anzumel- 
 den. Wir kamen Nachmittags an und Herr Schubert wurde fei- 
 erlich empfangen. ... In Folge verschiedener Meinungen auf 
 dieser Reise fanden zwei Duell forderungen statt. . . . Zwischen 
 Bene und Schubert kam es nicht zum Austrage, weil Schubert 
 als ausgezeichneter Schiitze bekannt war, und Bene sich deshalb 
 nur iibers Schnupftuch mit ihm schiessen wollte, damit die 
 Chancen gleich waren. Schubert nahm das nicht an, denn dafiir 
 war ihm sein Leben zu lieb, und hat jedenfalls im Stillen klein 
 beigegeben, denn man horte spater nicht mehr davon." 43 
 
 "1847 wurde mit dem Bau des Octagons auf dem offentli- 
 
 40 Strubberg was in all probability already in Friedrichsburg in the spring 
 of the same year. 
 
 "Fest-Ausgabe, p. 68. 
 43 Fest-Ausgabe, p. 69 f . 
 "Ibid, p. 71 f. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 45 
 
 chen Platze, nach Anordnung des Schubert, begonnen, um als all- 
 gemeine Kirche zu clienen." 44 
 
 "Es war irn Sommer 1848, als Schubert uns verliess, um 
 von der Farm Nassau Besitz zu ergreifen." 45 
 
 "Zwei der erklarten Feinde von Schubert waren ausersehen, 
 Herrn Schubert und die Familie v. Sawicz nach der Farm Nas 
 sau zu bringen. Fin Herr Thiele und meine Personlichkeit, zum 
 grossen Arger von Schubert." 40 
 
 "Ich kann nicht unterlassen, cine Bemerkung iiber den 
 Rechts-Zustand in der Kolonie zu machen. Wir gehorten, ehe 
 Gillespie County organisiert wurde, zu Bexar County. Es war 
 ein weiter und gefahrvoller Weg dorthin. Die Gerechtigkeits- 
 pflege nahm deshalb jeder in seine Hand und es gait oft das Recht 
 des Starkeren. Wer z. B. sich missliebig iiber Herrn Schubert 
 und seine Verwaltung ausserte, musste "pater peccavi" sagen oder 
 wurde ausgewiesen. Zum Beispiel : Ein Mann Namens Bern 
 stein, der ein Fuhrwerk des Vereins trieb, sollte eines Tages nach 
 Braunfels fahren, fiihlte sich aber nicht ganz wohl. Man rieth 
 ihm an, zum Dr. Schubert zu gehen. "Nein," sagte er, "ich gehe 
 nicht ! Der Doktor ist kein Doktor ; er giebt atzende Medizinen !" 
 Er fuhr los und seine Aeusserung wurde Schubert hinterbracht. 
 Sogleich wurden zwei Mann von Schubert s Schergen zu Pferde 
 und bewaffnet nachgeschickt, um ihn zuriickzubringen. Bern 
 stein kannte Schubert s Vorleben; von ihm erfuhren wir eben- 
 falls, dass er Struhbach hiess. Als er ankam, nahm ihn Schubert 
 in seine Wohnung, wo sie einige Zeit bei verriegelter Thiire blie- 
 ben. Bernstein kam endlich heraus, iibernahm sein Gespann und 
 Mann und Vereinsfuhrwerk sah man niemals wieder." 47 
 
 "In dem Absetzungs-Dekret fur Schubert, welches als der 
 letzte offizielle Akt des zuriickgetretenen Generalkommissars 
 Meusebach angesehen werden kann, wurde gleichzeitig Herr Jo- 
 hann Jacob v. Coll, bisheriger Rechnungsfuhrer des Vereins, zum 
 Kolonial-Direktor von Friedrichsburg ernannt. Ihm gebiihrt das 
 
 " Fest-Ausgabe, p. 73. 
 
 48 Other evidence determines this date as 1847. 
 
 ** Fest-Ausgabe, p. 74. 
 
 47 Fest-Ausgabe, p. 79 f. 
 
46 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 Verdienst, mit gewohnter kraftiger und erfahrener Hand die un- 
 ter Schubert verlodderte Vereins-Verwaltung in Friedrichsburg 
 wieder in Ordnung gebracht zu haben." 48 
 
 "Die Zeiten der Hungersnoth und epidemisch auftretenden 
 Krankheiten in der Kolonie Friedrichsburg waren grausam harte 
 und verfehlten naturgemass nicht, viele der schwacheren, ver- 
 zweifelnden Charaktere, beeinflusst durch gewissenlose Beamte 
 wie Schubert und Consorten zu demoralisiren." 49 
 
 Friedrich Kapp, in speaking of the Friedrichsburg Colony, 
 says : "Dabei bildeten eigenniitzige und gewaltthatige Handlun- 
 gen der untergeordneten Vereinsbeamten die Tagesordnung. Die 
 Herren lebten, wahrend Meusebach vergeblich im Osten Geld auf- 
 zutreiben suchte . . ., herrlich in Freuden, huldigten ihren no- 
 belen Passionen und fiihrten eine Willkiir- und Gunstlingsherr- 
 schaft ein, welche Riicksichtslosigkeit und Uebermuth auf der 
 einen Seite, knechtische Furcht und Servilismus auf der andern 
 im Gefolge hatte. Charakteristisch in letzterer Beziehung ist die 
 Antwort eines Friedrichsburgers, der auf die an ihn gerichtete 
 Frage des gewissenlosen Kolonialdirektors Schubert : "Ob er sei- 
 nen Hund gesehen?" demiithig erwiderte: "Sie sincl eben um die 
 Ecke gelaufen, Herr Kolonialdirektor!" 50 
 
 The above rather disjointed citations, however derogatory 
 they may be to Strubberg s character, are nevertheless interest 
 ing. To be sure they are strangely inconsistent with the noble 
 character and magnanimity everywhere evident in Strubberg s 
 works, as well as with the esteem in which he was afterwards 
 held by his fellow-countrymen during his many remaining years 
 in Germany. The remarks, in part contradictory and erroneous, 
 strewn throughout the pages of the Fest-Ausgabe, were gathered 
 from reminiscences of aged colonists fifty years after those 
 troublesome days, one of whom at least was the confessed enemy 
 
 * Ibid, p. 205. 
 
 w Ibid. It is interesting to observe that the colonists were aware that "Dr. 
 Schubert" was only an assumed name. The forms "Struhberg" and "Struh- 
 bach" (used in the above remarks) show that their knowledge of his identity 
 was very indefinite however ; much less do they seem ever to have discovered 
 that Kolonial-Direktor Schubert was afterwards the well-known novelist 
 Armand. 
 
 M Friedrich Kapp: Aus und iiber Amerika. Berlin, 1876, p. 275. 
 
Friedrich Arniand Stmbbcrg 47 
 
 of Dr. Schubbert. The impartial reader of today must unques 
 tionably accept these remarks with some modifications. 
 
 In remarkable contradiction also to the hostile views 
 expressed in the above citations against Dr. Schubbert, is the 
 following most interesting document : 
 
 Hochgeehrter Herr Director! 
 
 Kaum war uns die erfreuliche Kunde von Ihrer Zuriickkimft 
 aus dem Vereinsgebiete am Llano geworden, als unsere Freude 
 durch die Nachricht "Sie wiirden uns in den nachsten Tagen schon 
 wieder verlassen," und was noch das harteste ist, auch vielleicht 
 nicht wieder zu uns zuriickkehren, auf das empfindlichste getriibt 
 wurde. 
 
 Hoffen wir, dass letztere Nachricht unbegriindet sei, und das 
 Werk, das eigentlich in Friedrichsburg durch Sie erst begriindet 
 wurde, nicht dem Untergange preisgegeben werde, dem es leider! 
 nur zu nahe war. 
 
 Unsre Bescheidenheit verbietet es uns Ihnen, verehrtester 
 Mann! alle die Verdienste aufzuzahlen, die Sie sich in der kurzen 
 Zeit Ihres Hierseins um uns erworben haben. Sie waren es, der 
 uns als Hiilfe erschien, da die Not und das Elend am hochsten war. 
 Sie waren der rettende Engel, da Sie vielen von uns und unseren 
 Kindern durch Ihre aufopfernde Hingebung Leben und Gesundheit 
 wiedergebracht haben. Sie haben durch Ihre rastlose Thatigkeit 
 fur die Befriedigung unserer nothwendigsten Lebensbediirfnisse 
 gesorgt. woran wir friiher oftmals den driickensten Mangel litten, 
 kurz Sie waren es, wodurch die Hoffnung auf eine frohe und ge- 
 sicherte Zukunft von Neuem in uns belebt wurde, und Sie sollten 
 uns velassen ? Das verhiite Gott ! 
 
 Sollte es wirklich der Fall sein, sollte sich diese Schreckensnach- 
 richt wirklich bestatigen, so ist ganz Friedrichsburg in tiefster Trau- 
 er, besonders auch noch deshalb, weil Ihr Ausscheiden aus der hie- 
 sigen Direktion vielleicht auch das Scheiden des Mannes nach sich 
 ziehen wurde, der eben falls das allgemeine Vertrauen und die unge- 
 theilteste Liebe aller Einwohner von Fridrichsburg sich erworben 
 hat, eines Mannes, der sich besonders in Ihrer Abwesenheit durch 
 seine weise Fiirsorge als kluger und umsichtsvoller Geschaftsmann 
 und zugleich als ein liebreicher Vater den Einwohnern von Frie 
 drichsburg bewiesen hat, wir meinen unsern verehrten und allge- 
 mein geachteten Proviantmeister Herrn Bickel. 
 
 Sollten wir also Sie beide verlieren, worauf wir unser unbe- 
 grenztes, ungetheiltes Vertrauen setzen, so wurde uns dadurch eine 
 Wunde geschlagen, die so bald, ja vielleicht nie wieder heilen wiirde ! 
 
 Wir wagen demnach unsere so dringende als ergebenste Bitte 
 an Sie, uns nicht zu verlassen, oder, wenn Geschafte oder sonstige 
 Verhaltnisse Sie von uns rufen, recht bald wieder zu uns zurikkzu- 
 
48 Friedrich Armand Sir ubber g 
 
 kehren, und dadurch die Sorge zu verscheuchen die durch die Nach- 
 richt von Ihrem moglichen Scheiden, so schwer auf tins lastet. 
 
 Empfangen Sie die Versicherung unserer ganzlichen Hingabe 
 und ungetheilten Liebe. 51 
 
 Friedrichsburg, d. 3. Juni 1847. 
 
 Die dankbaren Einwohner von Friedrichsburg. 
 
 Ernst Dannheim Heinrich Leierschwohl Philipp Klarmend 
 
 Heinrich Newig Heinrich Winkel Schnlz 
 
 Karl Meier Heinrich Schmitt Conrad Wittneben 
 
 Ferdinand Schulze Peter Engelmann Jakob D. Wiirzbach 
 
 Johann G. Braun August Spilker Ludolpf Meyer 
 
 Daniel Weiershause F. Kiehm Johann Leyendecker I 
 
 Heinrich August W. Tiel Johannes Peter Keller 
 
 Heimann Christoph Frage N. Wamel 
 
 Christian Althaus Kaspar Danz C. Marschall 
 
 Friedrich Pape Johannes Christ Philipp Simon 
 
 Wilhelm Stieren Conrad Pliimesse 
 
 Fritz .... Kutscher Friedrich Budde 
 
 Susmann Friedrich Leifeste und 
 
 Johann Nicol. Schmitt Heinrich Leifeste 
 
 Karl Usener Jakob Roder 
 
 A. Krieger Gottfried Bader 
 
 Fried. Sucherd Philipp Mahr 
 
 Schandua Johannes Mahr 
 
 Christoph Noges Martin Mahr 
 
 Lehrer F. Leyendecker Heinrich Gadt 
 
 Friedrich Metzger Peter Honig 
 
 Christian August Halm Hermann Honig 
 
 Heinrich Jordan Heinrich Kammlah 
 
 Johann Metzger Conrad Welge 
 
 Jacob Harth Christopf Brinkrolf 
 
 Johann Keller Peter Behrens 
 
 Anton Menges Conrad Mund 
 
 Joh. Ad. Keller Friedrich Bahntge 
 H. Basse 
 Adolf Hermann 
 
 L. Wahrmund Auf Verlangen des Herrn Direktor Schub- 
 
 Carl Wegrich bert beglaube ich dienstlich die vorstehenden 
 
 Gottlieb Fischer Unterschriften der hiesigen Burger. 
 Martin Hellmuth 
 
 Friedrichsburg, d. 20. Juni 1847. 
 
 P. BICKEL, 
 
 Friedensrichter. 
 
 81 The above document is in the possession of Herr Ebert of Gelnhausen, 
 to whom it was given by the author. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 49 
 
 According to the Fest-Amgabe, the first immigrants arrived 
 in Friedrichsburg in March, 1846. Soon thereafter Dr. Schub- 
 bert (Strubberg) was appointed as physician and Director of the 
 Colony. July 20, 1847, Herr von Meusebach resigned his posi 
 tion as general agent, but not before Dr. Schubbert had been dis 
 charged. Strubberg s period of activity in Friedrichsburg lies 
 therefore between March, 1846, and July 20, 1847. Soon there 
 after Strubberg moved to the Nassau plantation in Fayette 
 County, which had been cleared by Count Boos-Waldek in 1842. 
 How long Strubberg remained here is not known. 
 
 Otfrid Mylius (Karl Miiller) writes: "Als der Krieg der 
 Vereinigten Staaten mit Mexico ausbrach und Armand seiner 
 Aufgabe, den deutschen Landsleuten beizustehen und sie vom 
 Untergang zu bewahren, vollstandig geniigt hatte, konnte Ar 
 mand dem Verlangen nicht widerstehen, das schone Land Mexico 
 kennen zu lernen und den Krieg mitzumachen. Er schiffte sich 
 also nach Veracruz ein, nahm unter General Scott beinahe am 
 ganzen mexicanischen Kriege teil und verliess das herrliche Land 
 erst mit den letzten abziehenden amerikanischen Truppen." 52 The 
 war between Mexico and the United States continued from April, 
 1846, to September, 1847. Mylius assertion cannot therefore 
 be correct for the reason that Strubberg was for the greater part 
 of that period active as colonial director in Friedrichsburg. If he 
 served in the Merican War at all, and certain of his works 53 lead 
 us to believe that he did, it must have been very soon after his 
 departure from Friedrichsburg in the summer of 1847. Accord 
 ing to Mylius, Strubberg landed in New Orleans in the spring of 
 1848, returning from the war. There he heard the urgent appeal 
 for physicians in Arkansas, which was being devastated by small 
 pox, cholera, and fevers, and determined at once to respond to 
 this call of distress. He provided himself with the necessary 
 medical materials, and went to Camden on the Washita where an 
 epidemic of fever was raging. Strubberg was greeted here as a 
 deliverer and under his energetic and ceaseless efforts the disease 
 
 ** See Kolnische Zeitung. 18. Aug., 1889. 
 
 M Cf. Scenen aus den Kdmpfen der Mexikaner und N or dam erikaner. 
 Breslau, 1859; also In Mexico. Hannover, 1865. 
 
50 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 was soon checked. Strubberg had won recognition and was in 
 duced to settle in Camden; his turbulent roving life was at last to 
 flow in a smoother channel. He built for himself a beautiful resi 
 dence, was active in his medical practice, and became engaged to 
 a wealthy lady, apparently the owner of a plantation and holder 
 of slaves. He was on the point of entering a life of domestic hap 
 piness when an accident occurred which was to change his entire 
 future life. While on a chase ofter bears, which were then cre 
 ating havoc among the cattle of the community, he was stung in 
 his right eye by a poisonous insect and his sight was endangered. 
 For more than a year Strubberg himself gave the eye medical 
 treatment, but without favorable results. He finally concluded to 
 return to Europe for a year to seek medical aid and in 1854 he 
 sailed for France to consult eye specialists there. His efforts to 
 gain relief during the next two years took him to Paris, Berlin, 
 Gottingen, Heidelberg, Wiesbaden, and Marburg, but nowhere 
 was a permanent cure effected. Strubberg had already given up 
 all hope, when Hofrat de Loew in Grafrath near Elberfeld was 
 recommended to him in the highest terms. Strubberg hastened 
 to consult him and under his attendance soon recovered. 54 The 
 eye was saved though it had suffered in sight. 55 
 
 Concerning the effect of this incident on Strubberg s future 
 life, Mylius says: "Allein diese Heimsuchung hatte trotz dem 
 giinstigen Erfolg der Cur doch Armands ganzer Lebensstellung 
 einen ganzlichen Umschwung gegeben. Er musste abermals sein 
 Leben neu aufbauen, denn mittlerweile waren alle Verhaltnisse 
 anders geworden: der amerikanische Biirgerkrieg war ausge- 
 brochen, die Sklaven waren freigegeben, der Siiden verwiistet 
 worden. Das Eigentum, welches Armand in Arkansas zurikkge- 
 lassen hatte, war zerstreut worden, seine Braut war gestorben, 
 die Zustande in den Siidstaaten waren noch ungeregelt und be- 
 durften langer Zeit, bis Sicherheit des Eigentums und der Person 
 wieder hergestellt waren. Armand konnte daher nicht daran den- 
 ken, nach Arkansas zurikkzukehren." These remarks must be 
 
 64 Cf. Otf rid Mylius in the Koln. Zeit. 
 
 "Friends of the novelist living in Gelnhausen today, told the writer that 
 Strubberg s one eye had a gray coating over it. 
 
Friedrich Arm and Strubberg 51 
 
 taken cum grano sails. The civil war did not begin until 1860, at 
 a time when Strubberg had already taken up his abode in Kassel, 
 and two years after his first work appeared. His property in the 
 form of slaves (and we conclude from his works that he was a 
 slave-owner) could therefore not have been destroyed. In short, 
 the above reasons for Strubberg s remaining away from Arkansas 
 are unsatisfactory. In fact we know little more than that he 
 henceforth remained in Germany. 
 
 Strubberg s only sister Emilie, an elderly maiden lady, 
 resided in Kassel. As the daughter of the wealthy tobacco mer 
 chant she had enjoyed an unusually careful education. After 
 the reverses in fortunes, of the Strubberg family, Emilie was 
 obliged to resort to her accomplishments as a means of securing 
 a livelihood. During all the long years of her brother s absence 
 in America she had supported herself as a translator and teacher 
 of languages. 56 It was this surviving sister who drew Strub 
 berg back to his native city. The return to Kassel of the "Welt- 
 Bummler," the gallant Fritz of many years ago, is best told in 
 the words of W. Bennecke: "Es war im Herbste des Jahres 1854 
 als in den Strassen Kassels, die damals noch nicht so belebt wa- 
 ren wie heutzutage, eine eigenartige Mannergestalt, die allgemeine 
 Aufmerksamkeit auf sich zog. Man fragte sich, wer der hoch- 
 gewachsene Mann mit dem langen, wellenformig gedrehten 
 Schnurrbart, der schwarzen Binde iiber dem einen Auge, dem 
 spitzen, schrag aufgestiilpten Cylinder und dem grossen mit dem 
 einen Ende iiber die Schulter geschlagenen Reitermantel wohl 
 sein moge? Mit langen schnellen Schritten eilte er dahin, bei den 
 ihm Begegnenden den Eindruck des Fremdartigen, sowie einer 
 sturmischen Vergangenheit, hervorrufend. Der jiingeren Gene 
 ration war der neue Ankommling vollig fremd, der alteren aber 
 war er von zwanzig, dreissig Jahren her bekannt und es hiess : 
 "Es ist der Fritz Strubberg, der aus Amerika herubergekommen, 
 um seine Schwester zu besuchen"." 57 
 
 66 In the address book of Kassel for 1860 we read : "Emilie Strubberg, 
 Lehrerin der deutschen, franzosischen, englischen, italienischen, spanischen, 
 portugiesischen, hollandischen und bohmischen Sprachen." 
 
 H See Hessenland, Kassel, 2. Mai, 1889. 
 
52 Friedrich Armand Strnbberg 
 
 Strubberg, however, did not at that time settle permanently 
 in Kassel. For a long time he remained in Marburg where he 
 received medical treatment for his eye from the celebrated physi 
 cian Dr. Sonnemeyer. Then again he resided in Hannover or 
 with his intimate friend Freiherr Spiegel vom Desenberg, in 
 Langensalza. Not till 1860 did he settle in Kassel as his fixed 
 place of residence. 
 
 Already more than fifty years of age, Strubberg now entered 
 upon that career which was to insure him a significant place in 
 the history of the German novel. What induced him, not 
 schooled in literary expression, to enter upon a literary career 
 so late in life? His own explanation is given in the Vorwort 
 to his first work Amerikanlsche Jagd und Reiseab enfetter: 
 "Der Westen Amerikas zieht von Tage zu Tage mehr die Blicke 
 von Europa und besonders von Deutschland auf sich, und Mit- 
 theilungen liber jene noch so wenig bekannte Lander, namentlich 
 wenn sie aus unmittelbarer Anschauung fliessen und eigene Er- 
 lebnisse schildern, diirften darum auf einen grossen Kreis von Le- 
 sern rechnen. Dennoch wurden die vorliegenden Blatter nicht 
 dafiir niedergeschrieben und waren ursprunglich nur fur eine 
 Schwester bestimmt, deren Liebe mich fast ganz allein noch an 
 die alte Heimath fesselte, und deren Gedanken mir unablassig in 
 weite Fernen, unter mancherlei Gefahren und Beschwerden bis zu 
 den aussersten Grenzen der Indianergebiete wahrend eines Zeit- 
 raums von sechzehn Jahren folgten. . . . Und so fiigte ich mich 
 endlich ihren Wiinschen, die Begebenheiten meines Lebens, meine 
 Jagd- und Reiseabenteuer in Amerika zu veroffentlichen." Strub 
 berg, as is evident again and again throughout his works, never 
 hesitated to sacrifice the unadorned truth to his literary purposes. 
 The account of the beginnings of his literary activities as given by 
 W. Bennecke 58 (a personal friend of the author) is probably more 
 accurate than that in the above Vorwort. Strubberg, upon his ar 
 rival in Kassel, was eagerly received into the higher circles of the 
 city s social life. His fascinating personality, his many travels 
 and adventures, and his exceptional conversational faculties, made 
 
 Cf. Hessenland, Kassel, 2. Mai, 1889. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 53 
 
 him a welcome figure among the friends of his youthful days 
 as well as among those of the younger generation. Hotel Schom- 
 bardt at Wilhelmshohe was a favorite rallying place, and there 
 many a pleasant afternoon and evening spent. Dr. Strub 
 berg, with his remarkable tales of adventure, ever new, varied, 
 and endless, never wanted for an attentive circle of listeners. 
 Oberstallmeister von Eschwege one day asked Strubberg to put 
 his adventures into literary form, so that they could be circulated 
 among his friends as a memorial of the many pleasant hours 
 which had been afforded them. Strubberg tried his hand at writ 
 ing, but found considerable difficulty in this unaccustomed labor. 
 During his many years in America he had accustomed himself 
 to the English form of sentence structure, and was in conse 
 quence frequently hampered in expressing himself. His sister 
 Emilie was of great service to him in this respect, and helped 
 him surmount these early difficulties. In a comparatively short 
 time a stout volume of manuscript was at hand. It found great 
 favor among Strubberg s circle of friends, who persuaded him to 
 seek a publisher for it. Strubbing was fortunate in having his 
 manuscript accepted by what was then perhaps the chief publish 
 ing house in Germany, namely, Cotta in Stuttgart, which pub 
 lished the work under the title Amerikanische Jagd- und Reise- 
 abentcuer aus meinem Leben in den westlichen Indianergebieten 
 as the work of "Armand." It appeared in 1858 and was well 
 received. "Der Grosse Kapitan," says Bennecke, "vergrub sein 
 Kriegsbeil fur immer und griff statt des Tomahawks zur Feder." 
 Strubberg now centered his entire interest and energy upon 
 his literary work. Possessed with a susceptible mind and glow 
 ing imagination, he needed only to revert to his long, active, and 
 somewhat checkered career in America as an inexhaustible source 
 for literary material. In the same year (1858) appeared Bis in 
 die Wildniss. In 1859 appeared An der Indianer Grcnze (4 
 vols. ) ; Alte und Neue Heimath; und Scenen aus den Kdmpfen 
 der Mexicaner und Nordamerikaner; surely no mean output for 
 one year. Fortune favored the author. Through the work pub 
 lished by Cotta, the name of Armand became familiar through 
 out Germany. The name of Cotta also had a favorable effect. 
 
54 Fricdrich Armand Strnbberg 
 
 Publishers throughout the country were only too desirous of pub 
 lishing the works of Armand. 
 
 By 1868 Strubberg had published more than forty volumes. 
 At about this time his literary productivity was hindered by two 
 very unfortunate events. In 1860 the author had taken up his 
 residence with his sister Emilie in Kassel. There he was one 
 day visited by an elderly woman who was none other than 
 Antoinette Sattler, the love of his youthful days in Bremen. 
 She had remained unmarried, had cherished his memory through 
 all the long years of his wanderings in America, and hearing of 
 his return, determined to visit him. The old flame was rekindled 
 and the aged couple was finally united in marriage. 59 One day 
 as Strubberg was returning to his house on Karlstrasse, he 
 noticed a crowd gathered before his dwelling and was told that a 
 woman in the house had become demented. With a strange 
 presentiment he hastened forward and found his own wife. She 
 no longer recognized him and had to be taken to an asylum where 
 she raved herself to death. Only then Strubberg learned that his 
 deceased wife had concealed the fact that a great part of her life 
 had been spent in an asylum from whence she had been released 
 only a short time before their marriage. The author bore his 
 sorrow in silence ; in fact he even appears to have endeavored to 
 conceal this marriage in his later years. 
 
 The second event, however unfortunate it was for Strub 
 berg, only emphasizes the remarkable character and versatility of 
 the man. We refer to the famous lawsuit which Strubberg, as 
 advocate for the deposed House of Hessen successfully conducted 
 against the Prussian government in the interests of the deposed 
 princes feoffment in trust. 
 
 On January 5, 1831, the Elector Wilhelm II gave a consti 
 tution to Hessen, whereupon it ceased to be a dynastic, princely 
 house. Toward the end of 1830, while Hessen was being 
 remodeled into a constitutional state, demand was made that a 
 
 "See Das Trauungsbuch der Oberneustddter Gemeinde, in Kassel: Am 
 5. Juni, 1866, wurden in der Privatwohnung des Brautigams getraut. . . . 
 Friedrich Armand Strubberg, Burger u. Literal . . . und Jungfrau Antoinette 
 Rosine Henrietta Sattler . . . geboren u Bremen ... am 24. Juli, 1805. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 55 
 
 decision be made as to which property should belong to the state 
 and which to the princely family. The entire Hessian dynastic 
 property was then divided into "Staatseigenthum" and "Famil- 
 ien Fideicommiss." The latter was the property of the deposed 
 house alone. "Es ist dessen unbezweifeltes und ausschliessliches 
 Eigenthum und kann niemals unter dem Vorgeben irgend einer 
 andern Eigenschaft von dem Staate oder sonst in Anspruch ge- 
 nommen werden." 60 June 16, 1866, the Prussian troops under 
 General von Beyer entered Hessen; on June 18 they entered 
 Kassel and not only took complete possession of the state, but 
 also the private property of the princely house, which had been 
 designated as absolutely private property. 61 
 
 The members of the Hessian House now filed suit against 
 the Prussian government and appointed Strubberg as their ad 
 vocate. 62 His own part in the case and the disappointments 
 which he suffered after having conducted it successfully through 
 many years is best told in his own words: "Meine schriftsteller- 
 ische Thatigkeit wurde durch eine neue Aufgabe unterbrochen, 
 welche seitens der Agnaten eines depossedirten Hauses an mich 
 gestellt wurde. Ich hatte den Prinzen W. kennen gelernt, der 
 mich flehentlich bat, ihm beizustehen, seine Rechte an dem Fidei 
 commiss- Vermogen des schen Hauses gegen den preussi- 
 
 schen Fiscus zu verteidigen, da Preussen zugleich mit dem 
 Lande auch dieses Privatvermogen an sich genommen hatte. Ich 
 erklarte dem Prinzen, dass ich ja nicht Jurist sei und mir daher 
 die notigen Kenntnisse fehlten, um eine solche Aufgabe mit Er- 
 folg durchfiihren zu konnen; dennoch beharrte er bei seinem 
 Ansuchen und ich versprach ihm, fur ihn zu thun, was in meinen 
 
 * Cf. Friedrich Wilhelm Ernst, Prinz von Hessen : Hat das Fideicommiss- 
 Vermogen der kurfurstlich-hessischen Familie einen Staatsrechtlichen Charak- 
 ter oder ist es deren Privateigenthum? Kassel, 1879. 
 
 61 Cf . Friedrich Wilhelm Ernst, Prinz von Hessen : Das Familien-Fidei- 
 commiss des kurfurstlich-hessischen Hauses in seiner rechtlichen Natur seit 
 seiner Entstehung bis auf die Gegenwart. Kassel, 1878. 
 
 62 Cf . Letters in the Appendix. Strubberg had never been a student of 
 law, though he seems to have given the law some attention when a young 
 man. Law-suits are frequently introduced into his various novels, where 
 they are carried on to great effect, showing a close knowledge of American 
 law and a cleverness in employing the same. 
 
56 Fried rich Annand Strubbcrg 
 
 Kraften stehe. Ich begann die Angelegenheit und die dahin ein- 
 schlagenden Rechte und Gesetze zu studiren, und lieferte dem 
 Anwalte des Prinzen die Entwiirfe zu den Eingaben bei den 
 Behorden und den Gerichten. Da starb der depossedirte Fiirst 
 und Preussen legte dem Abgeordnetenhause einen Gesetzent- 
 wurf zur Genehmigung vor, wonach mit dem Tode des Fiirsten 
 
 das Familien-Ficleicommiss-Vermogen des schen Hauses 
 
 in das preussische Staatseigentum iibergegangen sei. Man 
 schrieb mir von Berlin, dass die Gesetzvorlage, wenn ich nicht 
 etwas Besonderes clagegen thue, ohne Zweifel durchgehen und 
 dann alle Rechte der Agnaten an dem Vermogen durch das Ge- 
 setz beseitigt warden wiirden. Ich Hess schnell einen Protest 
 gegen die Vorlage drucken und im Abgeordnetenhause verteilen, 
 und dasselbe erklarte darauf, dass das Haus keine Behorde sei, 
 welche solche Rechtsfragen zu entscheiden habe; das sei Auf- 
 gabe der ordentlichen Gerichte. Ueber diesen Protest wurde ich 
 wegen Beleidigung des Fiscus in zwei Instanzen vor Gericht ge- 
 stellt, doch beide Mai kostenlos freigesprochen. Die Rechte der 
 Agnaten standen wieder hoch; mit rastloser Thatigkeit schlug 
 ich alle erneuerten Angriffe des Fiscus darauf ab; ich vernich- 
 tete alle die unzahligen Angriffe in der Presse dagegen, lieferte 
 die Entwiirfe zu samtlichen Processschriften und hatte die Re- 
 visionsschrift an das Reichsgericht bereit, als die Regierung 
 Vergleichsunterhandlungen einleitete, welche bald zu einem ent- 
 giiltigen Vergleichsabschlusse zwischen ihr und den Agnaten 
 fiihrten und wodurch einem jeden derselben 25,000 Thaler Jah- 
 resrente und ein Schloss zugestanden wurde. Dem Prinzen W. 
 war die Rente auf sieben Jahre im voraus ausgezahlt worden 
 und er hatte das Schloss R. im Werte von 300,000 Thalern in 
 Besitz genommen. Von allem diesem wiirde er ohne meine rast- 
 lose Tatigkeit fur ihn niemals von Rechtswegen einen Pfennig 
 erhalten haben; allein als ich ihn um Erfiillung des Entschadi- 
 gungsvertrages zwischen ihm und mir suchte, weigerte er sich, 
 mir fiir meine Thatigkeit fiir ihn etwas zu vergiiten, und berief 
 sich, als ich gegen ihn klagte, darauf, dass ich sein Advocat ge- 
 wesen sei und als solcher kein Recht gehabt habe, noch einen 
 Extravertrag iiber eine Vergiitung fiir meine Arbeiten mit ihm 
 
Friedrich Annand Strubberg 57 
 
 zu machen, und dass mir nichts welter als die Advocatengebuh- 
 ren zukamen. 
 
 "Ich hatte zvvolf Jahre Tag und Nacht fur ihn gearbeitet, 
 hatte meine schriftstellerische Thatigkeit dabei aufgeben mus- 
 sen, welche mir etwa 3000 Thaler jahrlich einbrachte, und hatte 
 nur wahrend der letzten vier Jahre monatlich 100 Thaler von 
 ihm bezogen, weil ich etwa 3000 Thaler erspartes Geld auch aus- 
 gegeben hatte und nicht mehr aus eigenen Mitteln existiren 
 konnte. Ich musste den Prinzen verklagen und er wurde vom 
 Gericht verurteilt, den Vertrag mit mir zu erfiillen. Diese Be- 
 handlung war eine der unerhortesten Erfahrungen meines 75- 
 jahrigen Lebens, zumal dass ich dem Prinzen nicht allein zu sei- 
 nem Vermogen verholfen, sondern ihm auch in andern wichti- 
 gen Lebens fragen mit gleicher Treue und Anhanglichkeit beige- 
 standen hatte. Ich hatte ihn von einer ihm unfehlbaren Unter- 
 gang drohenden Krankheit befreit, gegen welche er in Deutsch- 
 land und im Ausland vergebens Hiilfe gesucht, hatte seinen 
 Scheidungsprocess gegen seine erste Gemahlin gefiihrt, hatte in 
 seinem und seines spatern Schwiegervaters Auftrag eine Klage 
 wegen vermuteter Vergiftung seiner Mutter bei der Staatsan- 
 waltschaft eingeleitet, war im Interesse seiner Sohne aus erster 
 Ehe tatig gewesen, hatte fortwahrend seine Dienerschaft er- 
 ganzt, kurz, ich hatte alle seine hauslichen und geschaftlichen 
 Angelegenheiten besorgt und war in seinem Interesse fast im- 
 mer unterwegs gewesen, und nun hatte er mich in meinen alten 
 Tagen zum Bettler machen wollen! Die Entriistung iiber die 
 mir angethane schmahliche Behandlung fiir alle meine treuen 
 Dienste und Aufopferungen wahrend so vieler Jahre warf mich 
 auf das Krankenlager, von dem ich mich in meinen hohen Jah- 
 ren nur langsam erholen konnte und wobei ich meine sonst so 
 unverwustliche Arbeitskraft fast eingebiisst habe, und so werde 
 ich den noch sehr grossen Schatz meiner Lebenserinnerungen 
 wohl unbenutzt mit mir ins Jenseits binubernehmen miissen." 68 
 The vexations and disappointment, added to the activities of 
 these twelve years, had sapped the vitality of the old man. 
 
 w See Kolnische Zeitung, 18. August, 1889. 
 
58 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 A certain feeling of having sustained injuries at the hands 
 of humanity, a trait which can be noticed throughout all his 
 works, became only the more pronounced in his later years. He 
 even entertained a sense of distrust toward those who were near 
 and dear to him. But especially was this distrust manifested 
 toward his publishers. So much did he fear the unlawful publi 
 cation of his works, that, while a work of his was being set up, 
 he would each evening enter the office and seal the compositor s 
 forms. This accounts for the strange explanatory note at the 
 end of some of his works, 64 to the effect that certain inversions 
 of type that will be noticed throughout the work are due to no 
 error on the part of the compositors. Strubberg resorted to 
 this as a means of detecting all illegitimate reprints of such works. 
 
 After the death of his sister Emilie, which probably occurred 
 in 1876, Strubberg appears to have engaged a housekeeper and 
 remained in Kassel for some time. In 1885 the novelist, prob 
 ably for pecuniary reasons, moved his household to Gelnhausen 
 on the Kinzig. Here in this quiet little Hessian town, once the 
 proud seat of Friedrich Barbarossa, Strubberg spent the few 
 remaining years of his life in peace and quiet. 
 
 The literary products of these few years are only the pitiful 
 endeavors of senility, and reflect no credit whatever upon the 
 author. Remembering the successes of his earlier years, he even 
 ventured on expressing himself in dramatic form. Unmindful 
 that his earlier successes were due alone to the fact that his 
 works reflected the actual experiences of an interesting life, he 
 now chose material quite out of his sphere. Der Freigeist, Die 
 Quadrone, Gustavus Adolphus, and Friedrich Barbarossa are 
 only fearful proof of the author s total lack of dramatic school 
 ing. The absolute failure of these plays is in the highest degree 
 pathetic. 
 
 Strubberg also seems to have had plans for publishing an 
 abridged edition of his works. The infirmities of old age prob 
 ably hindered him in this task, for no such edition was published. 
 
 There are those in Gelnhausen today who vividly recall the 
 
 * Cf . Friedrichsburg and Aus Armand s Frontierleben. 
 
Friedrich Annand Strubberg 59 
 
 distinguished and mysterious Dr. Strubberg. They remember 
 him as a wonderful narrator, one who drew yarns from some 
 inexhaustible source. He was a tall man, of gigantic frame, and 
 proud bearing. A well-kept wig and long moustaches carefully 
 curled by his housekeeper, gave evidence of his personal scrupu 
 lousness. Reclining on a panther s skin, draped over a huge 
 divan, once the property of Jerome Bonaparte, the aged author, 
 passionately smoking one cigarette after another, was never 
 reluctant to entertain the willing listeners who gathered about 
 him. The gray-coated eye and an arm which was shrivelled up 
 from having been wounded by a poisonous Indian arrow only 
 added conviction to his wild tales of life among the Indians on 
 the unexplored frontiers of America. The ladies remember him 
 as a tall chivalrous gentleman who had a most fascinating man 
 ner of paying court to their gentle sex. The men remember 
 him as a tall man of gigantic strength, who even in these latter 
 days drew an Indian bow with a vigor which defied their own 
 strength. To the children of Gelnhausen the author of Karl 
 Scharnhorst. Abenteuer eines deutschen Knaben in Amerika was 
 Uncle Strubberg. One of these children, now the poet Carl 
 Heinz Hill, many years later wrote of these days : "In meiner 
 Erinnerung sehe ich ihn, als ware es gestern gewesen, vor sei- 
 nem roten Mahogoni-Schreibtisch sitzen, auf dem unter Glasge- 
 hausen drei Elfenbeinfiguren standen. An den Wanden hingen 
 dicht verschleierte Bilder, Felle erbeuteter Tiere und WafTen in 
 Menge. Er selbst war ein grosser Kinderfreund und oft bin ich 
 hiniibergelaufen zum Onkel Strubberg. Sein Karl Scharnhorst, 
 den er mir damals schenkte, gait mir ein Heiligtum. . . , 65 
 
 Strubberg s long and interesting life was drawing to a close. 
 Eccentric in many respects, he had purchased a tombstone some 
 time before his death, had his epitaph, with the exception of the 
 date of his decease, engraved upon it, and had it placed in the 
 basement of his dwelling. His last days were made wretched 
 by an acute abdominal disease. He died on April 3, 1889, and 
 was buried in the old graveyard in Gelnhausen. A small head- 
 
 See Die Heimstatt, i. Marz, 1907. 
 
60 Fried rich Armand Strubberg 
 
 stone, shaded by several evergreens and in an iron enclosure over 
 which riot the vines of the American clematis, which he desired 
 to have upon his grave, mark the final resting-place of the wan 
 derer. On the tombstone we read : 
 
 Hier ruht in Gott 
 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 Schriftsteller Armand, 
 geboren zu Cassel am 18. Marz 1806 
 gestorben zu Gelnhausen am 3. April 1889. 
 
 Am Totensonntag war s, da trieb mich s zu dem Ort, 
 
 Wo man lebend ger Seelen tote Hiille barg; 
 
 Es war so feierlich, so friedlich dort, 
 
 Leicht strich der Herbstwind nur von Sarg zu Sarg. 
 
 Da trat ich auch zu deiner Ruhstatt hin, 
 
 Ein kleines Eisengitter schliesst sie ein; 
 
 Durch die Cypressen fiel ein Sonnenstrahl 
 
 Auf s Epheu und den schwarzen Marmorstein. 
 
 Da kam mir s plotzlich wieder in den Sinn, 
 
 Wie ich als kleiner Bursch, auf deinem Schooss gesessen, 
 
 Und manch Erinnerungsbild ward in mir wach, 
 
 Das langst verschwommen mir in nuchternem Vergessen 
 
 Und froh gedacht ich jener Jugendstunden, 
 
 Da du mir einst erzahlt aus deinem reichen Leben 
 
 Von Lowenjagden, Kampf und Kriegswunden, 
 
 Von Stadten denen du Gesetz gegeben. 
 
 "Uniiberwindlich" warst du einst genannt, 
 Siegreich gingst du hervor aus Kampf und Not, 
 Bis schliesslich dich der eine iiberwand, 
 Dem noch kein Sterblicher bestand, der Tod. 
 
 Da fallt mein Blick auf seines Grabstein s Schrift, 
 
 Und was mich heut zu diesem Orte fiihrte, 
 
 Das ward im Augenblick mir sonnenklar ; 
 
 Ja man vergass den Dank, der ihm gebiihrte 
 
 Am Tag , an dem sein hundertster Geburtstag war, 
 
 Mit keinem Worte hatt man sein gedacht 
 
 Und doch war seine gauze Lebenszeit 
 
 Der Arbeit um das Menschenwohl geweiht. 
 
 Es lacht der Teufel, wenn der Undank lacht. 
 
STRUBBERG S GRAVE IN GELNHAUSEN 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 61 
 
 Nun komm ich heute friih genug zu spat, 
 
 Um die Erinnerung an ihn wachzurufen, 
 
 Sein Leben war zu gross, als dass in nichts verweht 
 
 Was Geist und Arbeitskraft einst in ihm schufen. 66 
 
 See Carl Heinz Hill in Die Heimstatt, Mar. i, 1907. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 STRUBBERG S WORKS. 
 
 Strubberg s predecessor Sealsfield has left an enduring legacy 
 to realism. Strange as it may seem, his works were nevertheless 
 inaffective in eradicating that romantic attitude toward America 
 which existed among the German people at the beginning of the 
 nineteenth century. The influence of his works was potent among 
 the student and literary classes rather than among the great mass 
 of the German reading public. This is due partly to the sketchy, 
 disconnected manner which he only too frequently employs in the 
 treatment of his material, partly also to the strange "Kauder- 
 welsch" and peculiar sentence structure which the author con 
 sciously affected in order to convey in German the peculiarities of 
 English speech in America, and also to the introduction of a great 
 mass of Spanish, French, and English words and phrases, all of 
 which features helped to make his works quite impossible for the 
 average reader. Nor were Sealsfield s works published in Ger 
 many with the hope that the masses might become better informed 
 of conditions in North America. In the most popular of Seals- 
 field s works, Das Cajutenbuch (1841), we even read this rather 
 startling footnote :".... bloss Gebildeten sind diese Bucher 
 verstandlich, den Ungebildeten oder Halbgebildeten werden sie 
 schwerlich befriedigen, . . ." In the "Vorwort" to Sealsfield s 
 Der Virey und die Aristokraten oder Mexiko im Jahre 1812, the 
 publisher writes : "Obwohl iibrigens dieses Buch fiir alle Klassen 
 der biirgerlichen Gesellschaft geschrieben ist, so glauben wir doch, 
 um Niemandes Erwartungen zu tauschen, beifugen zu miissen, 
 dass nur der hoher Gebildete, oder der mit dem weltgeschichtli- 
 
 (62) 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 63 
 
 chen Gange dieses merkwiirdigen Reiches bekannt werden Wol- 
 lende, wahren und hohen Genuss schopfen wird." 
 
 Sealsfield in his works everywhere betrays the student and 
 reader, a trait which is easily explained when we remember that 
 he spent five years (1808-1813) as a student in the "Kreuzher- 
 renstift" in Prague, and ten more years in the same institution as 
 a monk. He appears to have had an uncommon acquaintance with 
 English literature, and his fondness for allusion to English 
 authors in the course of his works cannot always have been pleas 
 ant to his German readers, nor is his display of learning always 
 in good taste. 1 His love of erudite comparisons often leads to 
 rather strange effects. 2 
 
 Returning now to an examination of the works of Friedrich 
 August Strubberg, we find in them to a great degree just the 
 opposite characteristics. Strubberg s works are essentially for 
 the general mass of readers. His language is smooth, and re 
 markable for its lucid sentences and lack of Germanized Latin 
 words. This is all the more remarkable when we remember the 
 author s long residence abroad. Strubberg seldom attempts to 
 characterize by means of peculiarities of language. His Indians 
 express themselves usually in a highly poetic German. This may 
 be a point subject to criticism, and will therefore be referred to 
 in the consideration of his individual works. Foreign words are 
 seldom introduced and footnotes in explanation of textual peculi 
 arities rarely appear. 
 
 1 In George Howard s, Esq., und Ralph Doughby s, Esq., Brautfahrt 
 (1834), Sealsfield characterizes American women, but incidentally criticizes 
 Cooper. In the same work he mentions Ben Jonson, Scott, Bulwer, the 
 witches of Macbeth, and an Elegy by the American poet Paulding; also he 
 quotes from J. S. Knowles The Beggar of Bethnal Green. In the Cajiiten- 
 buch he speaks of Irving s Sleepy Hollow and criticizes Bulwer. 
 
 2 In Nathan, der Squattor-Regulator (1837) we read p. 440: "Unter ihnen 
 ragt der alte Nathan wie eine tausendjahrige Lebenseiche, oder ein gothischer 
 Dom." 
 
 Of a Kentuckian (George Howard s, Esq., etc., p. 250, in Ed. of 
 1894), he writes: "Seine Gesichtsfarbe ist ganz das Colorit von Benjamin 
 Wests Tode auf dem Pferde." 
 
 In Pflanserleben und die Farbigen, he sees a group of negro women 
 with their pickaninnies and thinks the scene a worthy subject for the Dutch 
 painters Wouvermann and Van der Velde. 
 
64 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 Here it must be observed that Strubberg had by no means 
 enjoyed a literary training. His literary career is in many 
 respects a unique one. Although he enjoyed excellent educational 
 facilities under the parental roof, they must nevertheless have 
 been only of a general nature. He never attended a German uni 
 versity, for he had been destined for a business career and to 
 that end entered a mercantile house in Bremen at the age of 
 sixteen. 
 
 In 1827, while Sealsfield was working day and night in his 
 room at 236 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, as correspondent for 
 Cotta s German Journal, or engaged on his first novel Tokeah or 
 the White Rose, an Indian Tale (Phila., 1828), young Fritz 
 Strubberg had taken up residence in New York as a business 
 man. During these years of his first stay in America nothing 
 could have been farther removed from his mind than the intention 
 of putting his American experiences into literary form. If the 
 impressions which America made on his really susceptible tem 
 perament sought a medium of expression it was rather that of the 
 pencil or brush. 3 
 
 While Sealsfield was giving all his time to literary pursuits 
 in the little Swiss town of Tagerweilen (1832-1837) and steadily 
 acquiring fame, Strubberg was again in Germany aiding his 
 father in the tobacco business. At the close of the thirties, at a 
 time when Sealsfield already rivalled Scott in letters, Strubberg 
 returned to America to try his fortune anew. Long after Seals- 
 field had brought his literary career to a close (and let it be 
 observed that Sealsfield was Strubberg s senior by only thirteen 
 years) Strubberg was still living the life of a frontiersman. Far 
 removed from the book markets of the East he could not even have 
 been informed of Germany s literary activities, had his interests 
 lain that way. Though he had lived in Germany during the upris- 
 
 3 We recall here S. s sketch of Niagara Falls (see My Biographical 
 Sketch of S.). S. s first work Amer. Jagd u. Reiseabenteuer was illustrated 
 by sketches from his own pen. 
 
Friedrich Arinand Strubberg 65 
 
 ings of the thirties, and though he often expresses "Young Ger 
 man" ideas in his works, we have no reason to suppose that Strub 
 berg was personally deeply interested in those political differences 
 which led the "Zweiunddreissiger" to emigrate to America. When 
 the "Achtundvierziger" came, Strubberg had already lived on the 
 frontier many years. His reasons for coming to America were 
 purely personal ones. 
 
 Strubberg occupies a unique position in the history of German 
 letters. He was led to a literary career by the merest accident, 
 but for the intervention of which he might have ended his days as 
 a planter in Arkansas. Far from being a literary man, not even 
 widely read in his own literature, much less in a foreign, we see 
 him publishing his first work in his fifty-second year. Influenced 
 by no literary tendency, a member of no literary school, he wrote, 
 so to speak, "frei von der Leber." A normal man, physically 
 strong, and mentally alert, he possessed a good store of that knowl 
 edge and wisdom which is acquired by one who has been about the 
 world and thrown on his own resources. He sought to express 
 that which he had seen, experienced, and heard, in a simple, 
 straightforward manner. There are but few literary allusions 4 
 and little conformity to the prescribed forms of art. Having 
 lived a life which again proves that truth is stranger than fiction, 
 it is but natural that on having the pen pressed in his hand he 
 should draw on his own varied experiences. 
 
 An endeavor to appeal to the popular reader can be noticed 
 in all of Strubberg s novels. The -rich mass of ethnographic ma 
 terial with which Strubberg was so intimately acquainted by 
 virtue of his life among the Indians, negroes, and frontiersmen, 
 though it must always be considered the most important element 
 in his works, was in itself not sufficient to warrant interest. 
 Strubberg therefore made this material readable by adding a 
 
 * In the course of his works Irving is mentioned, a knowledge of Cooper 
 is intimated; also the Irish poet Moore is several times referred to, as is also 
 Robinson Crusoe. 
 
66 Friedrich Armand Strubbcrg 
 
 thread of romance. It must be acknowledged that Strubberg 
 never quite learned how to create anything like a finely motivated 
 plot. His novels are often extremely bizarre and do not conform 
 to the stricter canons of novelistic art. The means which he 
 employed for holding the attention of the reader through four or 
 five volumes is best illustrated by the following anecdote, related 
 by W. Bennecke : "Bei meiner Bekanntschaf t mit Armand war es 
 natiirlich, dass ich ihm, den alten, gewiegten Romancier, meine 
 ersten novellistischen Versuche zur Durchsicht gab, aber er war 
 von der einfachen Erzahlung in denselben wenig erbaut." "Mehr 
 Ferrer!" war seine standige Ermahung, "das ist Alles recht 
 schon und gut, aber mehr Peffer !" 6 
 
 Strubberg spared no "Peffer" in his endeavors to make his 
 story interesting. He loves to deal in strong contrasts and not 
 infrequently passes over into the sensational. Also, for the 
 reader of today there is an excess of sentimentality. Strubberg 
 had in reality but one theme : His own life on the extreme frontier 
 of Texas, but he knew how to play numberless variations upon 
 that theme. No matter in what part of America or in what 
 period he opens a novel he is almost certain to have recurrence 
 later to the rolling prairies of the State which he knew so well. 
 It is not surprising then to find his works to a large degree auto 
 biographic. Strubberg himself appears in the third person in a 
 great number of his works, and is always an interesting and 
 attractive character. Between the ages of 52 and 72 (1858-1878) 
 Strubberg published 57 volumes of novels, all of which appeared 
 under his second baptismal name, that of Armand. A detailed 
 account of the contents of these somewhat loosely knit works, 
 would take us far beyond the bounds of this monograph. Only 
 a brief treatment of Strubberg s works follows here in the order 
 of their appearance : 
 
 * See Aus Armand s Leben. Hessenland. No. 10. Kassel, 16. Mai, 1889. 
 
Fried-rich Armand Strubberg 67 
 
 NOVELS. 
 
 1858. Amerikanicshe Jagd- und Reiseabentener aus meinem 
 Leben in den westlichen Indianergebieten. Mit 24 vom Ver- 
 fasser nach der Natur entworfenen Skizzen. Von Armand. 
 Cotta, Stuttgart, i Bd. 
 
 In this first work Strubberg at once transports the reader to 
 his settlement on the Leona, a tributary of the Rio Grande. Here 
 on the extreme western frontier of Texas, on territory of the 
 Comanche Indians, at the foothills of the Cordilleras, Strubberg, 
 in company with three other German colonists, had erected his 
 dwelling place, one side facing the river, the other three enclosed 
 by palisades fourteen feet in height. To the North was a dense, 
 primitive forest ; to the South stretched the rolling prairie ; to the 
 West lay unexplored Indian lands; to the East, the nearest set 
 tlement was eighty hours distant on horseback. 
 
 The author describes in great minuteness several years of 
 his life here on the frontier of Texas, beyond which no other 
 colonist had at that time ventured. Strubberg s chief pursuit was 
 the hunt, which frequently took him for weeks from the settle 
 ment. Mounted on his white stallion Czar, sired by one of the 
 six white Berber horses presented to President Taylor by the 
 Sultan of Morocco, and his faithful bloodhound Trust, two 
 faithful companions which become familiar figures in others of 
 his works, Strubberg exploited the surrounding country far and 
 near. It is the description of these journeys that forms the chief 
 substance for this work. His struggles with the Indians are most 
 vividly narrated. Comanches, Weicos, Catos, Lepans, the peace 
 ful Delawares, who had been given government lands along the 
 Kansas, Mescalieros, Blackfoots, Kitscheis, Apaches, Kikapus, 
 and Pahnees cross our path at various times. Strubberg appears 
 to have the closest acquaintance with the Comanches, though by 
 description of manners and customs, and the delineation of 
 features or dress, he makes careful efforts to distinguish between 
 the various other tribes. The Indian of the West has perhaps 
 nowhere in German literature been treated in a more strikingly 
 objective manner. His Indians, with possibly a few exceptions, 
 
68 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 are not the academic type, made so popular through the works of 
 Cooper. Strubberg knew much less of the history of the Ameri 
 can Indian than did Cooper, but he had a more direct acquaint 
 ance and did not hesitate to draw him as he was. The North 
 American Indians were, as he himself said, pronounced "Lumpe." 
 Strubberg had already been an eager huntsman in his earlier 
 days in Hessen. His ardor for the hunt with all that pertains to 
 it explains the minuteness with which he relates his experiences. 
 Overlooking a certain tedium which results from a detailed narra 
 tion of adventures somewhat similar in nature, the book is quite 
 unexcelled in its faithful pictures of animal and plant life in 
 Texas before the approach of the white man. Though we may 
 rest assured that the author has invented many of the incidents 
 employed, and that his marksmanship was somewhat less phenom 
 enal, the fact nevertheless remains that the work could only have 
 been written by one who had had direct acquaintance with that of 
 which he wrote. Strubberg s eye was always open to nature. 
 Nothing is overlooked. The buffalo moving over the prairie in 
 herds of thousands, the various species of bears, deer, antelope, 
 panther, jaguar, Mexican pig, wolf, beaver, and condor, are all 
 carefully described. With the knowledge of one who has lived 
 for years beyond the boundaries of civilization, he further de 
 scribes the preparation of the various animals for food, and the 
 process of tanning their hides for raiment. The rich plant life 
 of Texas equally engages his attention. With the scrupulousness 
 of a botanist and the eye of an artist he acquaints us with the 
 magnolia, pecan, yucca, cactus, aloe, mosquito tree, laurel, live 
 oak, and numberless other trees, shrubs and herbs. Strubberg is 
 peculiarly happy in bringing local atmosphere into his landscapes. 
 The following is a fair illustration of his poetic yet realistic 
 method (p. 2 f.) : "Nach einem sehr heissen Friihlingstage hatte 
 ich eines Abends diese Quellen aufgesucht, da es mir zu spat 
 geworden, um nach Hause zu reiten ; die Nacht war prachtig, die 
 Magnolien und grossbliihenden Cactusse senkten ihren Vanille- 
 duft herunter zu mir bis in das hohe, kiihle Gras, ein Feuermeer 
 von Milliarden von Leuchtkafern spriihte von Secunde zu Se- 
 cunde seine Blitze iiber die endlosen Grasflachen umher, ein 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 69 
 
 galanter Spottvogel (die amerikanische Nachtigall) flotete seine 
 siissen Melodien aus der Spitze einer dunkeln Magnolie iiber mir 
 in die todtstille Nacht hinaus. Die ganze Natur schien sich der 
 Schonheit dieser Nacht zu freuen und Tausende von Insekten 
 aller Art taumelten in ihren Orgientanzen vor mir in mem kleines 
 Lagerfetter. Es war eine Nacht, wie sie Elfen zu ihren Spielen 
 sich erwahlen, und lange habe ich unverwandt nach der uner- 
 griindlichen blatien Tiefe vor mir geblickt. Die Quellen rollten 
 wohl unaufhorlich ihre frischen Krystallwellen der Oberflache zu, 
 aber die Loreleys wollten nicht kommen, sie haben sich nach 
 Amerika noch nicht verirrt. . . . Der Morgen war so herrlich 
 wie die Nacht. Im Osten begrenzte die flache Prairie den Hori- 
 zont gleich einem Meer; der dunkle Himmel prangte noch im 
 vollsten Schmuck mit alien seinen Juwelen, wahrend schon der 
 Saum seines Gewandes in brennendes Karmin getaucht war; es 
 floh die Nacht schnell den Bergen zu und ihr nach zog der Tag 
 in seinem schonsten Festkleide. Die Sonne stieg gross iiber die 
 Prairie auf und beleuchtete ein Feld, worauf eine Saat von Bril- 
 lanten aufgegangen war, und der schwere Thau beugte die 
 Haupter der zarten Pflanzen, als hielten sie ihr Morgendankgebet 
 fur die Erquickung, welche ihnen zu Theil geworden. Auch ich 
 war vollig von dem Thau durchnasst und musste meinen hirsch- 
 ledernen Anzug zum Trocknen an das Feuer hangen; das Leder 
 war namlich iiber Holzrauch durchgerauchert, was das Hartwer- 
 den beim Trocknen verhiitet." 
 
 It is safe to assert that in no other work in German litera 
 ture, and perhaps in no other literature, has the prairie of West 
 ern America been portrayed in all its various moods with more 
 skill than in this work. Strubberg excells especially in describ 
 ing nature s grander and more sombre phenomena: the dark 
 hurricane whirling across the rolling plains, the crash of thunder, 
 the flash of lightning, and the devastating hail ; or the all-devour 
 ing prairie fire, with the mad stampede of cattle, mustangs, and 
 wild animals of the prairie fleeing before its scorching flames. The 
 following description of a prairie fire is a characteristic example 
 of Strubberg s simple but vivid prose style (p. 147 f.) : 
 
70 Friedrich Armand Strubbcrg 
 
 Die Prairien standen in Flammen. Zwar sah ich noch 
 nicht das Feuer selbst, aber die schwarzen Rauchwolken drang- 
 ten sich schon dicht iibereinander fortrollend am Horizont herauf 
 und der Sturm trng sie bald vor mir iiber die letzte blaue Stelle 
 des Himmels. Nur eine Rettung noch war moglich ; es gait eine 
 Hohe zu erreichen, wo das Gras niedriger war, und ohne mich zu 
 besinnen, gab ich Czar die Sporen und Ziigel und flog mit dem 
 Sturmwind um die Wette iiber den Graswald vor mir. 
 
 "Ich sah mich um; auf der ganzen weiten Flache hinter mir 
 lag es duster und dunkel, wie einbrechende Nacht, und unter den 
 schwarz aufsteigenden Rauchwolken reckten die dunkelrothen, 
 nach unten hellgliihenden Flammen ihre langen Zungen daran 
 herauf und warfen ihr furchtbares Licht auf die Umrisse der 
 wolkigen Rauchsaulen. Die ganze Ebene schien lebendig zu wer- 
 den; so weit das Auge reichte, war sie iibersaet mit fliehenden 
 Herden der Bewohner clieser Wildniss, deren schwarze Gestal- 
 ten mit einem Feuerschein umgeben waren und sich iiber die in 
 der Gluth zitternde Flache fortdriingten. Es war wie das Bild 
 des jiingsten Gerichts, das mir meine Phantasie oft gemalt 
 hatte. . . . 
 
 "Nicht mehr weit hatte ich zu der Hohe vor mir; noch ein- 
 mal die Sporen und mein gellender Jagdruf, nnd ich flog die 
 Hohe hinauf und hobblete mein zitterndes, schnaubendes Pferd 
 auf der kahlen, mit Kies und ganz diinn mit Gras bedeckten klei- 
 nen Flache. Mit dem Feuerzeug in der Hand rannte ich zurikk 
 nach dem hohen Gras, ziindete es an, und im Augenblick schlugen 
 die Flammen, wild gegen den Sturm ankampfend, in die Hohe 
 und schwangen sich, die schwarzen clicken Rauchwolken gegen 
 den finstern Himmel rollend, um meinen Hiigel herum, bis sie 
 sich an seiner ostlichen Seite vereinten und unter lautem Knistern 
 und Krachen sich wie eine Lawine mit dem heulenden Sturme 
 fortwalzten. Jetzt erst blickte ich zuriick, mein braves, von der 
 Hobble wieder befreites Pferd am Ziigel haltend, hinunter auf 
 die fiirchterlich belebte Flache, und sah, wie die dunkeln leben- 
 den Gestalten, sich rechts und links in dem Thai unter dem 
 Hiigel fortdrangten. Die ganze Thierwelt schien hier vereint 
 und die letzten Krafte anzuspannen, um dem Flammentode zu 
 
Fnedrich Annand Stnibberg 71 
 
 entrinnen. Zu beiden Seiten unter mir donnerte im wirren Ge- 
 wiihl Heerde hinter Heerde voriiber, Biifrel, Pferde, Hirsche und 
 Antilopen drangten sich bunt durcheinander, und zwischen ihnen 
 stiirzten Baren, Tiger, Panther und Wolfe, einer nach dem an- 
 dern, unbekiimmert vorwarts, das Gesicht von der Gluth abge- 
 wandt, die der Sturm mit einem dichten schwarzen Aschenregen 
 tiber das Land blies. Dunkle, schwarze Nacht hullte mich jetzt 
 ein, nur ein matter rothlicher Schein schimmerte von den Flam- 
 men her durch das dichte Aschengestober, wahrend der Orkan 
 seine hochste Wuth entfaltete und sein Gewimmer mit dem dump- 
 fen, die Erde erschiitternden Donner der fliehenden Thiermassen 
 unter mir verschmolz." 
 
 The life of Strubberg s three fellow-colonists, their various 
 domestic activities, the cultivation of the soil, and the defense 
 of the palisaded settlement against the attack of Indians, are 
 all carefully depicted. The arrival of an occasional bee-hunter, 
 trapper, or prospective squatter, was an occurrence of great sig 
 nificance in the history of this solitary settlement. Strubberg s 
 own adventures, however, afford the greater part of the material. 
 
 Much of the second half of the work describes a journey to 
 the Rocky Mountains which Strubberg made in company with 
 Konigstein, one of the three German colonists, and several other 
 young men who had lately settled on the frontier. On this 
 journey, which continued for several months, they visited the 
 Red River, the Sacramento Mountains, the Canadian River, the 
 Arkansas, the Hot Springs, the Rio Grande, Rio Colorado, and 
 North Platte. In the vicinity of the Black Hills the party met 
 the exploring expedition of a certain Lord S. The author gives 
 the reader a picture of the motley components of such early 
 expeditions to the West before the great transcontinental mi 
 grations to the gold fields of California began. 
 
 In a manner most interesting to the American of today the 
 author also shows the gradual appearance of other frontiersmen 
 in the domain where he had been sovereign for a number of 
 years. Encroaching civilization was disturbing the happy, idyllic 
 life which he had so long enjoyed here in the solitude of nature. 
 "Mein Leben," he writes (p. 229), "nahm iiberhaupt von jetzt 
 
72 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 an eine andere Richtung. . . . Somit war das sorglose, gliick- 
 liche Leben, welches mich hier, fern den Menschen, jahrelang 
 tingestort umgeben hatte, zu Encle, und der Geldgott mit seinen 
 tausenderlei Leiden, Gehassigkeiten und Sorgen fing an seine 
 despotische Herrschaft auch hier zu grtinden. . . . Die Ruhe 
 war verschwunden und hatte der rastlosen Thatigkeit der Civili 
 sation Platz gemacht." 
 
 Strubberg s novel, if we may give a work which has not even 
 a thread of a story to connect one part with another, such a name 
 is an Ich-Roman. In fact the work harks back to Robinson 
 Crusoe and the novel of adventure. In true epic fashion the 
 hero, here the author himself, recounts his adventures. In this 
 work there is no atempt to appeal to the reader by means of a 
 story. There is nothing to relieve the tedium of 460 octavo pages 
 but the author s animating style and his ability to give ex 
 periences often somewhat similar in character, fresh interest by 
 minute descriptions of plants, animals and natural beauties. 
 
 The book, by virtue of its matter, must appeal more to male 
 readers. The author would have us believe that these adventures 
 were originally written for his sister Emilie, while he was still in 
 America. 6 It is more probable, however, that Strubberg, as 
 Bennecke relates, 7 was encouraged to write his adventures at the 
 suggestion of the male friends who gathered and heard his 
 yarns in Hotel Schombardt, on the Wilhelmshohe. The written 
 sketches made a very favorable impression upon his friends. He 
 was urged to seek a publisher, and found one in Cotta 8 of 
 Stuttgart. 
 
 The work is illustrated with twenty-four sketches by the 
 author himself. 9 Though showing no remarkable talent, they are 
 further proof of the author s conscientious endeavors to give to 
 
 6 Cf. "Vorwort" to Amer. Jagd- u. Reiseabenteuer. 
 
 1 Cf. Aus Armand s Leben. Hessenland. No. 9. Kassel, 2. Mai, 
 
 8 The Cotta Pub. House had identified itself with the publication of 
 "Young German" literature, and especially with works relating to America. 
 Cotta had also published Sealsfield s first work. 
 
 8 Strubberg in the "Vorwort" writes that most of these sketches were 
 made upon the spot. That he engaged in sketching while living on the frontier 
 is further shown in a passage on page 6 of the above work. 
 
Fried-rich Armand Strubberg 73 
 
 the reader a faithful picture of Texan landscape, and of plant and 
 animal life as he beheld it. 
 
 The value of the work for us of today lies in just this faith 
 ful portrayal of animal and plant life, and in the wealth of ethno 
 graphic material it contains concerning the aborigines at a time in 
 American history when the culture of the white man had not yet 
 overtaken them. 
 
 The second edition of the work appeared in 1876; the 
 third in 1892; the fourth in 1901. 
 
 1858. Bis in die Wildniss. Von Armand. E. Tremendt. 
 Breslau. 4 Bde. 
 
 This is Strubberg s first pretentious literary venture. Its 
 lack of form as a novel may be due to the fact that the author s 
 interest lay more in the tracing out of his own life than in the 
 romance itself. This work is one of the richest for autobio 
 graphical material. How much of it is "Truth" and how much 
 "Fiction," it would be difficult to determine with definiteness. 
 Strubberg had evidently early conceived the plan of embodying 
 the various periods of his life in America in literary form. It is 
 to be noted, too, that it is in his first works in which he himself 
 plays the most prominent part. 
 
 The time of action of this work antedates that of his first 
 work Amer. Jagd- und Reiseabenteuer. It covers the period be 
 tween the author s departure from Europe and the beginning of 
 his life on the banks of the Leona. The novel opens in Rotter 
 dam. Armand sails for America on the sailing vessel "Medina." 
 The visit described is his second to America, made in the latter 
 years of the thirties. His first visit, made about ten years earlier, 
 is also referred to. Madame Brillot, a Creole lady and her seven 
 daughters are fellow-passengers on the "Medina" to New Or 
 leans. Strubberg, like Cooper, shows himself at home at sea and 
 introduces some striking effects. In the first volume Strubberg 
 first manifests his interest in the slavery of the South. Slavery 
 afterwards is given prominent consideration in a number of his 
 works. 
 
 Armand, while on the "Medina," falls in love with Eugenie, 
 the eldest of Madame Brillot s daughters. On arriving in New 
 
74 Friedrich Armand Stnibbcrg 
 
 Orleans he accompanies the Brillots to their summer home on 
 Lake Ponchartrain, where he and Eugenie become betrothed. 
 Marriage with Eugenie is prevented through the intervention of 
 a Methodist clergyman. 
 
 We now follow Armand from Lake Ponchartrain to Mo 
 bile, and thence by way of Alabama and Georgia to Charleston, 
 S. C. After a short time he goes to Wilmington, N. C, and thence 
 by rail to Richmond whence he takes a steamer to Baltimore, 
 "die Stadt der Monumente." From there he journeys by rail to 
 New York, where he has letters of credit to several business 
 houses. Armand takes up residence in New York as a shipping 
 merchant. We are now made acquainted with the New York of 
 the thirties through the medium of a German. Here is intro 
 duced the love episode with Mary Mercer and the fatal duel with 
 her cousin John Mercer, upon which Armand leaves New York 
 as a fugitive from the law. He journeys to Cincinnati as Mr. 
 Frederick, thence to Louisville, becomes a student of 
 medicine in the medical school there, and after two years 
 receives his doctor s diploma. He now prepares himself 
 for his journey to the West in search of a suitable place to 
 settle. Starting from Memphis on his lately purchased white 
 stallion Czar, and accompanied by his bloodhound Trust, 
 he crosses the river into Arkansas, continues by way of Little 
 Rock and Ultima Thule, a border town of Arkansas, across 
 Choctaw Indian lands to Dallas, Texas, and on to the San Saba 
 Mountains. 10 After following the Rio Grande for some time he 
 comes to its tributary, the Leona, on which he chooses a suitable 
 stretch of land for settlement. He returns by way of San An 
 tonio, Austin and Nagadoches to Louisiana. At Natchez he 
 takes the steamer to Memphis. On arriving he sets about at once 
 to prepare himself for his proposed stay on the frontier, and to 
 that purpose interests three men, a saddler, a carpenter and an 
 agriculturist, to accompany him. The work closes with the 
 erection of the palisaded fortress on the Leona. 
 
 "Reference to an atlas will show how accurately Strubberg endeavors 
 to describe his travels. 
 
Friedrich Annand Strubberg 75 
 
 The above brief outline of Bis in die Wildniss is filled out 
 with observations on the most varied phases of American life: 
 City, country, political, social and religious conditions. The 
 ravages of yellow fever in New Orleans, the sufferings and mal 
 treatment of slaves on the Southern plantations, the religious 
 fervor and emotionalism of Methodism, the famous quadroon 
 balls of New Orleans and the sensuous beauty of their partici 
 pants, society life in New York, horse-racing, a great political 
 convention in Baltimore in the interests of the presidential candi 
 date Clay these form a part of the extensive panorama of Amer 
 ican life here shown. 
 
 Strubberg s observations are sometimes exaggerated and 
 betray an endeavor to appeal by sensation. On page 140 of 
 Vol. Ill, Armand describes the cowcatcher of the American train : 
 "Um das Uberrennen von Vieh zu vermeiden, befand sich vor 
 der Lokomotive eine grosse, holzerne, eisenbeschlagene Schaufel, 
 geraiimig genug, urn mehrere Stiick Rindvieh aufzunehmen und 
 so breit, dass sie zu beiden Seiten die Schienen iiberragte." On 
 the steamboat from Cincinnati to Louisville he notices a favorite 
 American sport, namely whittling ( !) (p. 143, Vol. Ill) : "Dabei 
 unterhielten sich Viele derselben mit einem Gedankenspiel, wel 
 ches so originell als seltsam erscheint, jedoch seine Reize haben 
 muss, da es in ganz Amerika sehr beliebt ist. Es hat namlich der 
 sich auf diese Weise Unterhaltende ein Stiick weiches Holz in 
 der Hand und schneidet nun mit seinem scharfen Taschenmesser 
 grosse und kleine Spahne von demselben ab, bis es ganzlich ver- 
 braucht ist, und er in einem Haufen von Holzschnitzeln sitzt, wo- 
 rauf er sein Messer auf der Schuhsohle wetzt und sich wieder 
 nach einem anderen Stiick Holz umsieht. Diese Liebhaberei geht 
 so weit, dass, wenn kein solches zu bekommen ist, man Stiihle, 
 Tische und Banke mit dem Messer angreift, weshalb namentlich 
 in den niedrigren Wirthshausern stets fur Holz zu diesem Ge- 
 brauch gesorgt wird." 
 
 For a criticism of the work in its totality we can do no better 
 than cite the remarks of Philipp Hofmeister in his "Vorwort" to 
 the first edition : 
 
76 Fried-rich Arrnand Strubberg 
 
 "Fern von dem geschaftigen Treiben grosser Stadte meine 
 Musestunden stillen literarischen Arbeiten widmend, 1st es dop- 
 pelt anziehend, die Wunder entlegener Lander, die Reize einer 
 grossartigen Natur und das rasche Wogen der Volker im Bilde 
 an sich voriiberziehen zu lassen ; imd so gestehe ich gern, dass 
 mich diese Blatter in seltener Weise gefesselt haben. Unwillkur- 
 lich drangte sich mir das schone Wort von Goethe auf : "Greift 
 nur hinein in s voile Menscheleben und wo man s packt, da ist s 
 interessant." . . . Der Verfasser giebt, was er horte, sah und 
 erlebte, giebt es ohne die Zuthat der ausschmiickenden Phantasie 
 oder der sinnenden Betrachtung. Er greift hinein in den Schatz 
 seiner reichen Erfahrung und seines treuen Gedachtnisses, Bege- 
 benheiten reihen sich an Begebenheiten, Charaktere an Charak- 
 tere, das voile Menschenleben, wie es die alte Welt schon lange 
 nicht mehr bietet, und dessen Anschauen nur Wenigen gestattet 
 ist, entrollt sich vor den erstaunten Blicken des Lesers. . . . Das 
 Meer mit seinen Gefahren, seiner erhabenen Grosse, der Urwald 
 in seiner unentweihten Schonheit und seinen Schrecken, das 
 Thierreich und die Pflanzenwelt, wie sie unter tropischer Sonne 
 sich entwickeln, der Farmer und der Stadter, der rothe Wilde und 
 der kiihne Frontier, die Freiheit und das Sclavenleben, das La- 
 ster und der Edelmuth, die Liebe und der Hass ; das sind die Ele- 
 mente, aus denen der Verfasser mit sicherer Hand und offenem 
 Auge seine Schilderungen zusammengewebt. . . . Es steht diese 
 Schrift einzig in ihrer Art da, wird eine bleibende Stelle in der 
 Literatur behaupten und fiir Deutschland, wie fiir England und 
 Amerika von hochstem Interesse sein." 
 
 This work also appeared in serial form in the Kolnische 
 Zeitung, in 1858. 
 
 A second edition of Bis in die Wildniss appeared in 1863. 
 
 1859. An der Indianer-Grenze oder Treuer Liebe Lohn. Von 
 Armand. C. Riimpler. Hannover. 4 Bde. 
 
 This third of Strubberg s works is in many respects his most 
 valuable contribution to literature. In no other of his works has 
 the cultural condition of American border life been depicted so 
 graphically ; in no other has Strubberg drawn such an array of 
 
Friedrich Annand Strubberg 77 
 
 individual characters. Sensationalism has been replaced by a gen 
 uine realism. At the same time this work includes some of Strub- 
 berg s most poetic endeavors. It is a happy combination of the 
 romantic and the realistic. Amer. Jagd- und Reiseabenteuer de 
 votes itself to those years when Strubberg still lived in his fort 
 on the Leona, far from the haunts of men. Bis in die Wildniss 
 depicts Strubberg s life before he settled on the frontier. The 
 time of An der Indianer-Grenze is a few years later, when Strub 
 berg had, so to speak, again been overtaken by civilization. The 
 surrounding territory was gradually becoming settled. The single 
 squatter, the rich planter with slaves and cattle from the South 
 ern States, as well as the criminal and outcast of society, became 
 his neighbors. To give an inclusive account of this motley soci 
 ety, its political, religious and social activities, was the task Strub 
 berg set himself to do. It is safe to assert that the work of no 
 American writer gives a more complete account of the cultural 
 conditions of the period and place under consideration. 
 
 At the opening of the work Strubberg, who has assumed the 
 name of Farnwald, already appears on his white stallion. His 
 trusty bloodhound bears the name of Joe in this novel. We read 
 
 (p. i): 11 
 
 "Es war ein schlanker, kraftiger, junger Mann, dessen Aus- 
 
 seres die Stellung in der menschlichen Gesellschaft verriet, wel- 
 cher er jetzt angehorte. Er war ein Mann von der aussersten 
 Frontiere, von der Grenze der Civilisation Nord-Amerikas, war 
 in Hirschleder gekleidet, trug ein Paar Revolver in dem Giirtel 
 um den Leib, ein langes Jagdmesser an der Seite und eine Dop- 
 pelbiichse schaukelnd vor sich auf dem Sattel. Der lange schwarze 
 Bart und der schwarze Filz, dessen breiter Rand sein Gesicht iiber- 
 schattete, gaben seiner Erscheinung fast etwas Finsteres; im 
 Widerspruch damit standen jedoch die Liebkosungen, die er sei- 
 nem Pferde durch Klopfen und Streichen mit der Hand zukom- 
 men Hess, und die freundlichen Worte, die er einem ungewohn- 
 lich grossen gelben Hunde, der vor ihm hinrannte und von Zeit 
 zu Zeit zu ihm zurikkkehrte, zurief. 
 
 11 The Weimar Ed,, 1894, has been used, 
 
78 Fried-rich Armand Strubbcrg 
 
 "Der Name dieses Reiters war Farnwald." 
 
 Further (p. 21 f.) : "Farnwald, ein geborener Deutscher, 
 hatte schon seit vielen Jahren seiner Heimat und seinen Lieben in 
 derselben Lebewohl gesagt urn sich in Amerika eine neue seinem 
 thatenlustigen, willenskraftigen Geiste mehr zusagende zu grun- 
 den. 
 
 "Vom Norden dieser neuen Welt hatte ihn sein Geschick un- 
 erwartet von Jahr zu Jahr weiter siidwestlich gefiihrt, durch Wi- 
 derwartigkeiten, Ungliicksfalle imcl bittere Lebenserfahrungen 
 ihn mehr und mehr mit der civilisierten Welt zerfallen lassen 
 und ihn zuletzt hinaus in diese fast nocli unbekannte Wildniss ge- 
 trieben. . . ." 
 
 The lonely fort on the Leona is again referred to. On page 
 23, Vol. I, Strubberg mentions the visit of the owner and editor 
 of one of the most important newspapers in the United States, 
 who visits Farnwald in order to be able to inform his readers of 
 the advantages in settling in those parts. In consequence, immi 
 grants and land speculators soon begin to arrive. During the 
 third year of Farnwald s sojourn in the fort, the first squatter 
 appeared and erected his hut about an hour distant. Upon the 
 approach of other settlers Farnwald forsook the fort and built 
 himself a more modern residence among his neighbors. A part of 
 the first volume is devoted to Farnwald s love for Owaja, a beau 
 tiful Lepan-Indian maid. This delightful little episode, no in 
 tegral part of the work, has been called the most poetic thing 
 Strubberg has ever written. 12 Owaja is a beautiful child of na 
 ture, naive and good. She is one of Strubberg s Rousseauian cre 
 ations, a descendant of the children of Chateaubriand and Bernar- 
 din St. Pierre, only more effective. Strubberg was clever at 
 contrasts. It is his skilful handling of the romantic over against 
 a background often harshly realistic, that makes this novel de 
 lightful reading, in spite of its inadequacy of form. With little 
 regard for the sympathy of the reader Owaja is left to die early 
 in the work, and Farnwald s love for Dorolice, the daughter of 
 a wealthy Spanish settler, supplies most of the romance for the 
 
 12 Cf. Hermann Ethe : Der transatlantisch-exotische Roman und seine 
 Hauptvertreter in Essays und Studien, p. 92. Berlin, 1872. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 79 
 
 remainder of the novel. Around these tender tales of love Strub 
 berg has woven the varicolored threads of frontier life. Life 
 among the Indians, their customs and habits both in their villages 
 and on the hunt, their attacks on the whites, the abducting of 
 white childern, life among the planters, both cultured and crass, 
 the conditions of slavery, quarrels over land claims, the execution 
 of the law in a time when the law lay largely in the hand of the 
 individual; all is depicted in a most vivid manner. Nor are the 
 minor occurrences of frontier life omitted : The preparation of 
 food and raiment, the squatter in his fields or on the hunt, thril 
 ling court-room scenes, the gambling table, a Methodist revival 
 meeting, all find place. The reader is spared nothing. The 
 gauging and lynching scenes are realistic and thrilling enough to 
 please the most blase of readers. The negro fight in Chap. 21 of 
 Vol. II is a splendid bit of narrative, and finely illustrates the 
 author s graphic, visualizing style. 
 
 In the later half of the second volume scenes from the Mexi 
 can War are introduced. Commanding General Taylor is sta 
 tioned at Corpus Christi, awaiting orders from Washington to 
 begin the attack on the Mexicans. In the army are many volun 
 teers from the Eastern States. Farnwald himself gathers a com 
 pany, and as its Colonel leads it to the field of action. We wit 
 ness the beginning of the war on the broad plains of Palo Alto. 
 The Mexican War, however, occupies a very subsidiary place. It 
 serves to bring together Farnwald and Dorolice, his Spanish love. 
 The work closes with an intimation of their union, though Strub 
 berg in good taste never permits himself as a character to enter 
 into matrimony. 
 
 Farnwald is the predominating figure throughout the work. 
 Strubberg s fondness for portraying himself in high lights, as a 
 character epically heroic, a paragon of bravery and nobility of 
 mind, a benefactor of humanity in times of peace and a mediator 
 in periods of strife, is not always pleasing to the reader. To be 
 fair, he does not hesitate to ascribe petty weaknesses to his own 
 character, but his virtues are always greatly in preponderance. 
 Throughout the work his successes as a doctor of medicine are 
 brought out with special emphasis. 
 
8o Friedrich Armand Strnbberg 
 
 Perhaps the most evident weakness of this work is the 
 author s inability to harmoniously wield the great mass of ma 
 terial at hand. After the fashion of the ancient epic writer, all 
 must be told whether interesting or otherwise at an expense of 
 the progress of the action. Nevertheless An der Indianer-Grenze 
 remains one of Strubberg s most valuable achievements. It ap 
 peared in serial form in the Kolnische Zeitimg in the same year 
 with its publication in book form. A second edition was pub 
 lished in 1894 as "Erste Abteilung" in Armand" s ausgew. Ro- 
 mane. 
 
 1859. Alte und neue Heimath. Von Armand. Breslau. 
 Eduard Trewendt. i Bd. 
 
 As a novel this is one of the most readable of Strubberg s 
 works. As a cultural document it is invaluable for the fine pic 
 ture it gives us of one of the darkest periods in the history of the 
 State of Texas : the planting of German colonies in Texas by the 
 "Mainzer Adelsverein," through whose misdirected efforts thou 
 sands of Germans suffered untold miseries and hundreds died a 
 wretched death. In November, 1844, the first ship with immi 
 grants sent by the "Verein" had arrived; soon thereafter came 
 two others, bringing in all about seven hundred people. Late in 
 1845 four thousand three hundred and four more arrived. 13 The 
 immigrants of 1844 could not be conveyed at once to the lands 
 proposed. They were obliged to camp on the coast, and only 
 after some time were transported to the interior, where the town 
 of Neu-Braunfels was founded. Those of 1845 fared even 
 worse. Transportation was made practically impossible through 
 the fact that nearly all vehicles had been called into service by the 
 American Army for the Mexican War. They were obliged to 
 camp on the coast in wretched shelter, with only the poorest food. 
 The winter was a severe one, disease spread, and hundreds died. 
 
 Strubberg has taken for his subject the hardships of the first 
 arrival of immigrants, but he has apparently drawn on the inci 
 dents connected with the combined arrivals of 1844 and 1845. 
 The action of the novel consequently takes place during the latter 
 
 18 Cf. Festausgabe. Pp. 39 and 48. 
 
Fried-rich Armand Stnibberg 81 
 
 months of 1844 and during 1845. The author was at this time 
 in all probability living in the interior of Texas, in the vicinity of 
 the Leona. It was only in 1846 that he was called to Friedrichs- 
 burg as Colonial Director. He was consequently not acquainted 
 with his material at first hand. Through his connections with 
 the colony of Friedrichsburg in the following year he learned to 
 know many of the immigrants themselves, and had beyond a 
 doubt abundant opportunity to hear them relate their wanderings 
 from the coast to the interior of Texas. 
 
 The author introduces us to the Werner family in their 
 comfortable little home in South Germany. Few people had had 
 occasion to wander from the prosperous little town, but the "Ver- 
 ein zum Schutze deutscher Auswanderer" (Mainzer Adelsverein) 
 had issued such glowing reports of the beauties of Texas and the 
 advantages of emigrating thither that Herr Cassirer Werner and 
 family decided to embark on the emigration ship to sail for Amer 
 ica from Havre in October (evidently 1844). The adventures of 
 this family form the framework for this novel. In the second 
 chapter we stand on the coast of Texas with hundreds of other 
 Germans and await an incoming ship. On it is the Werner 
 family. The idealistic anticipation of these naive Germans is 
 most pathetic : "Nun, Kinder, ist alles Schwierige tiberwunden, 
 bald werden wir auf unserer Plantage sein," sagte Herr Werner, 
 als der Steg das Werft erreicht hatte und Alles dariiber hinunter 
 rannte. "Kommt mit mir und lasst tins die amerikanische Erde 
 betreten" (p. 29). The immigrants for want of means of trans 
 portation are obliged to remain in Galveston, some in hotels, the 
 poorer in wooden shacks without the city. It was a motley 
 crowd. "Sie stellten," writes Strubberg (p. 21), "eine wahre 
 Musterkarte aus alien moglichen Standen und Klassen der 
 menschlichen Gesellschaft dar. Hier sah man den unbehilflichen, 
 ungelenken, langhaarigen Bauer nebst Familie mit offenem Maul 
 vor den Schaufenstern der Laden stehen; da den jungen Stutzer 
 mit dem Kneifer vor dem Auge, mit Glaceehandschuhen und ho- 
 hen bespornten Absatzen nach dem Trinkhause wandern; . . . 
 den Kramer, den Soldaten, den Handwerker, den Schauspieler, 
 den Pachter, den Burger, den Edelmann, den Graf en ; Alle konnte 
 
82 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 man hier wandeln sehen nnd leicht aus ihrer Erscheinung den 
 Stand errathen, dem sie in ihrer deutschen Heimath angehort 
 batten. 
 
 "Mitnnter jedoch war der Anzug, namentlich junger Manner, 
 in dieser Beziehung triigerisch, indem dieselben bei der Wahl 
 ihrer Tracht entweder ihrem eigenen, bei ihrer Abreise von Eu- 
 ropa an Nichts mehr gebundenen Geschmack gefolgt waren, oder 
 irgend ein Ideal, welches ihre Phantasie begeisterte, zum Muster 
 gewahlt und sich darnach kostumirt hatten. Man erblickte pur- 
 purfarbene und rothe, mit Schnuren reich besetzte sammetne 
 Paletots, spanische tJberwiirfe mit aufgeschlitzten weiten Armeln, 
 italienische Anziige nach Rinaldo Rinaldini und Masaniello, Le- 
 deranziige nach Natti aus Cooper s Letztem der Mohikaner, 
 Strumpfmiitzen, mittelalterliche Reiterhute mit aufgekrampten 
 breiten Randern und mit Federn, spitze graue Filzkappen, wie sie 
 die Narren auf deutschen Maskeraden zu tragen pflegen, und 
 Stiefel-Fagons aus alien Jahrhunderten, in denen solche getragen 
 wurden. In einer Hinsicht aber stimmten diese Leute sammtlich 
 iiberein; sie waren Alle bis an die Zahne bewaffnet und trugen 
 Pistolen, Jagdmesser, so wie Dolche im Giirtel, was ihnen, im 
 Verein mit ihren abnormen Barten, ein desperates, martialisches 
 Ansehen gab." 
 
 Daily more immigrants arrived. Food and drink was sold at 
 exorbitant prices. By means of a little sailing vessel the Werners 
 are taken from Galveston to Indian Point, where other Germans 
 had also pitched their camp. From here the Werners had hoped 
 to be conveyed to the colony s lands, but the same difficulties pre 
 vailed, and they remained here. The extreme heat and want of 
 proper food soon brought on disease, and many fell victims, 
 among them one of Werner s daughters. The immigrants are 
 driven to despair. Many of them, taking with them only the 
 barest necessities, started out to reach Neu-Braunfels on foot, 
 two hundred miles distant ; only a few ever reached their destina 
 tion, the remaining ones fell by the wayside. 14 Werners deter- 
 
 "Cf. An historical account of these hardships: Franz Loeher s Gesch. 
 . Zustande der Deutschen in Amerika. Cincinnati und Leipzig, 1847. P. 351 f. 
 Also Olmsteed s Wanderungen durch Texas, etc, Lpz. 1857. P. 120 f. 
 
Fried-rich Armand Strubberg 83 
 
 mined to get conveyance at any cost. Their son Albert had been 
 sent to Neu-Braunfels in the hopes of having a vehicle sent from 
 thence. A few native whites hearing of the distress of the Ger 
 mans, came to camp with their vehicles and extorted exorbitant 
 prices for transportation. The Werners finally submit themselves 
 to a heartless teamster, who extracts an enormous sum from 
 them. Their drive over the sandy waste under a glaring sun, 
 is strikingly pictured. The teamster turns off from the road to 
 Neu-Braunfels, forsakes them there, returns and extorts more 
 money from them. The Werners contract the fever on this pro 
 tracted journey and only the eldest daughter, Matilda, survives. 
 The teamster and his brother seize all the Werner possessions. 
 
 The wanderings of Albert Werner, the son, are now taken 
 up from the time he left Indian Point for Neu-Braunfels. Albert 
 remains in Neu-Braunfels for some time ; the author incidentally 
 introduces the life and activities of that German settlement. 
 Albert, on returning to Indian Point finds the graves of his 
 parents. Not knowing of his surviving sister Matilda, he joins 
 General Taylor s forces at Point Isabel. 
 
 The Mexican War occupies a prominent place in the latter 
 part of the work. We follow Albert as one of the Texas rangers 
 (a body of ununi formed, undisciplined men, says the author, 
 whose only Commando lay in the words "at them !") to Palo Alto ; 
 as under officer he goes on to Resaca de la Palma; the Mexicans 
 are routed ; Albert becomes second lieutenant ; he camps with the 
 Americans at Matamoras; he becomes first lieutenant; they 
 march to Monterey ; Forts Federacion, Teneria and Obispada are 
 taken; Monterey is stormed, and finally capitulates, a truce fol 
 lows, during which Werner is seriously wounded by a tiger and 
 is cared for in the house of Dona Rosa Marcia Garcia. A beauti 
 ful romance develops between Albert and Dona Rosa, which 
 results in a happy union. Mathilda had been received into the 
 home of the planter Harmuth; she finds a German bridegroom 
 and is in the end restored to her brother. The novel ends with 
 a brilliant wedding scene. Strubberg s manner of treating his 
 torical matter is well illustrated by his introduction of the Mexi 
 can War. Conspicuous figures such as Generals Taylor and 
 
84 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 Worth are mentioned, but seldom permitted to take an active 
 part. A Captain Falkland takes part in the dialog and remarks 
 that he is a German. Definite historical references in connection 
 with Strubberg s introduction of the settlement of Neu-Braunfels 
 is more or less avoided. 
 
 Mention is made of Graf H., Lieutenant v. C, Graf S., and 
 Graf H. v. d. 15 The "Sophienburg," built by Prinz Solms and 
 named after his lady-love Sophia, Princess of Salm-Salm, is also 
 referred to. 16 
 
 This work went through but one edition. 
 
 1859. Scenen aus den Kdmpfen der Mexicaner und Nordameri- 
 kaner. Von Armand. Breslau. Eduard Trewendt. i Bd. 
 
 This is Strubberg s first attempt at a shorter form of the 
 novel. It is perhaps unfortunate that Strubberg did not resort to 
 a briefer form more frequently, though it must be admitted that 
 material, so varied in nature, was ill adapted for expression in a 
 brief concise form. 
 
 This work appeared in the same year with An der Indianer- 
 Grenze. It consists of two novelettes : Die Amerikaner in Mexico 
 and Der Sturm von San Antonio. In the introduction to these 
 two "Scenen" the author has given a historical account of the 
 differences that led to the war between Mexico and the United 
 States. 
 
 The first novelette, Die Amerikaner in Mexico, occupies 115 
 pages. It is the first of Strubberg s works to have a Spanish 
 milieu. It is in reality a series of scenes. A slender romance is 
 introduced toward the end of the work, but it is almost obscured 
 by the wealth of military and cultural details introduced. It 
 opens with cannon thundering forth from Forts Santiago, San 
 Jose, San Fernando and Santa Barbara over the city of Vera 
 Cruz. In the harbor lay the American fleet of war, also sending 
 forth volleys of thunder. Under similar strains the Mexican in- 
 
 15 The first two abbreviations probably refer to Graf Edmond von Hatz- 
 feld and Graf Karl von Castell ; the last two the writer has not located. Cf. 
 List of members of the "Mainzer Adelsverein" in Festaufgabe, p. 41 f. 
 
 " Cf. Festausgabe, pp. 40 and 44. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 85 
 
 habitants of Vera Cruz had, in struggling for their independence 
 six months before, lost their liberty, and the Americans had taken 
 possession of the town. Now the fall of the City of Mexico itself 
 is announced. Colonel Harris, Captain Falkland and Lieutenant 
 Moorland, three officers who had marched triumphantly with the 
 American General Scott into Mexico, had brought this message 
 to Vera Cruz at break of day. The joy of the people knew no 
 end. The stars and stripes waved over the black fortress. 
 
 The American Army is described thus (p. 8) : "Ziigellose 
 Banden von Volontairs, die erst kurzlich mit TransportschifTen 
 von den Vereinigten Staaten hierher befordert waren, schwarm- 
 ten betrunken, mit Revolvern und langen Jagdmessern im Giirtel, 
 durch die Strassen, zogen von einem Trinkhause zum andern und 
 machten in ihrer nachlassigen, zerlumpten Kleidung, ihren zer- 
 rissenen, iiber die Hosen gezogenen Stiefeln und zerfetzten breit- 
 randigen Huten mehr den Eindruck einer Rauberbande, als den 
 der Armee eines hochcivilisirten Staates wie Nord-Amerika." 
 
 At a banquet held by American soldiers a health is drunk to 
 a brave Mexican officer, the First Lieutenant of Marines, Sebas 
 tian Holzinger, a German. (Strubberg always appears well in 
 touch with the activity of the Germans then in North America. 
 The author delights to introduce Germans into his works, and 
 usually portrays them in an attractive manner.) Holzinger had 
 during the bombardment of Vera Cruz heroically defended Fort 
 Santa Barbara against the Americans, and when the flag pole 
 was broken by an American ball, had, amid a torrent of bullets, 
 held up the flag. Through his bravery he had won the esteem of 
 the Americans and been given his freedom on condition that he 
 would no longer serve in the Mexican Army. 
 
 We are led into the country palace of Santa Anna, the Na 
 poleon of the South, as he is called. A vivid picture of the 
 Spanish guerillas is drawn. Gambling, horsethieving and love- 
 making between American soldiers and Spanish beauties give 
 the scenes a dash of color. 
 
 The second novelette, Der Sturm von San Antonio, is better 
 proportioned and contains more unity. The author first gives a 
 brief historical sketch of Texas, "das Nordamerikanische Ita- 
 
86 Fried-rich Arniand Strubberg 
 
 lien," since the days of Ferdinand Cortez up to 1825, when the 
 great migrations to Texas began. Strubberg writes (p. 121): 
 "Die Bevolkerung von Texas hatte bisher kaum dreitausend See- 
 len betragen ; doch nun stromten von Norden und von Osten her 
 Einwanderer in Menge herein, und das Land war in kurzer Zeit 
 der Freihafen ftir alle diejenigen, die von dem Gesetze der be- 
 nachbarten Vereinigten Staaten fliehen mussten. Taugenichtse, 
 Schwindler, Diebe, Rauber und Morder suchten hier eine sichere 
 Zufluchtsstatte, und Sklaveneigner, die von ihren Glaubigern be- 
 drangt waren, flohen mit Hunderten von Negern nach diesem 
 Asyl." 
 
 The history of Texas is then traced through the uprisings in 
 1835, and its final declaration of independence from Mexico as 
 a republic in 1836. It is about this time that the action of the 
 novel takes place. Sealsfield, we remember, had operated in 
 about the same period in his Cajiitenbuch. Unlike that of most 
 of the earlier works the milieu of this novelette lies beyond the 
 author s own personal experience. It is perhaps for this reason, 
 too, that we miss his own familiar figure in the work. Strub- 
 berg s intimate acquaintance with the territory aids him in strik 
 ing the proper atmosphere, even if the action takes place several 
 years before his own activities in that region. The crude and 
 vagabondish character of the population in these early days in 
 Texas is happily depicted, and in strong contrast to the beautiful 
 scenic background. In stronger contrast still is the pretty romance 
 between young Gordon and the Spanish maid Beatrice de Al 
 monte. Gordon is an idealist and stands up for the Indian whom 
 he thinks shamefully and unjustly treated. . . . "Denke," he 
 says (p. 265), "an das unsagliche Unglikk, welches die Weissen 
 unter diese Menschen geschleudert haben. Sie nahmen ihnen 
 nicht allein ihr Eigenthum, trieben sie von ihrer Heimath weiter 
 und weiter dem oden Gestein der Anden zu, sie jagten sie wie 
 die wilden Thiere, sie erschlugen ganze Stamme; sie brachten 
 ihnen zerstorende Krankheiten, sie gaben ihnen Branntwein und 
 brachen alle Vertrage, alle Versprechungen, die sie ihnen gegeben 
 hatten." In the latter half of the work we are taken farther to 
 the West among the Comanche Indians. Chief of the Comanches 
 
Friedrich Arm and Strubberg 87 
 
 is Mopotuska. His two sons are Santa Anna 17 and Sanacho. 
 The love of Sanacho for Ora, the daughter of the hostile Chirica- 
 gui tribe is for loftiness both of language and conception, and 
 idyllic beauty one of Strubberg s most charming bits. The fol 
 lowing passage is almost Hebraic in character (p. 249) : "Die 
 Tochter der Chiricaguies ist tapfer; sie hat bei Tage die bren- 
 nende Wtiste durchwandert, Speise und Trank fur den Kranken 
 Sanacho geholt und Nachts fur sein Leben gewacht; sie hat die 
 Zahne des Jaguars gebrochen und seine Krallen abgestumpf t ; sie 
 hat den Sturm bekampft und den Comanche zu den Schatten der 
 Magnolien gefiihrt ; sie hat ihm sein Pferd wiedergegeben und ihm 
 einen Zaum fur dasselbe gemacht, sie ist Sanacho s Weib, und 
 die Frauen der Comanches werden ihr Wigwam mit den schon- 
 sten Hauten schmikken, ihre Haare mit Barenol salben und ihr 
 Lager mit Blumen bestreuen." 
 
 Strubberg has very plainly idealized the Indian in this 
 novelette, perhaps to bring the injustice of the whites toward the 
 Indians into stronger contrast. The author is very evidently in 
 sympathy with the red man s cause. The ignoble actions of the 
 whites, their faithlessness in upholding the peace contract with 
 the Indians, the terrible vengeance which the latter reek upon 
 them, to which Gordon and Beatrice fall innocent victims, form 
 the machinery of the work. 
 
 Scenen aus den Kdmpfen der Mexicaner und Nordamerika- 
 ner was never republished. 
 
 1860. Ralph Norwood. Von Armand. Hannover. Carl Riimp- 
 
 ler. 5 Vols. 
 
 The work is dedicated as follows : "Dem Freiherrn J. W. 
 Spiegel zum Desenberg, Domherrn zu Halberstadt, Hochwiir- 
 den, Hochwohlgeboren." 
 
 From the Preface we learn that Strubberg lived with the 
 above gentleman in the summer of 1859, in order, as he says, 
 
 "This Indian was named after the Mexican General. Strubberg is here 
 dealing with an historical Indian character. Mopotuska appears to be a 
 perversion of Mopechucope (old owl). Cf. Festausgabe, p. 98. 
 
88 Fried rich Armand Strnbberg 
 
 "fur manche herbe Stunde meines langjahrigen ernsten Wander- 
 lebens Ersatz zu finden." 
 
 Perhaps none of Strubberg s works contains a more varied 
 or greater number of scenes from American culture of the early 
 decades of the nineteenth century than Ralph Norwood. Its ex 
 treme length, quite unmotivated, and the multitude of crimes and 
 horrors scattered over its pages, prevent it from occupying a very 
 high place as a literary work. The author for once steps out of 
 the bounds of his own personal experience. The story begins a 
 few years after the treaty between the United States and Spain 
 (February, 1821), in which the latter resigned her interests in 
 Florida. In 1817 General Jackson had entered Florida and cre 
 ated havoc among the Seminole and Creek Indians. The scene 
 opens on the northern border of Florida. The chief character is 
 Ralph Norwood, the son of Tom Norwood and a Seminole 
 woman. It is the life and crimes of Ralph Norwood which form 
 the material for Strubberg s novel. The history of the struggles 
 of the Seminoles in Florida and the final removal of the small 
 remaining number by the Government to the Far West serves as 
 the ethnographic background. No attempt is made to characterize 
 the Indian by peculiarities of language. The following speech, 
 delivered by Tallihadjo, the chief of the hunted Seminoles, is an 
 example of the author s usual Indian speech (Vol. I, p. 168) : 
 "Du bist der Leopard, der die Antilope gegen die hungrige 
 Schaar seiner Brikler in Schutz nimmt, deine Freundschaft ist 
 seltener, als der weissgeborene Bufrel, und die Dankbarkeit der 
 Seminolen wird ewig dauern, wie die Wogen des grossen Was- 
 sers, welche die Kiiste Floridas bespiilen. Der Zorn des grossen 
 Geistes liegt schwer auf unserm Volke, und das starke Herz Talli- 
 hadjo s hat schon viel um dasselbe gelitten. Er wollte ihm auch 
 sein Land opfern und es den Weissen iiberlassen, darum zog er 
 mit seinem Stamme davon, ohne dass seine Fahrte sagte wohin." 
 
 The marauding expeditions of the pirate vessel the "Sturm- 
 vogel" along the Atlantic coast occupy a prominent part in the 
 work. A German sailor is on the pirate vessel. The author never 
 neglects to introduce Germans into his works. 
 
Friedrich Annand Strubberg 89 
 
 In the second volume Lafayette s final visit to America and 
 the great ovations given him in various American cities are 
 described. 
 
 The story now shifts to Florida, then again to Baltimore and 
 along the sea coast ; the reader is even given an excursion up the 
 Hudson to Trenton Falls, as well as Niagara. 
 
 The terrible atrocities against the Indians, partly brought on 
 through Ralph Norwood, who acts as a government spy, reflect 
 no credit on the whites. The author s sympathies point strongly 
 toward the Indians. At the end of the fourth volume, the last 
 decisive battle of the Seminole war is fought. The few remain 
 ing Seminoles are taken by the government to the western part of 
 the State of Arkansas. The fifth volume opens there sixteen 
 years later. The author is again on the territory he knows so 
 well. He promptly introduces himself, his white stallion and his 
 old dog, who here bears the name of Guard. He introduces himself 
 as follows : "Farland, ein Deutscher von Geburt, war der erste 
 Ansiedler in dieser Gegend gewesen, zu jener Zeit als dieselbe sich 
 noch weit und breit in dem Besitz der Indianer befand. Er war 
 Arzt, hatte aber seine wissenschaftlichen medizinischen Kennt- 
 nisse seit seinem hiesigen Aufenthalt nie anders benutzt, als um 
 unentgeltlich seinen, sich taglich mit jedem Jahr betrachtlicher 
 mehrenden weissen Nachbarn und auch den ihm befreundeten In- 
 dianern beizustehen, wenn sie seiner Hiilfe bedurften. Er war 
 ein Mann im kraftigsten Alter, von ungewohnlicher geistiger und 
 korperlicher Ausdauer, der mit vielen schweren Schicksalen ge- 
 kampft, herbe Leiden getragen und sich dennoch Antheil an den 
 Freuden des Lebens und Theilnahme fur das Wohl und Wehe 
 seiner Mitmenschen erhalten hatte." 
 
 The last volume shows us the Seminoles in their Western 
 home. Though so near the natural conclusion of the novel, a 
 violent affair of the heart between Farland and Berenice, daugh 
 ter of Ralph Norwood, now comes into the foreground. Berenice 
 dies. The work ends with Tallihadjo s terrible revenge on Ralph 
 Norwood for his traitorous deeds against the Indians, his own 
 mother s kin, while still in Florida. Ralph Norwood and the 
 pirate captain of the "Sturmvogel" are both burned at the stake. 
 
90 Fricdrich Armand St rubber g 
 
 1862. Sklaverei in Amcrika odcr Schwarzcs Blut. Von Armand. 
 Hannover. Carl Riimpler. 3 Bde. 
 
 Under this title are included the three following novels : Die 
 Quadrone, Die Mullatin, and Die Negerin. They were written at 
 a time when the agitations of slavery in America had reached 
 their climax in the Civil War. 
 
 Strubberg, though we infer from his works that he himself 
 owned slaves, manifests an antipathy to slavery as an institution. 
 He frequently introduces slaves into his works, but usually por 
 trays them in such a way as to arouse the sympathy of the reader. 
 This is the only one of Strubberg s works, however, devoted en 
 tirely to the negro. It would be going too far to credit Sklaverei 
 in Amerika with direct anti-slavery tendencies. The author aims 
 less at giving a wide cultural panorama of slavery in its minutest 
 details than an interesting literary product. Sklaverei in Amerika 
 is in a sense an epic trilogy on the black man. The beauty of the 
 black man s life in his natural surroundings in Africa, his re 
 moval to America and entrance into bondage, the loves, sorrows, 
 and tragedies of his descendants in slavery ; this is the machinery 
 with which Strubberg operates. 
 
 The plots of these three novels are more carefully con 
 structed, better motivated and more finely proportioned, being less 
 hampered by the usual mass of episodes. As a cultural document 
 of the period of slavery in America it has less value ; as a purely 
 literary achievement, however, it takes the first place among the 
 author s many works. The work is dedicated to His Majesty, 
 Wilhelm I, King of Prussia. 
 
 The first novel, Die Quadrone, takes up 106 pages. Strub 
 berg was very partial to the beautiful quadroons of the South and 
 excelled especially in the description of those who had enjoyed 
 exceptional advantages. 18 The heroine is Leonta, 19 the daughter 
 of the southern planter Crawford, and a mulatto woman. The 
 
 18 Cf. Description of quadroon ball in Bis in die Wildniss, p. 9 f. 4. Bd. 
 
 " Note variations on the name of the river Leona. Cf. Leonide, the Indian 
 Maid in Aus Armand s Frontierleben; also Neone, Farland s quadroon slave 
 in Ralph Norwood. 
 
Frledrich Armand Strubberg 91 
 
 planter, pressed for money, sells his own beautiful daughter into 
 slavery. Descriptions of a southern slave market, methods of 
 buying and selling human ware, the sale of Leonta and her con 
 sequent life form the material for this novel. 
 
 A fuller account of this work follows later in the considera 
 tion of its dramatized form. 
 
 Die Mulattin, the second novel, is somewhat longer, occupy 
 ing 33 1 pages. 
 
 Rosiana, like Leonta, also has a white father, a clergyman. 
 Her mother is a negress. In this work at least, the author shows 
 himself able to motivate a real conflict. Rosiana, possessed of 
 great physical beauty, and having enjoyed excellent mental and 
 moral training at the hands of her reverend father, is in every 
 respect fitted to move on the same social plane as do the fairer 
 daughters of the old city of Richmond. Though endowed men 
 tally, and physically, with great beauty, Rosiana is an outcast. It 
 is the clash of white against black. The author now cleverly in 
 troduces two Germans, Franval 20 (who is none other other than 
 Strubberg himself), and Fehrmann, thus providing a situation in 
 which white foreigners, totally unprejudiced against the blacks, 
 can without injuring the Southerner, sit in judgment on the slave 
 question. Lincoln, a prominent young advocate, an anti-aboli 
 tionist, remarks (Vol. I, p. 122) : "Audi kann man diesen Farbi- 
 gen selbst selten trauen, das Negerblut, das in ihren Adern fliesst, 
 macht sie hinterlistig und blutdurstig, und wir Amerikaner haben 
 nicht ganz ohne Grund ein solches unbeugsames Vorurtheil gegen 
 sie. 
 
 "Du republikanischer Sclavereimann Ihr Amerikaner saugt 
 die Verachtung gegen die schwarzen Menschenracen mit der 
 Muttermilch ein. Komm mit zu meinen drei dunkeln Engeln und 
 
 20 "Franval war ein Deutscher, der vor wenigen Jahren in New York ein 
 bedeutendes iiberseeisches Geschaft gegriindet hatte und sich augenblicklich 
 hier befand, um zwei Schiffe nach Europa zu beladen." (Vol. I, p. 119.) 
 
 Note the various names Strubberg assumes when he himself appears. 
 "Armand" is most frequently employed. In "Farnwald" in An der Indianer- 
 Grenze, "Farland" in Ralph Norwood, and "Franval" in the above novel, the 
 similarity of the vowels and consonants is very striking. This similarity was 
 no doubt resorted to in order to make the identification of the character with 
 the author himself more easily perceptible. 
 
92 Fricdrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 lass mich sehen, ob Du gleichgiiltig gegen ihre Reize bleibst und 
 ob Du ihnen gegeniiber noch behaupten kannst, dass sie den 
 Thieren naher standen, als die zerbrechlichen geistlosen weissen 
 Damen," sagte Fehrmann. . . . 
 
 "Schon, oder geistreich, mir gilt es gleich, aber mich kann 
 ein Weib nicht reizen, von dem ich weiss, dass ihre Vorfahren 
 Neger waren. Der Gedanke daran macht sie mir schon zuwider," 
 entgegnete Lincoln. 
 
 "Du bist ein unverbesserlicher Nordamerikaner und ich 
 wiinsche weiter nichts, als dass du dich doch einmal in eine Far- 
 bige verlieben mochtest, damit du zu ihren Fiissen dein Unrecht 
 bekennen miisstest," . . . sagte Fehrmann." 
 
 Between the first and second half of this work four years 
 have elapsed. 21 Fehrmann had left Richmond and gone to New 
 Orleans, where he was thrown from his horse and died. Franval 
 had been overtaken by misfortune and lost his bride. He had 
 fled from the world and sought solace on the frontier of the West, 
 where he had settled with several other unfortunates. Lincoln had 
 fallen a victim to Rosiana s charms, staked his promising career, 
 forsaken his friends, and fled with Rosiana to the extreme 
 West, where he settled in a little town near the borders of Mex 
 ico, several hundred miles south of Franval s settlement. Here 
 Lincoln lived happily with Rosiana and their children. 
 
 Strubberg is now again in his own frontier atmosphere. He 
 stops to describe himself the familiar, weather-beaten rider in 
 leathern garments and his white stallion. Franval and Lincoln 
 are again brought together. Lincoln s happiness is soon to be 
 interrupted. Rosiana s father had neglected to officially declare 
 the freedom of his daughter, and upon his death his heirs claim 
 her as saleable property. Lincoln s home is attacked ; he defends 
 himself and family; Rosiana manages to escape, and Lincoln is 
 imprisoned, but escapes by bribery and joins his family. Fran- 
 
 11 The time of action of the first half of the novel, though not designated 
 by definite textual data, is probably the latter thirties, when S. was shipping 
 agent in New York and elsewhere, if we may accept these lines (Vol. I, p. 
 251) : "Franval hatte sich durch eigne Thatigkeit und Umsicht in New York 
 ein grossartiges iiberseeisches Geschaft gegriindet, auch ihm lachte in einer 
 reizenden siissen Braut das Glikk seiner Zukunft entgegen. . . ." 
 
Fried-rich Annand Strubberg 93 
 
 val conducts them to his settlement on the Leona. 22 The Lin- 
 coins remain with Franval for some time, but discovering they 
 are still on slave territory, they migrate to Boston, where he and 
 his mulatto wife need suffer no social ignominy. 
 
 Die Negerin is the longest of the three novels comprised in 
 Ski aver ei in Amerika. It occupies the last 95 pages of the second 
 volume and the entire third volume of 331 pages. 
 
 Though not any of these three novels published under Skla- 
 verei in Amerika are related to each other, a more natural order 
 would have been: i. Die Negerin; 2. Die Mulattin; 3. Die Qua- 
 drone. 
 
 In Die Negerin the author has opened the scene of action 
 among the negro tribes of Africa, where half of the story is en 
 acted. In no other work is the author s imaginative and inventive 
 ability more clearly shown. He is here operating with material 
 totally foreign to him. This may account to a degree for the pre 
 ponderance of the romantic spirit. The negro prince Buardo, son 
 of the King of the Annagus, and Semona, a negress of another 
 tribe, are two of Strubberg s most poetic creations. Buardo, while 
 with his warriors on an elephant hunt, meets the slave-dealer 
 Sarfzan, who has for years brought slaves from the eastern to 
 the western part of Africa. His destination is the coastland of 
 the King of Dahomey, whom he has long furnished with wives. 
 Sarfzan, on hearing that Buardo is prince of the Annagus, de 
 sires to sell him some of his human wares. Buardo, however, 
 had enjoyed instruction in the Christian Mission in Cape Coast, 
 and Sarfzan s dark beauties have little effect on him, until Sem 
 ona, the gem of the collection, is brought before him, "wie eine 
 aus Ebenholz geschnittene Venus," writes Strubberg with his 
 marvelous visualizing power (Vol. II, p. 197 f.), "stand sie vor 
 dem erstarrten Blicke Buardo s, der mit einem Laut der tiber- 
 raschung auffuhr und seine Hande gegen sie ausstreckte." 
 
 "Semona war so schwarz, dass alle die ubrigen Sclavinnen 
 bleich gegen sie erschienen. Sie war eine hohe, edle Gestalt, ihr 
 
 22 Strubberg again describes the familiar palisaded fort and its interior 
 furnishings. He mentions some valuable paintings on the wall (Vol. II, p. 
 168). Cf. Letters in the Appendix. 
 
94 Fried-rich Armand Strnbberg 
 
 Kopf war klein, ihr Nacken schlank und rund, und ihr voller Bu- 
 sen wie aus schwarzem Marmor gehauen. Um ihre breiten Hiif- 
 ten lag ein scharlachrother seidener Shawl gebunden, nnd mit gol- 
 denen Schniiren waren die Sandalen unter ihren kleinen Fiissen 
 um ihre zierlichen Enkel befestigt. Ihr regelmassig schones Ge- 
 sicht trug die Form der edelsten weissen Menschenrace Asiens, 
 und eine Cirkassierin wiirde sie um ihr Profil beneidet haben. 
 Das Weiss ihrer grossen tiefdunkeln Augen war rein, wie die 
 Perle an Persiens Gestaden und die Reihen ihrer wunderbar schon 
 geformten Zahne glanzten wie der Schnee auf den Gebirgen In- 
 diens: Ihre reizend geschnittenen iippig vollen Lippen gluhten, 
 wie die Granatbluthe in einer schwarzen Marmorschale und in 
 ihrem melancholischen seelenvollen Antilopenblick stand ihr 
 Schicksal geschrieben. Ihr glanzend schwarzes Haar rollte sich 
 dicht an ihrem Kopf in unzahlige kleine zierliche Lockchen zu- 
 sammen und auf ihrer zarten Haut lag ein weicher Sammet- 
 hauch." 
 
 Buardo loves Semona and buys her from Sarfzan for an 
 enormous amount of ivory and gold dust. The gentle love of 
 these two negroes is depicted with a beauty and delicacy that puts 
 to shame that of their white brethren. Of course Strubberg has 
 idealized beyond recognition. He is again embodying Rous- 
 seauian ideas. Strubberg has spared no effort to give his story 
 color by the introduction of African scenery, and plants and ani 
 mals native to Africa. The fierce wars between savage negro 
 tribes are vividly described. At times, however, the reader feels 
 that the author has transferred Indian customs to the negro. 
 
 The love of Buardo and Semona, the recapture of Semona, 
 together with Buardo by Sarfzan, their final disposal to a slave 
 dealer who transports them to a slave-ship bound for America, 
 form the contents of the first half of the novel. The author does 
 not omit giving his readers an account of life on the slave ship, 
 and the manner of plying between the African and American 
 coasts under difficulties of the law. The slave-ship anchors in 
 one of the little bays along the coast of North Carolina. 
 
 In America Buardo and Semona are sold to the same 
 planter. They live happily and are permitted to unite in marriage. 
 
Friedrich Arm and Strubberg 95 
 
 The conditions of slavery are portrayed unreservedly by the au 
 thor. The good fortune of the two slaves continues but for a 
 little while, when conditions cause their owner to sell them apart. 
 Their unhappy fate as slaves in America is told with a realism 
 strongly in contrast with their romantic life in their tropical 
 homes in Africa. 
 
 The author, in poetic justice, finally after many difficulties 
 brings Buardo and Semona together on a whaling ship. While 
 on an expedition south of Cape Horn, they manage one dark 
 night to lower one of the small boats and effect their escape to a 
 little island. Here amid beautiful surroundings Buardo and 
 Semona live out the rest of their days in happiness. Through 
 whale ships which occasionally stopped at the island they had re 
 ceived fowls and garden seeds, and wanted none of the necessi 
 ties of life. 
 
 "Von jetzt an," Strubberg closes, "besuchten alle Wallfisch- 
 fahrer die Buardo-Insel, wie man sie nannte, und besorgten sich 
 dort mit Gemiisen, mit Obst, Federvieh und frischem Fleisch, 
 und noch auf den heutigen Tag ist die zahlreiche Familie Buar- 
 do s und Semona s im alleinigen Besitze der Insel und jeder Kapi- 
 tan sieht mit Freuden und mit einem Trostgefuhl nach der scho- 
 nen kleinen Welt hin, an deren Ufer so mancher Seefahrer Hiilfe 
 und Rettung gefunden hat." 
 
 If Strubberg had any purpose beyond the writing of a fasci 
 nating novel it was rather that of embodying the Rousseauian 
 nature theories than any anti-slavery purpose. The virtues of 
 man in his simple state are very strikingly set forth in Buardo 
 and Semona. That Rousseau s works were in the author s mind 
 appears evident from a passage in which a prospective slave- 
 buyer, being told of Semona s beauty and her present intense 
 mourning for the lost Buardo, says (Vol. Ill, p. 229) : "Das 
 finde ich ja reizend, es zeigt von Gefiihl ; bin wirklich neugierig, 
 eine schwarze Heloise zu sehen." 
 
 The dwelling of the two in happiness on the little tropical 
 island also points to Bernardin St. Pierre s Paul et Virginie, 
 one of the first literary pieces to reflect Rousseau. 
 
 Sklaverei in Amerika was never republished. One of its 
 novels Die Mulattin was, however, published separately in 1897. 
 
96 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 1863. Carl Scharnhorst. Abentener eines deutschen Knaben in 
 Amerika. Von Armand. Mit sechs Bildern in Farbendruck, 
 nach Zeiclmungen von August Hengst. Hannover. Carl 
 Riimpler. i Bd. 
 
 In a manner similar to that pursued in Alte und Neue Hei- 
 math, Strubberg again introduces us to a German family, the 
 Turners, on their comfortable little farm in the beautiful valley 
 of the Werra. Through a cousin, who possesses a farm along the 
 Chesapeake Bay in America, they are persuaded to migrate to 
 America. The family consists of Herr and Frau Turner, one 
 daughter, two sons, and a related orphan, Carl Scharnhorst, 
 whom the Turners had received into their family as one of their 
 own. We follow the Turners over the Atlantic to Baltimore. 23 
 Their cousin having in the meanwhile died, they find themselves 
 alone and friendless in America. Through a bank which has de 
 faulted in Baltimore they lose much of their money. In despair 
 they conclude to find a home in the Far West. On the voyage to 
 America the Turners had become acquainted with one of the crew, 
 the negro Daniel. The Turners, being Germans, did not enter 
 tain the same prejudice against negroes, and were especially kind 
 and friendly to Dan. The negro decides to serve and accompany 
 them to the West. The author, in bringing Dan into the German 
 family as a servant, takes the opportunity of showing the Ameri 
 can attitude against the negro over against a foreigner s who en 
 tertains no such prejudices. 
 
 We follow the Turner family by train to Cincinnati, and 
 thence by water to Memphis, where they start overland with two 
 wagons drawn by horses and oxen. They reach the Indian terri 
 tory west of Arkansas and stop at Fort Towsen, where a post of 
 dragoons was stationed in order to protect the white settler 
 against the Indians. They next reach the border town of Frank 
 lin, cross the Red River, and camp on the northern border of 
 
 23 Strubberg is partial to Baltimore and appears to be especially acquainted 
 there. He frequently mentions it in his works. He lets many of his German 
 
 characters land there. 
 
Friedrich Arniand Strubberg 97 
 
 Texas. After journeying a week longer they arrive at Preston, 
 the last border settlement on the Red River. On the Choctaw 
 Creek they find the "Warwick" clearing. They are persuaded to 
 settle five miles away on Bear Creek. 
 
 The lad Carl Scharnhorst develops wonderful abilities as a 
 huntsman, and it is his adventures that provide most of the ma 
 terial for this book. Dan, the negro, had earlier been a slave of 
 the Indians, and through him Carl became thoroughly acquainted 
 with Indian manners and customs. Dan had been called the 
 "Spiirer" by the Indians. 
 
 Strubberg now again introduces the whole machinery of 
 Western life into this work. The author draws the distinction 
 between the various Indian tribes, describes in a thrilling man 
 ner their fights with each other, and their attacks on the whites, 
 as well as the friendly intercourse of the Delawares with the set 
 tlers. We learn to know minutely various animals of the forest 
 and the plain. The beauties of the prairie are not omitted. The 
 author again introduces one of his splendid descriptions of a 
 prairie fire, with the terrified animals, fleeing before it. We re-read 
 as it were the author s own Amer. Jagd- und Reise-Abenteuer, 
 only presented in a shorter form, and with an attempt to connect 
 the great number of episodes with the threads of a story. 
 
 The daring boy, Carl Scharnhorst, is a sort of youthful 
 Leatherstocking. It is the youth s thrilling adventures and the 
 wealth of minute descriptions of life on the frontier of Western 
 America that have helped to make this the most popular of all of 
 Strubberg s works. It was read by old and young, but it has 
 always possessed a peculiar charm for the young, and even today 
 occupies a prominent place among the juvenile books in German 
 literature. 24 
 
 This work has passed through twelve editions. 
 
 24 Abel and Muller, the publishers of the twelfth edition, place it in the 
 class of works for boys of 10-14 years of age along with Alexis Die Hosen 
 des Herrn von Bredow, Cooper s Der Spion, W. Scott s Ivanhoe, Quentin Dur- 
 ward, Der Talisman, Kenilworth, etc. See book list at end of work in 
 twelfth edition, 
 
98 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 1864. Der Sprung vom Niagarafalle. Von Armand. Hanno- 
 nover. Schmorl und von Seefeld. 4 Bde. 
 
 Of this work the first volume and a half of the second takes 
 place in Scotland and Ireland, and is taken up with a rather con 
 ventional romance between Edward Corblair, son of the forester 
 of Sir Oskar Aringthur in Ireland and Agnes Walcott, the daugh 
 ter of a wealthy manufacturer. Edward Corblair s poverty and 
 position make him an impossible suitor in the eyes of Mr. Wal 
 cott. There is little in this part of the work that is characteristic 
 of Strubberg unless it is his accounts of the hunt and the adven 
 tures on sea off the coast of Ireland. One day a tale entitled Die 
 Fallen jag er im Westen von Amerika, happens to reach the hands 
 of Edward Corblair. It is the account of a young Englishman 
 who, in a similar position, had wandered to America and accom 
 panied several beaver trappers to the Far West. The hunt, the 
 dangers, the struggles with the Indians, and especially the wealth 
 which the trappers amassed from their beaver hides had much 
 attraction for Edward, and he resolves to emigrate to America to 
 win a home there for Agnes and himself. ". . . hatte Amerika 
 nicht schon manches kranke Herz aufgenommen und geheilt, 
 schon manche Schmerzensthrane getrocknet und das Auge mit 
 Freudenthranen gefiillt berechtigten Edward s Fahigkeiten, 
 Kenntnisse und Krafte ihn nicht zu der Hoffnung, dort fur sich 
 und fur Agnes in kurzer Zeit eine sorgenfreie Stellung zu er- 
 kampfen?" (Vol. II, p. 121.) 
 
 Edward sails to America. The captain of the vessel is a 
 German. Edward no sooner lands in New York than the epithet 
 "damned foreigner" greets his ears. He is also soon given an 
 opportunity to see the hatred of the whites against the blacks. 
 "Ich glaubte hier in New York sei die Sclaverei abgeschafft ?" 
 fragte Edward. . . . "Das heisst, hier gehort der Schwarze nicht 
 wie im Siiden einem Herrn als Eigenthum an, hier ist er der ver- 
 achtete Sclave Jedermanns. Im Siiden hat der Neger einen 
 Schutz, eine Sicherstellung in seinem Herrn, wer dem Sclaven zu 
 nahe kommt, tritt auch dessen Eigenthiimer in den Weg; hier 
 findet der Neger nirgends Schutz, hier wird er von Jedem miss- 
 handelt," entgegenete der Capitan. . . . (Vol. II, p. 172.) 
 
Friedrich Arm and Strubberg 99 
 
 In the latter half of the second volume New York life, and 
 especially the darker side of it, is portrayed. The author, as may 
 be expected, now himself appears on the scene in a subsidiary 
 role under the name of Armand. He is introduced as a very 
 young man, who has just returned from the West Indies. Strub 
 berg is probably thinking here of his first trip to America, about 
 1827. Armand and Edward Corblair, who has assumed the name 
 Sam Patch, meet and become friends. 
 
 In the third volume Strubberg introduces the rather start 
 ling episode of a buffalo hunt in the city of New York. Sturton, 
 a frontiersman, who reminds us a little of Cooper s Leather- 
 stocking, has conceived the idea of bringing a party of Sioux In 
 dians and a small herd of buffalo to the East and there presenting 
 the public with sham buffalo hunts. The buffalo chase and its 
 disastrous result in the city of New York is described. Armand 
 arranges to travel West with Sturton and his Indians on their 
 return. Edward decides to join. From New York the Indians 
 are taken to Washington, where they are presented to the Presi 
 dent, "der grosse Vater." In the same city Armand and Edward 
 join Sturton and his Sioux on their return to the West. In this 
 way, though first in the third volume, we are again led to the ter 
 ritory of the Indians. With the introduction of Western scenery 
 and Indians, material with which the author is best acquainted, 
 the narrative at once improves in quality and literary value. 
 
 Nothing but misfortune awaits Edward Corblair in the West. 
 On the way thither the party is attacked by a band of Pahnee In 
 dians. In the attack Edward is separated from the others of the 
 party, but, after a time of solitary wandering, he is picked up by 
 a band of lowas. Through the Indian Utho he finally reaches a 
 village of the Chippewas, only a journey of a few days from 
 Lake Erie. Utho accompanies him to the head of the falls of 
 the Niagara. It was here that Utho executed grim revenge on 
 his faithless bride Zateka and her abductor, the white trader Toro- 
 ney. 25 The character of the mighty Niagara Falls, which have 
 
 25 See for the same episode Strubberg s poem Die Rache in the poems 
 attached to the first edition of In Mexico. 
 
ioo Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 frequently found interpreters in Germany, is throughout these 
 pages well portrayed in the author s virile style. 
 
 Edward dejected in spirit takes lodging in the hotel by the 
 falls. A great fete is about to be held. Illuminations are to take 
 place, and a full-rigged schooner to be sent over the falls. Thou 
 sands of guests are expected to witness the spectacle. Edward 
 had walked to the foot of the falls, examined them carefully and 
 concluded it was not an impossibility for a good swimmer to 
 venture a leap from the head of the falls into the seething river 
 below. He had failed in his endeavors to acquire wealth by hunt 
 ing the beaver. For money he will venture to leap from the head 
 of the falls into the river below. His proposal is accepted by the 
 landlord, who assures him of at least six thousand dollars. The 
 event is to take place during the fete. The landlord at once be 
 gins to advertise in true American fashion. It is from this sensa 
 tional leap that the work takes its name. Edward, flushed with 
 success, allows himself to be persuaded to do a similar feat over 
 the Trenton Falls near the city of Utica. In the meanwhile Ag 
 nes, left an orphan by the death of her father, who committed 
 suicide on account of financial ruin, comes to America to join 
 Edward. Hearing of the intended leap she hastens to Trenton 
 Falls. The crowds are already gathered, the moment has come, 
 Edward steps out upon the bridge prepared for him and leaps 
 just as Agnes calling his name presses through the crowd to 
 detain him. Edward disappears in the foaming mass below and 
 is never seen again. Thus the hero whom we have followed 
 through four volumes is whimsically disposed of. Agnes marries 
 the faithful friend Aringthur, thus drawing this rambling work 
 to an unsatisfactory conclusion. 
 
 The episodes with which this novel is decked out are interest 
 ing enough, though they are now and then somewhat exaggerated 
 and out of taste. So for instance in Vol. Ill, p. 104, Strubberg 
 describes a thrilling street scene in New York, where creditors 
 are actively engaged in tearing down the building of a bank which 
 has failed ! 
 
 In Vol. IV, p. 93, a camp-meeting scene, a favorite subject, 
 is again introduced. 
 
Friedrich Annand Sf rubber g 101 
 
 In Vol. IV, p. 153, an Englishman is tarred and feathered 
 for daring to strut along the streets of New York in the much 
 hated English military uniform. 
 
 The author s unhappy method of carrying forward his "Ne- 
 beneinander" threads in the novel is nowhere better illustrated 
 than in Vol. IV, p. 113. Here in one paragraph we find Agnes 
 attending a Methodist camp-meeting in the vicinity of New York 
 City. In the very next paragraph we find ourselves without a 
 word of warning with Edward as a beaver hunter on the frontier. 
 
 Der Sprung vom Niagarafallc went through only one edi 
 tion. 
 
 Before its publication in book form, it had appeared in the 
 Kolnische Zeitung in 1863. 
 
 1865. I H Mexico. Von Armand. Leipzig. Julius Werner. 
 
 4Bde. 
 
 This of all Strubberg s works, with the possible exception of 
 In Sud-Carolina is the richest in purely historical material. The 
 author, we remember, had drawn upon the incidents of the Mexican 
 War in his Scenen aits den Kdmpfen der Mexicaner und Nordame- 
 rikaner and also episodically in Alte und neue Heimath. In Mex 
 ico is, however, the only pretentious work devoted entirely to this 
 epoch of American history. Though Strubberg was a contem 
 porary of the war and in all probability served in the same for a 
 short period, he has evidently drawn to some extent upon histori 
 cal works for his material. Ethe has called In Mexico a supple 
 ment to Sealsfield s Der Virey und die Aristokraten, oder Mexiko 
 im Jahre 1812 (1834), and Suden und Nor den (1842-1843), 
 whose time of action is 1825. 26 The time of Strubberg s work is 
 from ca. 1847 to 1849. 
 
 In this novel the separation of the plot and its background 
 is particularly noticeable. About half the work is taken up 
 with narrative dealing with the Mexican War and the Americans 
 in Mexico. The figure of Santa Anna stands out prominently. 
 
 28 Cf. Ethe: Der transatlantisch-exotische Roman, etc., in Essays und 
 Studien, p. 47 f. Berlin, 1872. 
 
102 Friedrich Armand Stmbberg 
 
 His ambitions, his diplomacies, his manoeuvres in battle are all 
 related in a most attractive way, yet all this is very meagerly con 
 nected with the story itself. This historical setting, into which 
 are introduced Generals Scott, Taylor and Worth, and many 
 other officers apparently fictitious, serves but as a background for 
 a rather bizarre romance in which the leading characters are 
 chosen from among the Spanish aristocracy. The historical back 
 ground gives the work a dignity and value rather out of har 
 mony with the gaudy story itself. Perhaps the author s greatest 
 achievement in the work lies in his gorgeous descriptions of 
 natural scenery. Strubberg s abilities are never shown to better 
 advantage than in his descriptions in which he catches up, with 
 the eye of the artist and the words of the poet, the very odor and 
 atmosphere of the forests, mountains and prairies of Western 
 America. The following description will illustrate (Vol. I, p. 14, 
 Ed. 2): 
 
 "Lange noch ehe das Grauen des Morgens sich zeigte, er- 
 gltihten plotzlich in rosigem Schein zwei Punkte am dunkeln, mit 
 Milliarden funkelnder Sterne tibersaeten sudlichen Himmel, die 
 sich wie zwei rasch wachsende Gestirne an Farbenpracht zu iiber- 
 bieten schienen. Von einem blassen rosa Hauch, der sie zuerst 
 andeutete, gingen sie in ein tiefes Carmin iiber und glanzten bald 
 darauf wie gliihend leuchtende Rubine. Es waren die eisgekron- 
 ten Haupter der beiden Vulkane Itztaccihuatl und Popocatepetl, 
 die in ihrer schwindelnden Aetherhohe jetzt schon, wo noch die 
 Welt urn sie her in tiefer nnsterer Nacht lag, von dem nahenden 
 Morgen gekiisst wurden. Heller, schillernder und feuriger wech- 
 selten ihre Farben von Minute zu Minute, bis sie bei dem Errothen 
 des ostlichen Himmels in die Schattierungen des Goldes iibergin- 
 gen, und die ganzen Riesengestalten der beiden Berge aus der 
 fliehenden Nacht hervortraten. Bald farbten sich auch die Ge- 
 birge im Westen des noch von der Nacht verhiillten Thales von 
 Tenochtillan, und ihre Kuppen erglanzten in dem ersten Lichte 
 des Morgens, wahrend die Sterne am Himmel erbleichten und 
 das Feuerlicht in der Stadt Mexiko vor der Helligkeit des Tages 
 verschwand." 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 103 
 
 The chief characters in the story are the young German 
 painter Lothar von Colmar, 27 and the Spanish Condesa Urania. 
 Their love for each other supplies the thread of romance. 
 
 In Mexico, like so many of Strubberg s novels, lacks unity. 
 The Mexican War having come to an end, we follow the German 
 Von Colmar on his way to California, whither the recent discov 
 ery of gold is leading thousands of others. The author with his 
 usual skill portrays the emigrants wandering across the prairies 
 on their way to California. In thrilling narrative he depicts the 
 horrors of the prairie fire, the hardships of traveling long 
 stretches without water, and the death of many of the caravan 
 through blood-thirsty Indians. We are also given a picture of 
 the infant city of San Francisco during the gold fever. 
 
 At the end of the fourth volume of the first edition of this 
 novel are found a number of poems which will be considered 
 separately. 
 
 A second edition of In Mexico appeared in an abridged form 
 in 1898. The poems were not added. 
 
 1866. Saat und Ernte. Roman von Armand. Leipzig. Ernst 
 Julius Gunther. 5 Bde. 
 
 The scene of action opens among slave owners in Kentucky. 
 We are introduced to the old aristocratic Williams family; also 
 to the Randolphs. The latter, who possess less slaves and soil, 
 have come from the State of New York and entertain Northern 
 democratic views as to slavery, which causes the Williams s to 
 hate them intensely. Williams has a son named Harry and Ran 
 dolph one named Albert. 
 
 It is the purpose of the author to follow the lives of these 
 two young men throughout many interesting adventures and to 
 bring them together at times, thus comparing Albert s noble life 
 with that of the scoundrel Harry Williams. Strubberg is fond of 
 contrasting the good and the evil and letting the former triumph 
 over the latter. The reader, however, must feel that this could 
 
 n In spite of the letters ar, with which the author characterized the names 
 employed for his own personality as Armand, Farnwald, Franval, and Far- 
 land, the character Lothar von Colmar cannot be identified as Strubberg s. 
 
IO4 Fricdrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 be accomplished in less than five volumes. The rambling, episodic 
 character of the work, so unduly prolonged suggests that the 
 author s interests were mercenary rather than literary. 
 
 For some time Strubberg describes the illustrious career of 
 Albert Randolph as a law student in Philadelphia, where he be 
 comes a poet and is celebrated all over America as the poet Al 
 bert. In this part of the novel the conditions of the German labor 
 ing class in Philadelphia and the great strike, which results from 
 the fact that the German laborer gives better service for less 
 money is vividly reflected. 
 
 Soon we are again transported to the familiar soil of Texas, 
 whither Albert had migrated. The author s invariable endeavors 
 to bring his characters to Texas are sometimes rather strained, 
 though he usually attempts to give a reason. Of Texas he says 
 (Vol. I, p. 71 ) : "Es gab ein Land, welches nach Allem, was man 
 bis jetzt davon wusste, zu solchen hochfliegenden Hoffnungen be- 
 rechtigte, welches bei halber Arbeit doppelte Ernten lieferte, wel 
 ches nicht mit dem Fluch verherender Krankheiten belastet war 
 und welches einen schuldbeladenen Fremden als schuldfreien 
 Burger in sich aufnahm. Dies Land war Texas. . . ." 
 
 Harry Williams deals in slaves and unlawfully conducts 
 slave ships to the coast of Africa, where he bought up negroes, 
 and returned to the coast of Brazil, not without much danger 
 from the English, who had scouting vessels out, which often 
 gave successful chase. To avoid this danger the slave ship was 
 provided with two captains, the second being called the flying 
 captain. The real captain received his rights of sailing to and 
 from Africa from the Brazilian marine. The flying captain re 
 ceived his papers from the American consul in Brazil, with per 
 mission to sail to Africa and return with cargo of palmoil, gold- 
 dust, and ivory. When the ship was held up by an English 
 scouting vessel which suspected slaves, the flying captain stepped 
 forward, showed his papers, and all was well. 
 
 In the second volume Harry is shipwrecked off the coast of 
 Brazil. The author, it has been observed, is very partial to ship 
 wrecks and introduces them at the least provocation. Harry in 
 his wanderings arrives in Mexico in 1832. The author now 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 105 
 
 brings in a mass of historical matter, which in point of time pre 
 cedes that in In Mexico. Harry enters Mexico at a time when the 
 air resounds with Vivas ! for the hero Santa Anna, who had tri 
 umphed over the president, General Bustamente, and now him 
 self attempted to mount the presidential chair. In 1833 Santa 
 Anna was elected to the presidency. 
 
 In Vol. IV we witness the attack of General Houston upon 
 Santa Anna, in which the latter is taken prisoner and made to 
 obey orders. Santa Anna is described as a proud character, of 
 courteous exterior, gallant toward the ladies, cruel in battle, but 
 cowardly when captured. In the meanwhile Texas declares itself 
 a republic. 
 
 Harry Williams is accused of forgery and Strubberg intro 
 duces one of his thrilling court-room scenes. (The author appears 
 to have had an uncommon knowledge of the law and delights in 
 describing lawsuits. ) 
 
 Once we follow the noble life of Albert Randolph, then 
 again the low career of Harry Williams. The novel illustrates 
 the "Nebeneinander" technique, though in a rather diffuse man 
 ner. One episode follows another, characters are introduced and 
 make their exits, and new ones take their place in a most kaleido 
 scopic fashion. There is no reason why the work is so long any 
 more than why it should stop at the end of the fifth volume. A 
 commercial interest either on the part of the author or publisher 
 does not seem to be quite absent. 
 
 This work appeared as Vols. 9-13 in the Album. Bibliothek 
 deutscher Originalroinane. 21. Jahrgang, 1866. 
 
 1867. Friedrichsburg, die Colonie des deutschen Furstenvereins 
 in Texas. Von Armand. Leipzig. Friedrich Fleischer. 
 2 Bde. 
 
 Friedrichsburg is together with Alte und Neue Heimath, 
 Strubberg s most important contribution to the cultural history of 
 the Germans in America. Strubberg has never received due 
 recognition for having given to the world the most faithful ac 
 count of the German colonies, Neu-Braunfels and Friedrichs 
 burg. Though these accounts are in literary form, a comparison 
 
io6 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 with later histories will show how conscientiously the author en 
 deavored to give accuracy to his work. In Friedrichsburg the 
 author has devoted himself in particular to that colony in whose 
 early history he himself played no unimportant role as Colonial- 
 director. 
 
 The novel is dedicated as follows : "Seiner Hoheit dem re- 
 gierenden Herzog von Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha Ernst II. in tiefster 
 Ehrfurcht unterthanigst gewidmet vom Verfasser." 
 
 In the preface the author states his purposes thus: "Wenn 
 ich nun in diese, treu und wahr dem Leben entnommene Erzah- 
 lung als Wiirze den Faden eines Romanes eingeflochten habe, des- 
 sen einzelne Momente jedoch gleichfalls auf wirklichen Begeben- 
 heiten beruhen, so greift derselbe in keiner Weise storend, oder 
 entstellend in das Geschichtliche des Werkes ein, sondern dient 
 vielmehr dazu, dem entworfenen Bilde noch lebendigere Farbe 
 und hellere Beleuchtung zu verleihen. 
 
 "Wie manches Band der Verwandschaft, der Freundschaft, 
 der Liebe, wurde damals nach dem fernen Wunderlande ge- 
 spannt, wie mancher heisse Wunsch zog mit den dahineilenclen 
 Freunden iiber den weiten Ocean nach dem verheissenen Para- 
 diese, und wie mancher innige Herzensgruss wandert wohl noch 
 immer aus der alten deutschen Heimath durch den ungemessenen 
 Raum nach dem wonnigen, sonnigen ewiggrimen Texas hinuber ! 
 Und darum darf ich wohl hoffen, class die nachstehenden treuen 
 Schilderungen der damaligen Zustande und Verhaltnisse der deut 
 schen Colonien in Texas, so wie des Landes, der Ureinwohner 
 desselben und deren Sitten und Gebrauchen auch jetzt noch unter 
 meinen verehrten Lesern Interesse finden werden. Der Verfas 
 ser." 
 
 The scene of action opens on a clear star-lit night in Texas. 
 Rudolph von Wildhorst, the young man around whom much of 
 the romance in the novel clusters, is riding wildly along the road 
 from the colony Neu-Braunfels toward the more recent German 
 settlement Friedrichsburg. He is pursued by Indians. Now he 
 rides down the main street, San Sabastrasse of Friedrichsburg, 
 and then down the Schubbertstrasse to a lonely house, where he 
 is greeted at early dawn by his love Ludwina Nimanski. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 107 
 
 Major Nimanski of Galizia and Obrist v. Wildhorst, a pen 
 sioned Prussian officer, the fathers of the above young couple, 
 were attracted by the alluring advertisements sent through Ger 
 many by the "Mainzer Adelsverein," and emigrated with many 
 other Germans to Texas, where the German settlements Neu- 
 Braunfels and Friedrichsburg were founded. 
 
 Colonialdirektor Schubbert 28 is soon introduced and remains 
 in a sense the dominating character throughout the novel. It will 
 have been apparent before now that Strubberg is an egoist. His 
 haughty domineering spirit is evident throughout this work. In 
 that valuable little book, Fest-Ausgabe zum funfzigj dhrigen Jubi- 
 laum der deutschen Kolonie Friedrichsburg (1896), he is char 
 acterized by the same traits. 29 A comparison of the incidents in 
 the novel with those connected with the early history of the colony 
 as recounted in the Fest-Ausgabe so many years later, will show 
 how much of what appears as fiction in the novel is really based 
 on historic facts. 
 
 The inception of the "Mainzer Adelsverein," its purpose, its 
 endeavors to acquire land in Texas, its dealings with the land 
 sharks Fischer and Miller, its activities in founding the colonies 
 Neu-Braunfels and Friedrichsburg are carefully outlined, though 
 but few historical characters are actually introduced. The suf 
 ferings of the emigrants on the coast of Texas before being 
 transported to the interior, their life in the settlement, and the 
 breaking out of disease among them, as related by Strubberg is 
 fairly well authenticated by historical works. 30 
 
 The great peace treaty with the Comanche Indians, intro 
 duced by Strubberg, is probably a reflection of the peace treaty 
 entered upon on Freiherr von Meusebach s expedition. 31 Von 
 
 28 The pseudonym which Strubberg had in reality assumed. The German 
 colonists, however, seem to have spelled the name with only one b. See 
 Fest-Ausgabe. 
 
 29 In the novel the author draws himself in a favorable light. In the 
 Fest-Ausgabe he is portrayed as a character not beyond reproach. 
 
 80 Cf. Franz Loeher : Gesch. u. Zustdnde der Deutschen in Amerika, 1847; 
 p. 348 f . ; also Frederick Law Olmsted : Wanderungen durch Texas und im 
 mexicanischen Grenzlande. Aus dem Englischen, 1857, p. 120 f. Strubberg s 
 statement that 8000 emigrants landed and several thousand died is exag 
 gerated. 
 
 w Cf. Fest-Ausgabe, p. 86. 
 
io8 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 Meusebach, by far the most important figure in the history of 
 these German settlements, is not mentioned by Strubberg. Strub 
 berg introduces in his novel Santa Anna, an Indian chief, named 
 after the great Mexican General, and Mopochocopie. 32 Kate- 
 umsi, who figures in the novel, is probably the Ketemoczy of the 
 Fest-Ausgabe. Proviantmeister Bickel, according to the Fest- 
 Ausgabe, a despicable character, is introduced as a pleasant, good- 
 natured person. The description of the Mormons in their settle 
 ment near Friedrichsburg is also based on fact. 33 The Frie- 
 drichsburg cannon, which is such a prominent object in the novel, 
 was actually one of the colony s early weapons of defense. The 
 graphic description at the beginning of the second volume of the 
 Indians gathered in Friedrichsburg to receive the presents agreed 
 upon at the time of the peace treaty is also based on fact 34 In 
 Vol. II, p. 150, occurs the festival of the laying of the corner 
 stone of the church. No doubt reference is here made to the 
 octagonal wooden church, built at the instigation of Schubbert 
 (Strubberg). 35 
 
 The work is rich in Indian material. The author does not 
 hesitate to draw Indians realistically. In Friedrichsburg, how 
 ever, some of the Indians introduced are exceedingly noble, and 
 even from excess of emotion weep ! 
 
 Though Friedrichsburg is for us of today one of the most 
 valuable of Strubberg s many works, it went through only one 
 edition. 
 
 1868. A us Armand s Frontierleben. Von Armand. Leipzig. 
 Julius Werner. 3 Bde. 
 
 As the title suggests, Strubberg has again drawn upon his 
 never-failing source : the years spent as a frontiersman on the 
 banks of the Leona. Under this title are included the novel Leo- 
 nide } which takes up two volumes and a few pages of the third, 
 and the two novelettes, Die drei Haush dlterinnen and Bin Wilder. 
 
 82 Both are mentioned in the Fest-Ausgabe, only the latter is spelled 
 Mopechucope. Cf. p. 106. 
 
 w Cf. Fest-Ausgabe, p. 108. 
 14 Cf. Fest-Ausgabe, p. 117. 
 "Cf. Ibid. p. 73. For picture of same, see p. 24. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 109 
 
 Leonide is named after its heroine. The form of the novel, 
 like most of Strubberg s, is open to criticism. Strubberg never 
 learned to skilfully weave his exposition into the body of a work. 
 He must of necessity begin with the very beginning. In this in 
 stance we are taken to the San Saba Mountains, where we learn 
 to know Alfred Davis, whom misfortune had driven to these 
 lonely parts where he had already for ten years been engaged as 
 a trapper of beaver. "Wie die Magnetnadel nach Norden zeigt, 
 so winkt in Amerika das Ungliick immer nach Westen" (p. 4). 
 Davis had won the affections of Kionata, the daughter of the 
 chief of the Caddoes, who had secretly left her tribe to 
 live with him. Kionata falls a victim to the revenge of her 
 kinsmen and leaves Davis alone with a small daughter, 
 Leonide. Kionata had adhered to the religion of her fathers and 
 extracted a solemn promise from her child to remain faithful to 
 the same. It is the fate of Leonide and the conflict of the nature- 
 religion of her mother with the religion of her white father within 
 her that form the substance for this work. Leonide is one of the 
 most delightful of Strubberg s creations. Indeed, it has been re 
 marked that the author excelled in the delineation of female 
 characters. It is a fact that Strubberg has spent his most poetic 
 efforts in the portrayal of female personalities, and especially 
 such who live on the border line of nature and of civilization. 86 
 It is in the depicting of the Indian girl and the quadroon or mul- 
 latto of the South that he has allowed himself the greatest poetic 
 license. 
 
 In this novel Strubberg again appears to be operating with 
 the Rousseauian idea that human nature is good before it becomes 
 defiled through the influence of human culture. Leonide is a 
 Rousseauian character. 
 
 Leonide s father remarries and settles at a distance of a 
 several days ride from Strubberg s settlement on the Leona. 
 Leonide is reared with all the advantages that a Christian home 
 in such a remote district could offer. In spite of all she is never 
 
 M Cf . H. Ethe : Der transatlantisch-exotische Roman, etc., in Essays und 
 Studien. Berlin, 1872. 
 
no Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 quite able to release herself from the faith of her mother. Strub 
 berg under the name of Armand himself plays the role of lover 
 to the fair Indian maid. The poetry of this romance is put in 
 fine contrast to the rough realism of a frontier village. As a 
 background serves an intrigue between several white men inimical 
 to Armand and the Indian kinsmen of Leonide for the purpose 
 of disposing of Armand and incidentally restoring Leonide to 
 her people. On the eve of Armand s marriage with Leonide a 
 fearful storm rages, during which the Davis home is attacked by 
 Indians. At the moment that Leonide sinks in the arms of the 
 Indian chief Toscalor, her maternal grandfather, both are hurled 
 to the ground and killed by a bolt of lightning. This sensational 
 close is only another instance of Strubberg s weakness. Leonide s 
 totally unmotivated death is distasteful in the highest degree, and 
 introduced for no other apparent reason than to avoid Armand s 
 union with Leonide. The author frequently introduces himself 
 in his novels as the lover, but consistently avoids actual mar 
 riage. 37 
 
 Die drei H ausho.lt ennnen, the second work included under 
 the title Aus Armand s Frontierleben occupies 135 pages of the 
 third volume. This, with the novelette Bin Wilder, which follows 
 directly upon it, together with Scenen aus den Kdnipfen der Mexi- 
 caner und Nordamerikctner, and the little work Der Methodisten- 
 Geistliche, comprise Strubberg s only endeavors in the shorter 
 novelistic form. We can only wish he had taken this form more 
 frequently and thus avoided those difficulties which he never 
 mastered in the more extensive form. 
 
 One trait in Strubberg s works, conspicuous by its absence, 
 is a sense of humor. The author s seriousness is in itself almost 
 amusing. This lack of humor may be due partly to the author s 
 many vicissitudes in life, partly also to the age of the author. In 
 this novellette, Die drei Haush dlterinnen, the author has, how 
 ever, really proved himself capable of sketching a series of humor 
 ous situations. It is perhaps the most refreshing of all of Strub 
 berg s works. 
 
 * T Cf. Bis in die Wildlniss and An der Indianer-Grenze. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg m 
 
 We are again taken to the banks of the Leona. The lonely 
 fort, once occupied by Armand and his three fellow colonists, 
 is now forsaken and ruined. With the advance of other settlers, 
 Armand found it necessary to alter his habits of life, and to that 
 end built himself a more pretentious residence on the Leona, only 
 a half-hour below the old fort which served as "ein Anhaltspunkt 
 seiner Erinnerung an die gliicklichen Tage der Ruhe und Zufrie- 
 denheit nach den schweren Lebenssturmen, die ihn hierher ver- 
 schlagen hatten." One of the most decided steps toward a return 
 to civilization was the giving over of his domestic affairs into 
 the hands of a woman, Suky, a colossal colored mammy. Suky s 
 wonderful perspiring propensities, however, soon make it quite 
 impossible for Armand to appreciate her culinary art, and he 
 writes a German friend in New Orleans to secure him a German 
 housekeeper. Armand s difficulties with the three successive Ger 
 man housekeepers who have no sooner arrived than they are taken 
 in marriage by the lonely, wife-seeking squatters of that remote 
 district, form the material for this delightful little story. 
 
 This is followed by Ein Wilder, a novelette of 113 pages. It 
 is the romance of a stalwart Indian youth and the only daughter 
 of a frontiersman. The daughter Lydia had been carried off by 
 the Indians, but is restored to her people by the Indian brave 
 Paneo, who has fallen a victim to the charms of the fair captive. 
 Through the efforts of Armand, who again makes his appearance 
 and plays the benefactor as so often, the Indian youth is given 
 Christian instruction and finally marries Lydia. Paneo is ideal 
 ized in the extreme. The splendid imagery and rhetoric in the 
 mouth of the Indian youth appears out of place. 
 
 The inversion of numerous letters throughout the three 
 volumes of Aus Armand s Frontierleben, a note at the end of the 
 work explains is due to no fault of the compositor, but done at 
 the order of the author. It was Strubberg s way of protecting his 
 work against pirating publishers. 
 
 In the same year (1868) a second edition of Aus Armand s 
 Frontierleben was published in one volume by Carl Riimpler, of 
 Hannover. 
 
112 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 1869. In Sud-Carolina und auf dem Schlachtfelde von Langen- 
 salza. Von Armand. Hannover. Carl Rumpler. 4 Bde. 
 
 The sensational romance woven into this work reflects little 
 credit on the author and we may well omit tracing out its rambl 
 ing threads. For the panorama which the work gives of the rise 
 and progress of the Civil War, however, the author deserves un 
 reserved praise. The wealth of political and military detail and 
 the conscientious accuracy observed throughout is all the more 
 remarkable when we recall that the author has again passed out 
 of the sphere of his own experiences for his material, having 
 again returned to Germany several years before the time of 
 action. The author is therefore probably indebted to newspaper 
 reports or more accurate historical works. The slave element 
 and the descriptions of Southern plantation life no doubt rest on 
 personal experience. This work has perhaps less of cultural ma 
 terial than his earlier ones, but here the author is above all a re 
 porter of national events, and all else is secondary. 
 
 The scene of action opens on a Louisiana plantation. The 
 planter and his family are greatly concerned about the outcome 
 of the pending presidential election. The older daughter Olym- 
 pia and her lover Staunton are vehement supporters of the South ; 
 the younger daughter loves Captain Bayard, a Northern engineer, 
 then building the forts Jackson and St. Philipp on the Mississippi. 
 The younger daughter s sympathies are naturally with the North. 
 The vigorous dialog between the two daughters and their lovers, 
 and the final ostracism of the younger daughter give the author 
 ample opportunity for introducing the political differences of the 
 North and the South. Of the Southerners Olympia says (Vol. I, 
 p. 9) : "Frei und zum Herrn geboren, hat der Siidlander das ihm 
 von seinen ecllen Vorfahren hinterlassene Erbtheil, seine Macht, 
 seine Rechte, bis jetzt seinem Verbiindeten, dem Nordlander ge- 
 geniiber zu schirmen und zu schiitzen gewusst, er ist die starkste 
 Stiltze der Union gewesen, hat die Schlachten gegen deren 
 Feinde geschlagen und mit seinem Blute ihre Grenzen erweitert, 
 ihren Reichthum, ihre Grosse vermehrt. Doch der Ritter des Sii- 
 dens wird dem Schacherer im Norden zu reich, zu machtig, zu 
 unabhangig, er giebt diesen nordischen Kramerseelen *ioch nicht 
 
Friedrich Armand Stnibberg 113 
 
 genug Prozente ab von dern Verdienste, welchen er der Erde ab- 
 gewinnt, und um seine Macht zu brechen, ihn dem Norden unter- 
 thanig zu machen, greift man nach seinen, ihn durch die Consti 
 tution garantirten Rechten, und will ihm seine Arbeitskrafte, seine 
 Sclaven nehmen. . . ." 
 
 The announcement of Lincoln s election is brought. Great 
 consternation prevails (Vol. I, p. 142 f. ) : "Wie ein zundender 
 Blitz in eine Pulvermine, so flog der Name Lincoln durch die 
 Siidstaaten Amerika s, und setzte Reich und Arm, Vornehm und 
 Niedrig, Alt und Jung, Mann und Weib in sturmische Aufre- 
 gung, in Wuth und Raserei. 
 
 "In keinem der Sclavenstaaten aber war die Wirkung eine 
 so heftige, eine so ziigellose, wie in Siid-Carolina, welches seit sei- 
 nem Eintritt in die Union stets dem Norden das Widerspiel gehal- 
 ten hatte, und immer der Leiter der iibrigen Sclavenstaaten ge- 
 wesen war. . . ." 
 
 "Der Augenblick war erschienen, wo die langjahrigen Be- 
 miihungen dieser Feinde der Union Friichte tragen sollten, und 
 Siid-Carolina zogerte nicht einen Augenblick nach Lincoln s Er- 
 wahlung, das Feuer in das Pulverfass zu werfen. 
 
 "Die Gesetzgebung dieses kleinen Staates war versammelt, 
 und beschloss einstimmig die sofortige Lostrennung von der 
 Union. In Charleston kiindigten mit wenigen Ausnahmen alle 
 Beamten der Regierung ihren Dienst, die Bewohner der Stadt 
 begannen, in die Miliz einzutreten, blaue Cocarden erschienen an 
 den Hiiten der Manner. ..." 
 
 Forts Moultrey and Sumter are described. Major Ander 
 son, whose career is sketched, is stationed at the former. In 
 December of 1860 the battleship "Pluto" makes its appearance. 
 Anderson s removal to Fort Sumter and the burning of Fort 
 Moultrey are told at length by the author. 
 
 The second volume opens in Charleston, which is thronged 
 with people, gathered there to await the crisis. South Carolina 
 had seceded. .On January 5, 1861, arrives the report that Presi 
 dent Buchanan refused to receive the officers of the independent 
 state and that he entertained no intention of withdrawing the 
 Union troops from the forts. "Das," writes Strubberg (Vol. II, 
 
ii4 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 p. 1 6 f.), "war.der ziindende Blitz, der die Flammen des Krieges 
 in Sud-Carolina entfesselte und sie nach den iibrigen Sclavenstaa- 
 ten hiniiber lodern liess." 
 
 The author continues to weave into his story a full report of 
 the actions of the South. Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, 
 Louisiana, and finally Texas, now also join the republic of South 
 Carolina. In Montgomery, Alabama, the Confederacy is founded 
 and Jefferson Davis elected to its Presidency. 
 
 Strubberg now takes up Lincoln, tells how he leaves his 
 quiet modest home in Springfield, and travels by way of Philadel 
 phia and Baltimore to Washington. On the way a plot arranged 
 by the Southerners to murder Lincoln, is discovered and Lincoln 
 is secretly taken to Washington a day earlier than he had planned. 
 General Scott, the old hero of the Mexican War, had gathered a 
 small army to protect Lincoln. The Confederacy now institutes 
 an army and appoints Major Pierre Gustave Toutant, named 
 Beauregard as Brigadier-General. Strubberg stops to carefully 
 sketch Beauregard s career. In April Beauregard receives orders 
 to command Major Anderson of the Union to evacuate Fort 
 Sumter and to attack the same upon refusal. Then follows (Vol. 
 II, p. 132), a splendid description of the attack on Fort Sumter 
 and the beginning of the Civil War. 
 
 The further secession of Virginia, Arkansas, North Caro 
 lina and Tennessee, and the final declaration of war against the 
 rebellious South is recounted. Jefferson Davis, though the au 
 thor seldom introduces conspicuous historical figures into the 
 dialog itself, makes his appearance at a social in the palace of 
 Artega, a wealthy Southerner, in Charleston, where the principals 
 in the romance are gathered. 
 
 In Vol. Ill a spirited account of Bull Run is given. 
 Strubberg had already in the first volume introduced his inevi 
 table German in the person of young Wallstein, who, out of 
 enthusiasm for the republican form of government, comes to 
 America. His unpleasant experiences and his ideas of the repub 
 lic, and its slavery form an interesting part of the work. They 
 probably reflect some of the author s own ideas. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 115 
 
 Bayard s activities as a spy, the bombardment of Forts Jack 
 son and St. Philipp under Farragut, and the attack on New Or 
 leans, form the chief episodes of the third volume. Generals Lee 
 and MacClellan are mentioned. 
 
 After following Staunton, the lover of Olympia, through 
 three volumes, the author with astonishing brevity disposes of 
 him by letting an alligator swallow him on the banks of the Mis 
 sissippi, where Staunton lay wounded from a naval battle. 
 
 The author s total lack of proportion and inner unity is 
 nowhere more clearly shown than in this work. At the end of 
 the third volume Strubberg with inartistic abruptness abandons 
 all the characters we have learned to know but Wallstein who, 
 sick of America, returns to his own home in Westphalia and 
 again takes up his work as an advocate. 
 
 The fourth volume appears to have no other purpose than to 
 enlarge the work. It consists of a rather insipid love story, in 
 which Wallstein plays only an unimportant role. Its only re 
 deeming feature is its political reflections and the graphic descrip 
 tion of the meeting of the Hannoverian army with the Prussian 
 on the battlefield of Langensalza. 
 
 This work was never republished. 
 
 1870. Der Krosus von Philadelphia. Von Armand. Hannover. 
 Carl Riimpler. 4 Bde. 
 
 Strubberg s baroque form of composition is well illustrated 
 in Der Krosus. Having well exhausted his own personal experi 
 ences, he now reverts to other phases of American history. In 
 the previous novel the period of the Civil War was exploited. 
 Der Krosus is the first work in which material antedating the 
 author s own time is introduced. It is in part a historical novel, 
 in which the author betrays a close study of American affairs. 
 
 The action of the novel begins with the year 1791, in St. 
 Domingo. Graf Louvencourt, a rich planter and slaveholder, 
 finds himself in a dangerous position on account of the strained 
 condition between the whites and the blacks. At a recent congress 
 in Paris the mulattoes had been given equal rights with the whites. 
 
n6 Fried-rich Armand Strubberg 
 
 To this congress Vincent Oge 38 had been sent as a mulatto from 
 the French island St. Domingo. 
 
 By a decree of July, 1792, also all negroes who were born 
 of free parents were given equal rights with the whites. The 
 mulattoes, many of whom were already wealthy and influential, 
 now plotted to draw all the inhabitants of color to themselves and 
 extract by power the privileges hitherto denied them by the 
 whites. The uprisings against the whites and the fearful atroci 
 ties resorted to in the execution of their revenge are skilfully nar 
 rated and occupy a large part of the first volume. 39 
 
 In the fifth chapter, the scene of action changes to the 
 peaceful Quaker city of Philadelphia. At this time the United 
 States had the commerce with the West Indies almost solely in 
 its own hands. Philadelphia, "die Bruderstadt," was the chief 
 business centre for this commerce. One of the oldest commercial 
 houses in Philadelphia was that of Thomas Pennel, who is por 
 trayed as a miser. Pennel had ten years before taken into his 
 employ an orphaned Irish lad, Richard Gatlard, who develops 
 remarkable business faculties, but is nevertheless retained in the 
 office of Pennel at a wretched salary. The reports of an ap 
 proaching famine in St. Domingo reach the ears of Pennel. The 
 war between England and France prevented France from sending 
 supplies. The internal uprisings on the island also prevented the 
 production of food. Flour is already selling at $20 per barrel. 
 Pennel buys up flour at $2.50 per barrel, loads the vessel "Nep 
 tune" with it, and sends young Gatlard to St. Domingo with it. 
 Pennel hopes to win $50,000. Gatlard is to receive five per cent, 
 commission. 
 
 On arriving at St. Domingo, Gatlard is beseeched by Lou- 
 vencourt to save them from the murdering negroes, who were 
 mercilessly slaying the whites. Louvencourt offers Gatlard an 
 enormous sum for conveying himself, family and possessions to 
 an American port. Gatlard agrees, but will take no passengers 
 on until the following day. In the meanwhile their possessions 
 
 "The character Vincent Oge suggests Theodor Miigge s Toussaint (1840). 
 M The two-volume edition of 1898 has been used. 
 
Frledrich Annand Strubberg 117 
 
 are to be brought on board. Louvencourt and many others bring 
 their countless treasures on board expecting an onslaught from 
 the negroes at any moment. On the morrow all are to be taken 
 on board. 
 
 The sun had sunk behind the hills of Cape Haiti. Gatlard 
 had gotten $150,000 from the whites as passage money. He was 
 a wealthy man. His eyes glanced over the numberless chests 
 and casks on the deck, holding priceless treasures and money 
 beyond counting. If the owners, thought Gatlard, should fall 
 victims to the negro insurgents, would he not be lawful heir? 
 Strange indefinite thoughts flit through his active mind. Why 
 must he wait for the passengers tomorrow ? The day dawns, the 
 report of cannon is heard. The negroes have fallen upon the 
 whites. The Louvencourts, fleeing, put out to sea on a small sail 
 boat, headed for the "Neptune." Seeking a slight excuse in the 
 dangers of himself being attacked by the negroes, he orders the 
 "Neptune" to lift anchor and sail away before the very face of 
 the despairing Louvencourts. 
 
 Gatlard escapes with the treasures, returns to Philadelphia, 
 dissolves connections with Fennel, and becomes by far the 
 wealthiest man in Philadelphia. The life of the conscience- 
 stricken Gatlard, though much obscured by other threads in the 
 novel, is the theme of the work. Gatlard is "Der Krosus von Phi 
 ladelphia." 
 
 The Louvencourts are finally picked up by another sailing 
 vessel, the "Delphia," bound for New Orleans. 
 
 Strubberg, having little consideration for the patience of his 
 readers, now stops to give an historical account of Louisiana. 
 The Louvencourts have left New Orleans, taken a boat up the 
 Mississippi, and settle on the Black River, a very remote territory, 
 still open to hostile Indians. 
 
 Strubberg now introduces his usual Indian element. The 
 Indian s relation with the Spanish and the French, also receive 
 due discussion. The author here introduces a Spanish fort, situ 
 ated at the confluence of the Red and the Black Rivers, which is 
 occupied by General Don Sarzano, who insists on spending his 
 life here with sixty men in defiance of the Indians. General Don 
 
n8 Fnedrich Annand Strubberg 
 
 Sarzano is one of the author s most individual characters. His 
 life and strange relation to the beautiful Whelika, daughter of an 
 Indian chief, have only a very slight connection with the main 
 thread of the work and form an interesting little novelette in 
 itself. 
 
 At the beginning of the second volume we revert to the 
 career of Gatlard, who lives in regal splendor in Philadelphia. He 
 has forsaken his early love Aglaja Astor and becomes the suc 
 cessful suitor of Octavio, the beautiful daughter of the wealthy 
 Lord Rowley, residing in Philadelphia. 40 The episode of General 
 Don Sarzano in his fort is continued. He at last falls a victim to 
 Indians. His body is sunk at night into the waters of the Black 
 River, at the place familiar to future generations as "Sarzano s 
 Grave." 
 
 The century had drawn to a close. Washington, the father 
 of the great new republic, had passed away. Spain had sold 
 Louisiana to France. The new president was Thomas Jefferson, 
 "ein alter Soldat aus dem Unabhangigkeitskriege, ein Freund und 
 die rechte Hand des verstorbenen Washington, ein reiner edler 
 Republikaner, der schon bei der Unabhangigkeitserklarung darauf 
 drang, dass kein Stuck amerikanischer Erde unter einer fremden 
 Macht verbleiben diirfe" (Vol. II, p. 184). Through Jefferson s 
 endeavors Louisianna had been purchased. 
 
 Louvencourt had prospered on the North River. His happi 
 ness was increased through the arrival of many other French 
 families who, through the influence of the negro Toussaint upon 
 the unbridled negro insurgents, were enabled to leave St. Domingo 
 and reach American soil in safety. 
 
 The years passed in peace and quiet until suddenly in 1812 
 the country plunged into a second war with England. The author 
 mentions the storming of Washington and the burning of the 
 capitol. Also he mentions General Jackson and his fortifying 
 New Orleans by means of cotton bales. An attack on the city by 
 the English in January, 1815, is described. 
 
 40 It is the Philadelphia of the period directly after the Revolution. The 
 author introduces less definite local color, however, than is noticeable in 
 those of his works whose time of action is contemporaneous. 
 
Frledrich Armand Strubberg 119 
 
 The time of action now suddenly shifts to the spring of 
 1828. On the slender American brig, the "Lady Adams," sail 
 ing up the sparkling Chesapeake is a single passenger, a young 
 German named Armand. 41 Strubberg, regardless of the action of 
 his story, now takes time to speak of Armand; is careful to 
 show that Armand never takes brandy ; 42 lets him visit the Wash 
 ington monument in Baltimore, then in course of erection; then 
 brings him on to Philadelphia by water. On the way Armand 
 meets a young American officer, Horton. Armand asks him 
 whether he knows the wealthy Richard Gatlard, for he has letters 
 of credit and recommendation addressed to him. He discovers 
 that Horton is Gatlard s nephew, his mother being Gatlard s sis 
 ter. Armand pays Gatlard a visit. It is through Horton, whose 
 father was a friend of Louvencourt, that the aged Gatlard and 
 Louvencourt, whom he so foully robbed in his youth, are brought 
 together in a very striking scene at the close of the work. Few 
 were ever to know what a wretched life the conscience-stricken 
 "Krosus" had lived. The citizens of Philadelphia recognized in 
 him only the kind old philanthropist. 
 
 With the completion of this novel Strubberg had spanned in 
 his works in a manner the whole period of the history of the 
 United States from the time directly after the Revolution down 
 through the Civil War. 
 
 A second edition of Der Krosus was published in two vol 
 umes in 1895 as the third "Abtheilung" in Armand s ausgewdhlte 
 Romane. 
 
 1872. Die alte spanische Urkunde. Von Armand. Hannover. 
 Carl Riimpler. 2 Bde. 
 
 This work commands the attention of the reader from be 
 ginning to end, but is built on a rather absurd idea. Robert and 
 Sarah Walton are the orphaned children of an Irish father and 
 
 **This autobiographic reference is hardly accurate. Strubberg s first 
 trip to America antedates 1828. 
 
 42 A friend of the author living in Gelnhausen today told the writer that 
 Strubberg said he had never drunk a glass of "Feuerwasser" in his life. 
 
I2O Fried-rich Armand Strubberg 
 
 a Spanish mother, the daughter of an old aristocrat Mendoza, 
 who lived in America. They have in their possession an old 
 document which shows that Mendoza had received large grants 
 of land along the Gulf of Mexico from the Spanish government, 
 to which land they are the lawful heirs. In the first sixty pages 
 we follow the two heirs with their document to Havanna. After 
 a stirring ocean voyage the two land at Havanna, where their 
 grandfather, Mendoza, had gone when the Spanish lands along 
 the Gulf passed into French control. Through the assistance of 
 the English consul investigations are made in the Spanish bureau, 
 and it is discovered that Robert and Sarah Walton are the legiti 
 mate heirs of all the land on which the prosperous city of Mobile 
 is located ! 
 
 The author now leaves the two heirs and transfers his read 
 ers to the Far West, to the land he knows so well, the land on 
 the banks of the beautiful Leona. Here on the plantation of a 
 rich Spaniard, whose name is also Mendoza, the action now con 
 tinues for some time. Doctor Armand (the author himself) now 
 enters. Though not very active, he is a potent factor, constantly 
 giving advice and counsel. An unnatural humility or modesty 
 never prevented Strubberg from revealing his own personality 
 (or shall we say the better part of his personality?). The auto 
 biographical material introduced is fairly consistent with that 
 found elsewhere throughout his works. The author does not 
 spare himself in ascribing to Armand that haughty manner which 
 seems to have been one of his most evident characteristics in life. 
 He lets one of the characters say of Armand (Vol. I, p. 235 f.) : 
 
 "Dort kommt auch Einer herangeritten, der nicht weiss, wo 
 er sich vor Hochmuth lassen soil und der die Gegend hier lange 
 genung beherrscht hat, weil er friiher der einzige Arzt hier war." 
 
 An old planter, Arnold, replies : "Und wohl mit Recht, Herr 
 Doctor, thun ihm die Leute hier gern etwas nach Wunsch, denn 
 er hat Jahre lang dieses Land bewohnt, als kein anderer Weisser 
 es der Indianer wegen wagte, hierher zu ziehen, und hat, als 
 endlich die Ansiedler sich urn ihn niederliessen, ihnen beigestan- 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 121 
 
 den und geholfen, wo er konnte, und hat sie mit grosster Auf- 
 opferting in Krankheiten behandelt. . . . Sagen Sie mir nichts 
 gegen Doctor Armand, oder wir werden bose Freunde !" 
 
 The action of the novel takes place at a time when Armand 
 had forsaken his fort on the Leona (probably about 1845), and 
 taken a more pretentious dwelling nearby, where he lived with 
 Addison, his mulatto boy, Milly, his quadroon housekeeper, and 
 his old dog Joe. 
 
 Of the picturesque ruins of his old fort on the high banks 
 of the Leona he says (Vol. I, p. 243) : "Mich stimmt es immer 
 wehmiitig, wenn ich nach dem alten, lieben Asyl, nach dem Fort 
 hinaufschaue und daran denke, wie mich damals das Gefuhl, Herr 
 zu sein so weit der Himmel blau, erhebend und fur friihere Lei 
 den entschadigend durchstromte, wie ich dort mein Schicksal in 
 eigener Hand trug und alles Unangenehme aus meinem Reiche 
 zuruckwies und von mir abschuttelte." 
 
 In the meanwhile Robert and Sarah Walton have come to 
 Mobile and put in their claims for the possession of all the land 
 on which that city is located. They succeed in getting the prom 
 inent advocate Starford to take up the case. The citizens of Mo 
 bile rise up in indignation against the foreign upstarts, who are 
 claiming their lands. Robert Walton is killed and the advocate 
 is obliged to flee. Sarah had been sent to New Orleans in order 
 to escape the expected troubles. A price is set on her head and 
 she is pursued. The consul of New Orleans had placed her in 
 the hands of Armand as Mary Black. Through Armand she 
 enters the home of Mendoza as governess. 
 
 The second volume develops the love story of Mary Black 
 and Carlos, the stepson of Mendoza. The lawsuit, still in prog 
 ress, is kept in the background. The advocate finally enters into 
 a compromise with the city of Mobile. The latter pays to Sarah 
 Walton ten million dollars, of which the advocate gets ten per 
 cent. The identity of Mary Black is revealed. She is married to 
 Carlos and is happy. 
 
122 Friedrich Annand Strubberg 
 
 The Indian element and a minute description of Western 
 life so frequently introduced in the author s works are notably 
 absent in this novel. 
 
 Die alte spanische Urkimde had also appeared in serial form 
 in the Kolnische Zeitung of 1872. 
 
 A second edition appeared in the second "Abteilung" of 
 Armand s Ausgeivdhlte Romane, in 1895-1896. 
 
 1872. Die Furstentochter. Von Armand. Hannover. Carl 
 
 Riimpler. 3 Bde. 
 
 Similar to Der Sprung vom Niagamfalle, the author again 
 lets much of the action take place in Europe. The prince of an 
 aristocratic European house falls in love with the Comtesse Laura 
 Olviani. He contracts a marriage with her, which, on account 
 of the inferior position of the Comtesse, is not made public. The 
 prince after ten years becomes faithless and marries a certain 
 princess, whose position permits him to recognize her as his wife. 
 Out of despair the forsaken Comtesse decides to emigrate to 
 America with her little daughter. 
 
 The American element enters in the middle of the second 
 volume and is introduced as follows (Vol. II, p. 108) : "Von 
 ihrer friihen Jugend an hatte Laura sich fur die neue Welt, fur 
 Amerika, leidenschaftlich interessiert und hatte die immer zuneh- 
 mende Auswanderung dorthin mit reger Theilnahme verfolgt." 
 Also (Vol. II, p. 130) : "Die in den Zeitungen oft besprochene 
 Auswanderung nach Texas hatte denn auch im Friihjahr lebhaft 
 begonnen, nahm aber im Sommer noch mehr zu, und auf den 
 Hauptstrassen, welche nach den Nordseehafen fuhrten, begeg- 
 nete man haufig den hoffnungstrunkenen Wanderern, die leichten 
 Herzens ihrer alten, trauten Heimath den Riicken gekehrt hatten, 
 und jubelnd mit Sack und Pack, Alt und Jung den Schifren zu- 
 strebten, die sie durch das Weltmeer nach dem ihnen vorgespiel- 
 ten Zauberlande tragen sollten." 
 
 The author again exploits the literary possibilities of the 
 ocean voyage and draws it out by a vivid shipwreck scene. The 
 
Friednch Armand Strubberg 123 
 
 vessel in which the Comtesse Laura and her daughter Castalia 
 and their servants, together with many German emigrants have 
 taken passage, is wrecked off the coast of Texas. A passing ves 
 sel takes them to the coast. In the third volume we follow 
 Laura s caravan from Houston to the interior of Texas through 
 many hardships. 43 The author introduces the Texas Rangers, 
 who were designated to protect the advancing settlers against the 
 attacks of the Indians. Laura and her attendants finally find a 
 suitable place for settlement and live in quiet. Toward the end 
 of the work Laura and her retinue make an expedition to the 
 beautiful Brazos Falls, but are attacked by a war party of Co- 
 manche Indians. Later Laura s settlement is washed away by the 
 flooding river and Laura is drowned. Castalia, the "Fiirsten- 
 tochter," is however saved, and marries the son of their former 
 forester, who had also emigrated to Texas, having escaped after 
 assisting in the Revolution at home. 
 
 Die Furstentochter was never republished. 
 
 1873. Der Methodisten-Geistliche. Eine Erzahlung aus dem 
 amerikanischen Leben von Armand. 
 
 It appeared as Vol. Ill in Interessante Gestalten. Bibliothek 
 neuer Romane und Erzahlungen. Prag. Verlag d. Bohemia. 
 
 This is one of Strubberg s shorter works occupying only 205 
 pages. The scene of action opens in a little town on the borders 
 of a prairie in the southwestern part of North America. In the 
 text, unlike that of most of his other works, the author has given 
 his scene no definite geographical position, nor does he include 
 much of his usual cultural material. Prompted probably by the 
 nature of the series in which this work appeared, it was Strub 
 berg s object to portray an American character in an interesting 
 story. The author shows an interest in Methodism in various of 
 
 48 This journey possibly reflects the experience of the German emigrants 
 brought on by the "Adelsverein" in 1844 and 1845. 
 
124 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 his works and frequently depicts their forms of worship, though 
 in a somewhat ludicrous manner. 44 
 
 In this novel Methodism, as it prevailed in a frontier town 
 among people whose religion found vent in a sensational emotion 
 alism, forms the background for the life of the Methodist clergy 
 man, who under the guise of winning young ladies as "heavenly 
 brides," has only his own passionate interests at heart. The vil 
 lainous life of the ignominious Methodist clergyman and his 
 attempts to take advantage of the orphan daughter of the Ger 
 man Willibald von Randorf, who has been reared in the Evan 
 gelical Church of Germany, and refuses to submit herself to the 
 ecstacies of Methodism, form the material for an unpleasant and 
 gaudy romance. Cf. the Methodist minister who thwarted 
 Strubberg s nuptials. 
 
 At the close of the work is given a very vivid railriding 
 scene ( Scheitholzreiten ) . 
 
 Der Methodistcn-Geistliche was never republished. 
 
 1874. Zwei Lebenswege. Von Armand. Mit vier Illustrationen 
 in Farbendruck und einem Kartchen. Prag. Druck und 
 Verlag der Bohemia, Actiengesellschaft fur Papier- und 
 Druckindustrie. i Bd. 
 
 Like Carl Scharnhorst this book of adventures is more ex 
 pressly for the young. After the manner carried out in Saat 
 und Ernie, the author presents two boys of strongly contrasting 
 natures. Otto Garbauer, son of a former seaman, is a clean, 
 straightforward lad, who is to follow the career of his father. 
 
 44 Cf. Der Sprung vom Niagarafalle, Vol. IV, p. 93 f, and An der India- 
 nergrenze, Vol. II, p. 108 f (2nd Ed.). 
 
 The author himself appears, at least in his later years, to have had a 
 strong religious inclination, a trait which appears again and again in his 
 works. The excessively religious tone of some of his characters is not 
 always pleasing in its effect. Strubberg now and then gave open expression 
 to his religious bent. He claimed (see Appendix) on one occasion to have 
 thrashed the poet Heine, who in his youth is said to have been a visitor at 
 the Strubberg house, for his irreligious views. At the beginning of the 
 eighties he was even on the verge of handing a protest to the Reichstag 
 against several members who were notorious atheists, and had, as he thought, 
 consequently no right to represent the people of a Christian state. 
 
Friedrich Annand Strubberg 125 
 
 Franz Hagen, son of the village pastor, is treacherous and dis 
 honest. The adventures of these two boys are then related side 
 by side, and the author in a somewhat didactic fashion shows 
 that the ways of the wicked do not go unpunished. 
 
 Franz Hagen steals his father s church money, escapes at 
 night with Trompeter Sturz, a low character, who has lived an 
 adventurous life in America, to Bremen, where they board a ves 
 sel for America. Otto Garbauer is at the same time placed as an 
 apprentice on the sailing vessel "Mathilda," under Captain Har- 
 man. North of Scotland the "Mathilda" is wrecked and only 
 Harman and Otto are saved, having been picked up by a whaler. 
 Strubberg now gives a very vivid account of whale fishing, which 
 is continued for several weeks. The vessel is on its way to Baffin 
 Bay, but is caught in the ice and founders. Harman and Otto 
 effect their escape on the pieces of ice to a waste where nothing 
 greets them but snow and ice. They wander on until a peculiar 
 mound of snow, which seems to show the touch of human hands, 
 confronts them. It is the home of an Esquimau, who greets 
 them kindly. He speaks English, having once accompanied an 
 American polar expedition! Here the two remain to the close 
 of the summer and during the long winter night until the follow 
 ing summer. The author describes very minutely Esquimau life, 
 their clothing, and how to build an ice hut. The wild animals of 
 the North are introduced and carefully described. Otto and the 
 Captain are finally picked up by a whaler on its way to New 
 York. 
 
 Franz Hagen and his rascally friend have in the meanwhile 
 led villainous lives in New York as gamblers. Franz becomes a 
 circus rider, later a horse thief, and is finally sentenced to six 
 years in Sing Sing. Both he and Otto later return to their homes 
 in Germany. 
 
 This work has little literary value for us. Its wealth of 
 minutely described exotic material, however, commends it as 
 juvenile literature. 
 
 A less expensive edition of Zwei Lebenswege appeared in 
 the same year. 
 
126 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 1875. Die geraubten Kinder. Eine Erzahlung aus Texas fur 
 die Jugend von Armand. Mit vier Bildern in lithographi- 
 schem Farbendruck von Professor H. Biirkner. Breslau. 
 Verlag von Eduard Trewendt. i Bd. 
 
 In this juvenile novel the author is more successful than in 
 Zwei Lebenswege. Though not so rich in adventure as Carl 
 Scharnhorst, it excels that novel in poetic narrative. Strubberg s 
 simple, pleasing style, with occasional didactic and moralizing 
 traits, makes him an attractive writer for children. The author 
 wastes no time in tracing the careers of his characters before they 
 emigrate to America, as he so often does, but takes us at once to 
 his beloved Texas. ". . . in dem ewig f ruhlingsgriinen, von den 
 durchsichtigen Wogen des mexikanischen Golfs bespiilten, scho- 
 nes Texas," writes the author, "liber dessen unabsehbare, Jahr 
 aus und Jahr ein mit tausendfaltigen Blumen geschmiickte Prai- 
 rien, die frische, kiihle Seeluft ununterbrochen hinweht und die 
 sengende Gluth der Sonnenstrahlen verscheucht, in dessen kry- 
 stallklaren, schaumend brausenden Stromen man die Fische bis 
 auf den tiefsten Grund spielen sieht, dessen Riesenunvalder in 
 ihrem Dunkel die prachtigsten Bliithen und die sussesten Friichte 
 zur Schau tragen, und dessen Westen von purpurblauen Gebirgen 
 begrenzt ist, liegt ein Stadtchen, welches Friedrichsburg heisst. 
 Friedrichsburg wurde im Anfange der vierziger Jahre von deut- 
 schen Einwanderern erbaut und zahlte nach wenigen Jahren be- 
 reits iiber tausend Bewohner, trotzdem es noch immer sparlichen 
 Verkehr mit der iibrigen Welt hatte. Es liegt hoch in den west- 
 lichen Gebirgen; die nachsten Stadte, Neu-Braunfels, ungefahr 
 zu gleicher Zeit ebenfalls von Deutschen gegriindet, siidlich von 
 Friedrichsburg und Austin am Colorado, ostwarts von demselben 
 gelegen, waren iiber hundert englische Meilen entfernt, und im 
 Norden und Westen breitet sich die Urwildniss aus." 
 
 At the extreme west end of Friedrichsburg lived the family 
 Von Bialof. Herr v. Bialof, a Galizian, had been a "Rittmeister" 
 in Austrian service. He was the second son in a noble family 
 and his heritage was consequently a small one, his older brother 
 being according to custom the chief heir. He had married a cer- 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 127 
 
 tain Grafm B., and had two children. Seeing that his income 
 was quite too small, he resolved to emigrate to America. "Texas," 
 writes Strubberg (p. 4), "war damals das Land, wohin Tausende 
 von Unzufriedenen und Europamuden ihre sehnsikhtigen Blicke 
 richteten und auch Bialof wahlte es zu seiner neuen Heimat." 
 
 Early in the story the two children of Von Bialof, a boy 
 and girl of eight and nine years respectively, are robbed by four 
 Mescalero Indians and brought to their chief, Paringa, who de 
 sires to rear the fair children as his own. The parents in com 
 pany with a tribe of friendly Delawares, under their young chief 
 Youngbear, set out to pursue the Indians and regain their 
 children. The experience of the children, their own remarkable 
 efforts to escape, and their success in concealing themselves from 
 their pursuers, together with the efforts of their parents and the 
 final recovery of their children, furnish the material for this 
 novel. 
 
 The courtly behavior of Strubberg s Indians in this work is 
 slightly amusing. The little white girl, Roschen, as she is called, 
 hands the Indian Karkhui some wild strawberries. He replies : 
 "Karkhui macht das scharfe Reiten in der Sonne nicht mude und 
 nicht hungrig, nur weil Du sie mir so freundlich giebst, schme- 
 cken sie mir so gut." Paringa, the old Indian chief, lifts her 
 hand, kisses it and says : "Paringa ist immer gliicklich, wenn er 
 Dich bei sich hat" (p. 89). 
 
 Youngbear exclaims "Gottlob!" rather a strange ejaculation 
 for an Indian. 
 
 On page 5 1 is shown an Indian in the solemn act of sun wor 
 ship. 
 
 The Colonialdirector of Friedrichsburg (Strubberg him 
 self ) is referred to (p. 133). The time of action is therefore 
 about 1847. 
 
 The Indian Youngbear, we remember, appears also in the 
 novel Friedrichsburg. The Indian name Katensi is probably a 
 perversion of Kateumsi, an Indian name which also appears in 
 Friedrichsburg. 
 
 The author, it appears, has to some extent drawn on his ex 
 periences as Colonialdirector in the colony of Friedrichsburg. 
 
128 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 Perhaps mindful of the fact that he is writing a juvenile 
 novel, the author has idealized the Indian rather decidedly and 
 spread a glamor of romance over the whole. 
 
 Die geraubten Kinder went through only one edition. 
 
 1878. Vornehm und Bilrgerlich. Roman aus dem Leben von 
 
 Armand. 
 
 This is the author s last novel. It was never published in 
 book form. It had appeared as a serial in the Kref elder Zei- 
 tung,** in the year 1878. The work is arranged for publication in 
 three volumes. 
 
 It is in a sense a "Tendenz-Roman." As the subject betrays, 
 it takes up German social relations. The author s knowledge of 
 democratic institutions serves him well here in defining the rela 
 tion between the "sogenannten Vornehme" and the "Burgerliche." 
 In this, like so many of the author s later novels, the ethno 
 graphic material takes up but a small part of the whole. 
 
 Through two volumes we follow a gaudy love story. 
 Herr Hochberg, a wealthy aristocrat, falls in love with Helene 
 Walther, an orphan, poor, but wellbred, and having enjoyed a 
 certain amount of culture. It is the old conventional love story. 
 Hochberg is sincere in his passion for Helene, but his social posi 
 tion does not permit him to marry her. It is a blow Helene 
 never quite overcomes. She retires to a little town where, in a 
 democratic spirit, she hopes to earn a livelihood by the labor of 
 her hands. Here she meets a friend of her youth. Franz Haupt, 
 whom she marries. 
 
 This work possesses little literary value. The advanced age 
 of the author (Strubberg was seventy-two years old when this 
 
 46 The following is an excerpt from a letter addressed to me by the 
 editors of the above-mentioned paper : . . . In Beantwortung Ihres geehr- 
 ten Schreibens von gestern erwiedern wir Ihnen, dass der Roman "Vornehm 
 und Burgerlich" im Feuilleton der "Krefelder Zeitung" vom i. Oktober bis 7. 
 Dezember, 1878, erschienen ist und z. Zeit sehr grossen Beifall in unserem 
 Leserkreise gefunden hat. . . . 
 
 Hochachtungsvoll ! 
 
 Redaktion d. Krefelder Zeitung. 
 (Signed) Kramer & Baum. 
 
 The serial pages of this work were furnished to the writer by Frau 
 Lenkmann of Kassel. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 129 
 
 work appeared) may explain in part the diffuse form of this 
 novel. Many of the incidents upon which important motivations 
 are based are too startling and unnatural to be in good taste. 
 Thus Franz Haupt and Helene have no sooner gotten happily set 
 tled in their house than a fire breaks out and their house is burnt 
 to the ground. This motivates their emigration to America. 
 Helene in her reply to her husband s suggestion of migrating re 
 plies : "Doch nun hore, dass auch ich fortwahrend an Amerika 
 gedacht habe, weil dort das Land ist, wo Arbeit und Fleiss be- 
 lohnt werden und wo der Arbeitende geehrt und geachtet wird." 
 They take passage on the "Catharine" (Captain Sagemiihl) from 
 Bremen to Baltimore. 
 
 Hochberg, sick at heart, has in the meanwhile traveled ex 
 tensively. For a long time he resided in Rome. The author de 
 scribes a Roman carnival. Hochberg is persuaded by his Amer 
 ican friend Carton, while in Rome, to seek solace for his wounded 
 spirit in America. "Amerika," says Carton, "soil Sie schon wie- 
 der aufheitern; es hat schon manches wunde deutsche Herz ge- 
 heilt." 46 Hochberg sails from Livorno to Baltimore. 
 
 At the beginning of the third volume we at last have our 
 chief characters in America. Franz and Helene having been 
 robbed of their small savings remain in Baltimore for some time. 
 Hochberg meets them here, and, suffering from a feeling of hav 
 ing acted unjustly to Helene, gives Franz and Helene financial 
 aid. 
 
 Hochberg goes to Niagara Falls (as Strubberg had done on 
 his early trip to America). The author gives a very fine descrip 
 tion of that great cataract, which had attracted so many of 
 Europe s romantic spirits. 
 
 Toward the close of the work we follow Franz, Helene and 
 child, to St. Louis and thence to the little town of Independance 
 on the Missouri. On arriving they hear of a great caravan about 
 to leave for Santa Fe, New Mexico, whither the gold and silver 
 mines were then attracting many Americans. They resolve to 
 join it. In crossing the prairies, the caravan is attacked and only 
 
 " Cf. Beginning of Chapter VII, Vol. III. 
 
130 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 Franz and Helene, with their child escape. They return to Inde- 
 pendance and then wander on to Cincinnati. In the vicinity of 
 that city they buy land on the Ohio, and convert its hilly slopes, 
 Rhine-like, into huge vineyards; they make wine, prosper, and 
 become a distinguished American family "Biirgerlich und doch 
 vornehm !" 
 
 POEMS. 
 
 Upon the close of the novel In Mexico, at the end of the 
 fourth volume of the first edition, published by Schmorl und Von 
 Seefeld in Hannover, 1865, follows a handful of poems, Dichtun- 
 gen aus den Cordilleren, which have little genuine merit, but can 
 not be omitted in a treatment of the author s complete works. The 
 author introduces them with these lines : 
 
 "Der Verfasser fiigt hier die nachfolgenden Gedichte bei, 
 weil sie aus der Zeit herstammen, wo er in jenen Landern, den 
 Schauplatzen vorstehenden Werkes lebte. Unter dem frischen, 
 begeisternden Eindruck damaliger Umgebung erstanden, geben 
 sie treue Schilderungen jener Gegenden und Bilder aus dem Leben 
 und den Erlebnissen des Verfassers selbst, und werden als solche 
 seinen verehrten Lesern und Leserinnen nicht unwillkommen 
 
 sein." 
 
 The first poem in the collection, Treue Liebe, consisting of 
 eight strophes, contains no local coloring. The poem has a pretty, 
 though rather worn subject: The rose and her lover the wind. 
 Aside from its really musical verses, the poem is interesting on 
 account of its personal note. It is very perceptible that the rose 
 is Strubberg s youthful love and he himself the wind. The duel 
 with the opposing cousin of the young lady in Bremen, upon 
 which Strubberg flees to America is also reflected : 
 
 "Da bricht herein der Trennung Weh, 
 Sie woll n in Schmerz vergeh n : 
 Leb wohl, Du siisse Ros , Ade 
 Auf gliicklich Wiedersehn! 
 Ein schwarz Gewitter reisst ihn auf 
 In fernen, luft gen Raum, 
 Und treibt ihn wirbelnd mit sich fort; 
 Hin ist der Fruhlingstraum 1" 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 131 
 
 Again, with more apparent reference to himself: 
 
 "In eis gem Sturm, in Sonnengluth 
 Durchzieht er Land und See, 
 Bald jauchzt er auf in frohem Muth, 
 Bald seuf zt er hohl und weh : 
 Ob in der Tropen Wunderland 
 Manch schone Blum er sieht, 
 Die Rose, sie vergisst er nie, 
 Die ihm so hold erbluht." 
 
 In his second poem Der Eissturm in den Cordilleren, the 
 author has hit upon a happier subject. The raging elements in 
 their most awful and august moments were always a favorite 
 theme of Strubberg. The grandeur of the Cordilleres and the 
 fury of the storm sweeping over them is well described. The 
 poem is written in the familiar meter of Longfellow s "Hia 
 watha," though in verses of eight accents each. To illustrate: 
 
 "In der Auden Riesenkette steigen der Gebirge Massen 
 Auf in waldbedeckten Hohen, in gewaltigen Terrassen 
 Thurmen holier sich die Felsen, bis die eisgekronten Spitzen 
 Unter m blauen Ather schwebend, in dem Gold der Sonne blitzen. 
 
 "Gold und Purpur gliiht im Westen uber der Gebirge Nacken, 
 Und in rothem Feuersaume strahlen ihre eis gen Zacken; 
 Da erhebt ein schwarz Gewolke plotzlich sich im fernen Norden, 
 Wachset rasch und Unheil drohend liber der Gebirge Borden." 
 
 Der Eissturm in den Cordilleren is followed by Der Prairie- 
 brand, another favorite subject, and one which the author has 
 rendered in various forms in several of his novels. The poem, in 
 the same meter as the above, gives in seventy-six verses a fine 
 description of this tragedy of the prairies. The author after his 
 fashion introduces himself fleeing before the pursuing flames on 
 his familiar white stallion. Internal evidence leads us to con 
 clude that the poem is a poetic version of that prairie fire so 
 strikingly described in Amer. Jagd- und Reiseabenteuer. 
 
132 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 The four little Stimmungsgedichte: Der M or gen in der Wild 
 niss, Der Mittag in der Wildniss, Der Abend in der Wildniss, 
 and Die Nacht in der Wildniss, reflect no additional glory on the 
 poet. 
 
 The last poem, Des Indianer s Rache, is a poetic version of 
 the episode of the faithless Indian maid Zateka, her Indian lover 
 Utho, and the white criminal Toroney introduced in Der Sprung 
 vom Niagarafalle, 47 which was published in the previous year, 
 1864. The exposition of the poem is in fifteen strophes of eight 
 verses each. Here again it appears that Strubberg had Longfel 
 low s "Hiawatha" as prototype : 
 
 "Vor dem buntgeschmiickten Zelte 
 Hielt auf weichen Bisonhauten 
 Utho, der Indianerhauptling, 
 In der jungen Liebe Freuden 
 Seine reizende Zateka 
 Mit dem braunen Arm umwunden, 
 Selig traumend, denn er hatte 
 Nie zuvor solch Gliick empfunden." 
 
 In the last third of the poem in which the Indian lover exe 
 cutes revenge upon the Indian maid and his white opponent, the 
 influence of Schiller s Der Toucher is very noticeable. In the epi 
 sode in the novel the maid and her lover are sent over the falls 
 of the Niagara. In the poem no specific locality is stated. The 
 poem closes with these verses : 
 
 "Wie das Schiffchen dahinjagt, von Wellen umzischt, 
 Wie die Beiden sich fester umschliessen, 
 Wie sie, fliegend umwehet von spriihendem Gischt, 
 In den fluthenden Abgrund jetzt schiessen! 
 Da unten in ewiger, grausiger Nacht 
 1st der Hass und die Liebe zu Grabe gebracht" 
 
 It need not be added that Strubberg s sphere was not that 
 of poetry. These poems were not reprinted in the second edition 
 of In Mexico, published in 1898. 
 
 * T Cf. Vol. IV, p. 189. The same names have been employed. 
 
Frledrich Armand Strubberg 133 
 
 DRAMAS. 
 
 Long before Strubberg published his last novel, Vornehm 
 und Burgerlich, a marked deterioration in his works is noticeable ; 
 probably this is due in part to his advanced age, in part to the 
 vexations through many years, brought on by the lawsuit of the 
 Hessian agnates against Prussia, which the author as advocate for 
 the Hessian house, led to a successful end. 
 
 It is one of the regrettable features in Strubberg s career that 
 he was unable to measure his limitations. Nothing is more pa 
 thetic than the author s attempt in his old age to gather fresh 
 laurels as a dramatist. The few dramas before us show his 
 utter failure in this department of literature. They are the only 
 works of the author which appeared under the name of F. A. 
 Strubberg. 
 
 In 1882 appeared Strubberg s most pretentious dramatic en 
 deavor: Gustav Adolf ** Trauerspiel in fiinf Aufziigen von F. A. 
 Strubberg (Armand). Den Biihnen gegeniiber Manuscript. Cas- 
 sel. Druck von Rich. Trommer. 
 
 Apparently Schiller s Wallenstein served as a prototype 
 for Gustav Adolf. The play is rich in historical matter, but it is 
 not made an integral part of the dialog. The exposition is man 
 aged with little art and evidently only out of the necessity to in 
 form the reader rather than also growing properly out of the 
 work. 
 
 Gustav Adolf is portrayed as "der grosse Sieger, der wie ein 
 Rettungsengel iiber Deutschland zog." He has at heart only the 
 restoration of the freedom of faith in Germany. The battle of 
 Breitenfeld crowns "des Konig s edles Rettungswerk, die Evan- 
 gel schen Deutschlands aus der Macht der Jesuiten zu befreien." 
 The author introduces the struggles of the Evangelical Church 
 
 48 The dramatis persona are : Gustav Adolf, Konig von Schweden ; Koni- 
 gin Marie Eleonore; Hofdame Anna Lesslie; Reichskanzler Axel Oxenst- 
 jerna; Rittmeister Bitzthum ; Graf Thurn ; Kanzler Goetze; Obrist Taupodel ; 
 Landgraf Wilhelm V. von Hessen; Edelknabe Leuhelfing; Wallenstein; 
 Jesuit Munyeli; Terszky; Fiihrer, Rathsherr zu Niirnberg; Jarski, Botte von 
 Wien; Rathsherrn zu Frankfurt; Herzog Franz Albert von Lauenberg. 
 
 Die Scene im ersten Akt in Frankfurt a. M., im zweiten in Prag, im 
 dritten in Frankfurt a. M., im vierten in Niirnberg, im funften in Erfurt und 
 in Weissenfels. 
 
134 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 against Catholicism. The conflict lies between Gustavus Adolphus 
 and Wallenstein. The latter has little to remind us of Schiller s 
 Wallenstein, but his interests in astrology. Strubberg charac 
 terizes Wallenstein with such words as "dunkeler," "geheimnis- 
 voller," or "grauenvoller Mann." Strubberg shows no partiality, 
 but makes him a low designer for the throne of Bohemia. The 
 play closes with a long description of the death of Gustavus 
 Adolphus in the battle of Weissenfels. 
 
 The dialog leaves much to be desired. The characters are 
 themselves quite lost in the long verbose passages they are given 
 to say. Strubberg, the narrator, is very present. The play, 
 though written in prose form is so rhythmical that one is dragged 
 along unwillingly. The attempt at rhythm is very evident and 
 often very strained. The affected misplaced pronouns and elided 
 forms are unpardonable. 49 
 
 1883. D er Freigeist. 50 Schauspiel in drei Aufziigen von F. A. 
 Strubberg (Armand). Den Biihnen gegeniiber Manuscript. 
 Druck von Rich. Trommer in Cassel. 
 
 Strubberg s inability to present a well-designed plot is al 
 ready evident in his novels, where pleasing narrative, wealth of 
 description, and detailed accounts of Indian and American cus 
 toms and manners make up for this loss in a way. Here, how 
 ever, all is lacking. In Der Freigeist we have not the slightest 
 framework of a drama. The author has taken up the free 
 thought idea, brought on by modern scientific investigations and 
 wishes to show the disasters brought on by one who no longer 
 believes in God. Herr Krantz is, on account of his unbelief, dis- 
 
 49 The following will serve as illustrations: Oxenstjerna: Sein Sie will- 
 kommen uns, Herr Graf. Act I, Sc. 2. 
 
 Konigin: Geduld? Mein Gustav, ach zu schwer ward auf die Probe sie 
 gestellt. Denk, bald zwei Jahre bliebst du fern von mir und mit beklomm - 
 nem Herz empfing ich jede Ktmde, die iiber meine ird sche Seligkeit, den 
 Liebsten meiner Seele, mir Nachricht geben sollte. Act I, Sc. 7. 
 
 60 The dramatis persona are: Commerzienrath Moritz Krantz, Schreiner- 
 meister und Bauunternehmer ; Frau Krantz, dessen Frau; Anna Krantz, 
 deren Tochter; Assessor Paul Randorf, Brautigam der Anna Krantz; Wal- 
 ther, Rentier, Kirchenvorstand ; Wolf, Lohgerbermeister ; Schraube, Geld- 
 makler; Zabel, Gerichtsvollzieher ; Handwerker; Mitglieder der Kirchenge- 
 meinde. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 135 
 
 missed together with his family from the church and the social 
 club. The dialog is exceedingly wordy and yet develops no ap 
 parent ascending action, turning point, or unravelling. One 
 might say it is a play that moves in a straight line. Herr Krantz, 
 the unbeliever, even enters upon a long discussion with Walther, 
 "der Kirchenvorstand," concerning the latest triumphs of scien 
 tific investigation, in which Strubberg puts into Walther s mouth 
 long paragraphs of very poor and unscientific argumentation. 
 Krantz, on account of his disconnections from church and society, 
 fails in business. He finally returns to the church again (one 
 feels it is rather on account of his business than by conviction), 
 and all ends well. 
 
 Der Freigeist is a tract rather than a drama. The play occu 
 pies 47 pages, and would hardly take more than an hour for per 
 forming. 
 
 1885. Die Quadrone. 51 Schauspiel in drei Aufziigen, neu fur 
 die Biihne bearbeitet von F. A. Strubberg (Armand). Cas- 
 sel. Im Selbstverlag des Verfassers. 
 
 This is the author s most successful dramatic endeavor. It 
 is natural that his best drama should be that in which he employs 
 material with which he was well acquainted. His dialog is vastly 
 superior. Also he has given in Die Quadrone real dramatic con 
 flict, rising action, turning point, intense dramatic suspense, and 
 final successful unravelling. 
 
 The play is a dramatization of his novelette Die Quadrone. 
 Crawford, a poor planter, is financially distressed on account of 
 his poor sandy lands. He has had a daughter by a mulatto slave. 
 The child was, however, taken up by Crawford s legitimate wife 
 and reared as her own daughter. The slave dealer Weston, a 
 
 "The dramatis persona are: Leonta, Quadrone; Crawford, Vater Leon- 
 tas, Pflanzer an der Golfkiiste von Florida; Frau Crawford, dessen Gattin; 
 Anna, deren Tochter; Sam, Crawford s Sclave, ein Neger; Lavallee, Plan- 
 tagenbesitzer in Louisiana; Latone, dessen Sclavin, eine Negerin; Morin, 
 Colonel genannt, reicher Kapitalist in New Orleans; Weston, Sclavenhandler 
 in New Orleans; ein Geschaftsfiihrer Weston s; Cato, Neger, Bob, Neger, 
 Ben, Mulatte, Weston s Sclaven ; Baxtor Scherif; Stockton, Kapitan des 
 Dampfschiffes "Albatross"; Frau Stockton, dessen Gattin; deren Tochter- 
 chen ; Ort der Handlung : Theils an der Golfkiiste von Florida, theils in New 
 Orleans. 
 
136 Fried-rich Armand Strubbcrg 
 
 hard man, visits Crawford and is stricken with the girl s comeli 
 ness. Knowing Crawford s financial needs, he tempts him to sell 
 his daughter. Crawford sells Leonta for $9000. She is by stra 
 tegy led on board a vessel, where she is seized and put in a cabin. 
 Crawford returns to the house and announces that Leonta has 
 fallen into the water and drowned. Leonta, frantic with despair, 
 wiggles out of the small cabin window into the water, swims to 
 the shore and escapes. The following scene shows Leonta pur 
 sued by Weston s hounds; he succeeds in recapturing the "gelbe 
 Hexe" and takes her away. A scene between Crawford and his 
 wife follows, in which the latter impresses the enormity of his 
 crime upon her husband. Crawford is conscience-stricken and 
 attempts to buy Leonta back. 
 
 In the second act Leonta is taken to the house of the slave- 
 dealer Weston. Here a beautiful gown is placed on Leonta, and 
 she is put on sale. Morin, a mean speculator, having heard of 
 the famous beauty advertised by Weston, calls on him and desires 
 to purchase Leonta, only thinks Weston s price of $20,000 too 
 high. He leaves to return the following day, having asked to 
 remain first bidder. Lavallee, a rich and philanthropic planter 
 from Louisiana, enters and purchases Leonta, simply to save her 
 from the immoral Morin. He had once before bought a slave 
 for the same reason. Morin enters furious. A frecus ensues 
 between Lavallee and Morin, in which the latter falls. Lavallee 
 furnishes Leonta with a pleasant house and treats her with respect 
 and courtesy. He has fallen madly in love with her. Though she 
 is in reality his possession, his sense of honor does not permit 
 him to take advantage of her. Leonta hides her own love for 
 him. Lavallee, in despair of winning her love, determines to 
 leave her, not, however, before restoring her freedom and giving 
 her financial securities. Leonta, however, refuses to leave him 
 and destroys the paper that gives her her freedom. She reveals 
 her love. Lavallee is enraptured, resolves to marry Leonta and 
 forsake a country in which he cannot possess a quadroon wife 
 without being despised. 
 
 In the third act Crawford, Leonta s father, enters with a 
 bag of gold, and Judas-like begs Lavallee to accept this sinful 
 
Friedrich Annand Strubberg 137 
 
 money in return for the quadroon, his own child. Lavallee in 
 forms Crawford that Leonta is free and no one has any power 
 over her. Crawford is stricken with the thought that Leonta has 
 chosen to be LavalleVs mistress. Lavallee then makes known his 
 intentions of taking Leonta to Switzerland as his wife. The 
 money for which Leonta was sold is to be given to the poor. The 
 play ends with the departure of Lavallee and Leonta for Switzer 
 land. 
 
 1886. Leben und Tod des Kaisers Friedrich Barbarossa.** 
 Schauspiel in vier Aufziigen von F. A. Strubberg (Ar- 
 mand). Hanau. Druck der I. G. Kittsteiner schen Buch- 
 druckerei. 
 
 The subject for this last work was probably suggested to 
 the aged author by the beautiful red sandstone ruins of the im 
 perial palace, erected by Barbarossa on the little island of the 
 Kinzig in Gelnhausen, whither Strubberg had retired in his last 
 years, and where he died. The play, though pleasing in its en 
 deavors, bears abundant traces of the author s mistaken faith in 
 his dramatic powers. 53 
 
 The first act takes place partly in a wood near Gelnhausen, 
 partly on the little island in the Kinzig. Reclbeard, while on the 
 hunt, is lost in a grove. In his endeavors to find his way, he comes 
 upon Gela, a beautiful peasant girl, asleep under a tree. Redbeard 
 falls in love with Gela, accompanies her, and finds shelter for the 
 night in her humble cottage. Redbeard then leaves her for a short 
 time, as he says. We are reminded strongly of Egmont and 
 Clarchen. Strange to say Redbeard never returns to Gela, who 
 
 "The dramatis persona are: Kaiser Friedrich der Erste, Barbarossa; 
 Gela; Kaiserin Beatrice; Ritter Gremp von Freudenstein ; Ritter von Sieben- 
 eichen; Ritter von Boyneburg; Pfalzgraf Otto von Wittelsbach; Kanzler 
 Rainald; Erzbischof Hartwich von Regensburg; Erzbischof Christian von 
 Mainz; die Kardinale Roland, Bernhard und Bernarda ; Gpttin Germania. 
 Die Aufztige beginnen : Erster Aufzug im Jahre 1154. Zweiter Aufzug im 
 Jahre 1156. Driter Aufzug im Jahre 1174. Vierter Aufzug im ahre 1180. 
 
 63 Herr Franz Berck of Gelnhausen told the writer that Strubberg while 
 engaged on this his last work, anticipating a great success, exclaimed: "Was 
 wird das aber ein Radau machen !" 
 
138 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 now disappears and never enters the play again. She seems to 
 have been introduced for no other purpose than to motivate Red- 
 beard s building of the castle on the island where Gela s hut 
 stood. 
 
 The play, without much consistency of plot or well-operated 
 conflict, sets forth Barbarossa s difficulties with Herzog von 
 Braunschweig (Heinrich der Loewe) and Herzog von Baben- 
 berg. To appease them Redbeard gave Bavaria to Heinrich der 
 Loewe and the Duchy of Austria to Babenberg. Through Bavaria 
 Heinrich became so powerful that he plotted against Redbeard 
 for the imperial crown and thus endeavored to frustrate Red- 
 beard s attempt to unify Germany. 
 
 Friedrich Barbarossa had failed to create a permanently 
 united Germany. The author now makes use of the Kyffhauser 
 legend. Scene 3 of Act IV shows us a vault underneath the Kyff 
 hauser Burg. In the middle of the vault sits Kaiser Friedrich 
 "vor einem steinernen Tische, mit der goldenen Krone auf dem 
 Haupt und dem Kaisermantel um seine Schultern, in einem ver- 
 goldeten Sessel von rothem Sammt . . . wahrend sein rother 
 Bart bis auf die Erde herabhangt. Da tritt die deutsche Gottin 
 Germania von der rechten Seite langsam und feierlich auf die 
 Biihne und bleibt vor Barbarossa stehen. . . ." 
 
 We are reminded of Clarchen s transfiguration at the close 
 of Goethe s Egmont. Now that Barbarossa s united Germany has 
 at last come to realization under Wilhelm I, Barbarossa s redemp 
 tion is at hand. Germania says to him : "Die Erlosungszeit fur 
 Dich ist nun gekommen, der deutsche Kaiserthron ist fur die 
 Ewigkeit erbaut mit einer eisenfesten Stiitze, stark genug, um 
 eine Welt aus ihren Angeln zu heben." An angel appears and 
 lays a laurel wreath upon his head. Barbarossa lifts his hands, 
 then closes his eyes and sinks into his seat, his arms falling 
 powerless by his side. Barbarossa s long watch is at an end. 
 
 An early comedy by Strubberg, Der Mann ohne Poesie, only 
 in manuscript, is preserved in the library of the Royal Theatre in 
 Cassel, under the nom de plume of Norwald. It was performed 
 once in the Royal Theatre in 1869. 
 
STRUBBERG S RESIDENCE IN GELNHAUSEN 
 
Friedrich Annand Strubberg 139 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 i. A CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF THE EDITIONS OF STRUBBERG S WORKS. 
 
 1858. Amerikanische Jagd- und Reiseabenteuer aus meinem Leben 
 in den ivestlichen Indianergebieten. Mit 24 vom Verfasser nach 
 der Natur entworfenen Skizzen (Holzschn.). Stuttgart, 1858. 
 Cotta. gr. 8. (VI, 460 S.) 
 
 2. durchges. Aufl. gr. 8. (VI, 376 S.) Stuttgart, 1876. 
 
 Cotta. 
 
 3. Aufl. gr. 8. (IV, 505 S. m. i Farbenbild u. 10 Tondr.- 
 
 Bildern.) Stuttgart, 1892. Union. 
 
 4. Aufl. Mit i Farbenbild u. 16 Tondr.-Bildern. gr. 8. 
 
 (IV, 505 S.) Stuttgart, 1901. Union. 
 
 1858. Bis in die Wildniss. 4 Bde. Breslau, 1858. E. Trewendt. 
 8. (4 BL, 312; 3 BL, 343; 3 Bl., 266; 3 Bl., 264 S.) 
 
 2. Aufl. Breslau, 1863. Trewendt. 8. (XXVI, 1140 S.) 
 1859. An der Indianergrenze, oder Treuer Liebe Lohn. 4 Bde. 
 Hannover, 1859. C. Riimpler. 8. (XXIV, 1092 S.) 
 
 2. Ausg. in Armand s ausgezvahlte Romane. i. Abtlg. S. 
 (i. Bd. 408 S. u. 2. Bd. 384 S.) Weimar, 1894. Schrif- 
 tenvertriebsanstalt. 
 i8s9- Alte und neue Heimath. Breslau, 1859. E. Trewendt. 8. 
 
 (VII, 360 S.) 
 1859. Scenen aus den Kampfen der Mexikaner und Nordamerika- 
 
 ner. Breslau. E. Trewendt. 8. (287 S.) 
 1860. Ralph Nonvood. 5 Bde. Hannover. C. Riimpler. 8. 
 
 (XXXVI, 1402 S. u. lith. Portr.) 
 
 1862. Sclaverei in Amerika oder schwarzes Blut. 3 Bde. Hanno 
 ver. C. Riimpler. 8. (VIII, 865 S.) 
 
 [This work, a trilogy on the negro slave, consists of the 
 three novels, Die Quadrone, Die Mulattin, and Die 
 Negerin.] 
 
 2. Ausg. d. Quadrone in Armand s ausgew dhlte Romane. 2. 
 Abtlg. 2. Bd. (79 S.) Berlin, 1895-1896. Schriften- 
 vertriebsanstalt. 
 2. Ausg. d. Mulattin. 8. (224 S.) Berlin, 1897. Schrif- 
 
 tenvertriebsanstalt. 
 
 1863. Carl Scharnhorst. Abenteuer eines deutschen Knaben in 
 Amerika. Mit 6 Bildern in Farbendr. nach Zeichnungen von 
 Aug. Hengst. Hannover. C. Riimpler. 8. (VI, 318 S.) 
 
 2. Aufl. Mit 8 Illustr. (Holzschntaf.) nach Zeichngn. v. 
 E. Forster. gr. 8. (IV, 312 S.) Hannover. C. 
 Riimpler. 1872. 
 
 Dasselbe. Volksausgabe. gr. 8. (IV, 259 S. m. Holz 
 schntaf. Ebend. 1872. 
 
140 Friedrich Armand Strubbcrg 
 
 j. Aufl. Mit 6 Farbendr.-Bildern nach Aquarellen v. Off- 
 
 terdinger. (IV, 268 S.) Kassel, 1887. 
 5. Aufl. M. 6 Buntbild. v. Offterdinger, u. 5 Holzschn. v. 
 Ch. Forster. gr. 8. (272 S.) Leipzig, 1898. Abel u. 
 Miiller. 
 
 6.-8. Aufl. Mit 6 Buntbildern v. Offterdinger u. 5 Holzschn. 
 v. Ch. Forster. gr. 8. (272 S.) Leipzig, 1900-1902. 
 Abel u. Miiller. 
 
 jo. Aufl. Mit 6 Buntbildern v. Offterdinger, u. 4 Holzschn. 
 v. Ch. Forster (272 S.) gr. 8. Leipzig, 1905. Abel u. 
 Miiller. 
 1864. Der Sprung vom Niagarafalle. 4 Bde. Hannover. Schmorl 
 
 und v. Seefeld. 8. (XXIV, 1117 S.) 
 1865. In Mexiko. 4 Bde. Hannover. 8. (XVI, 1013 S.) 
 
 2. Ausg. 8. (341 S.) Berlin, 1898. Schriftenvertriebs- 
 
 anstalt. 
 1866. Saat und Ernie. In Album. Bibliothek deutscher Original- 
 
 Romane. Bde. 9-13. 21. Jahrgang. (934 S.) 
 1867. Aus Armand s Frontierleben. 3 Bde. 
 
 2. Ausg. Hannover, 1868. C. Riimpler. 8. (XXIV, 
 
 753 S.) 
 
 1867. Friedrichsburg, die Colonie des deutschen Fursten-Vereins 
 
 in Texas. 2 Bde. Leipzig. F. Fleischer. 8. (XVII, 469 S.) 
 
 1868. In Siid-Carolina und auf dem Schlachtfelde von Langen- 
 
 salza. 4 Bde. Hannover. C. Riimpler. 8. (12 Bll., 911 S.) 
 1869. Der Mann ohne Poesie. Ein Lustspiel. 
 
 [The ms. of this unpublished play is to be found in the 
 Library of the Royal Theatre in Kassel, under the pen- 
 name of Norwald.] 
 
 1870. Der Krosus von Philadelphia. 4 Bde. Hannover. C. Riimp 
 ler. 8. (10708.) 
 
 2. Ausg. in Armand s ausge^vahUe Romane. 3. Abtlg. 2 
 Bde. (351 u. 326 S.) Weimar, 1895. Verlag der 
 Schri f tenvertriebsanstalt. 
 
 1872. Die Filrstentochter. 3 Bde. 8. (249, 212 u. 203 S.) Han 
 nover. C. Riimpler. 
 
 i%j 2 . Die alte spanische Urkunde. 2 Bde. 8. (275 u. 258 S.) 
 Hannover. C. Rumpler. 
 
 2. Ausg. in Armand s ausgewdhlte Romane. 2. Abtlg. 2 
 Bde. (171 u. 165 S.) Berlin, 1895-1896. Schriften- 
 vertriebsanstalt. 
 
 1873. Der Methodist en-Geistliche. Eine Erz dhlung aus dem ame- 
 rikanischen Leben. In Interessante Gestalten. Bibliothek neuer 
 Romane und Erzahlungen. Bd. 3. Prag. 
 . Zwei Lcbenswege. Mit 4 Illustr. in Farbendr. u. Kartchen 
 (Holzschn.) 8. (2368.) Prag. Verlag der Bohemia. 
 Wohlfeile Ausg. 8. (236 S.) Ebend. 1874. 
 
Fried-rich Arniand Strubberg 141 
 
 1875. Die geraubten Kinder. Eine Erz dhlung aus Texas fiir die 
 Jugend. Mit 4 Bildern in lith. Farbendr. v. H. Biirkner. 8. 
 (IV, 294 S.) Breslau. E. Trewendt. 
 
 1878. Vornehm und Burgerlich. [Vom i. Oktober bis 7. Dezem- 
 ber im Feuilleton der Kref elder Zeitung erschienen.] 
 
 1882. Gustav Adolf. Trauerspiel in 5 Aufziigen. Kassel. Druck 
 von Richard Trommer. 
 
 1883. Der Freigeist. Schauspiel in 3 Aufziigen. gr. 8. (47 S.) 
 Kassel. (Hiihn.) 
 
 1885. Die Quadrone. Schauspiel in 3 Aufziigen, neu fiir die 
 Biihne bearbeitet. gr. 8. (76 S.) Kassel. (Kessler.) 
 
 1886. Leben und Tod des Kaisers Friedrich Barbarossa. Schau 
 spiel in 4 Aufziigen. Hanau. Druck der I. G. Kittsteiner schen 
 Buckdruckerei. 
 
 2. LETTERS. 
 
 [These letters are in the possession of a cousin of the author, 
 Herr Julius Thorbecke, of Firma Thorbecke, Mannheim.] 
 
 Gelnhausen, den 8. April 1887. 
 Verehrter lieber Herr Vetter ! 
 
 Ihr so sehr freundliches Entgegenkommen auf meinen Ihnen 
 ausgesprochnen Wunsch hat mich offen und ehrlich gestanden in 
 dieser Zeit der Selbstsucht und des Eigenutzes recht freudig be- 
 riihrt und spreche ich Ihnen meinen aufrichtigsten Dank fiir die mir 
 dadurch gemachte Freude aus. 
 
 Die Erfiillung meiner Bitte war schon durch die giitige t)ber- 
 sendung der Cigaretten vollstandig vollzogen und hat die Zahlung 
 dafiir gar nichts mehr mit der Erfiillung meiner Bitte zu thun, wes- 
 halb ich Sie nochmals mit den Ersuchen belastigen muss mir den 
 Preis fiir die iibersandte Waare anzugeben damit ich Ihnen den 
 Betrag mit meinem besten Danke iibermachen kann. Zu gleicher 
 Zeit bitte ich Sie nochmals mir von einigen Ihren besten Cigaret 
 ten von wirklichen tiirkischen Tabak zu iibersenden, damit ich zwi- 
 schen durch auch etwas ganz gutes zu rauchen habe. Dagegen hoffe 
 ich, dass es in meiner Macht steht Ihnen die erwiinschte Auskiinfte 
 iiber unsere Familien zu geben, die mit meinem Tode sonst in keines 
 Menschen Besitz mehr sein wiirden. Dabei kann ich wohl behaup- 
 ten, dass nur wenige Familien existieren an welche sich so hochst 
 interessante Nachrichten kniipfen wie an die unserigen. Dahin ge- 
 horen unsere nahen Verwandtschafts-Verhaltnisse zu dem hessischen 
 Fiirstenhause, indem der Vater unserer Urgrossmutter der geborenen 
 Grafin Wilmsdorf-Brevendorf, der Landgraf Friedrich I. von Hes- 
 sen spatere Konig von Schweden war. Darum wandten sich die 
 Kurhessischen Agnaten der jiingere Linie von Hessen Philipsthal 
 an mich urn ihre Rechte an ihren Familien-Fideikommiss im Wer- 
 
142 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 the von cr. 100 Millionen Thaler gegen die preussische Wegnahme 
 in 1866 zu verteidigen. Ich zahlte damals zu einen der ersten Arzte 
 Amerikas, war aber nie in meinem Leben Jurist gewesen. Trotz 
 dieser Einwendung liessen die Agnaten nicht davon ab, mich mit 
 ihren Bitten zu bestiirmen, ihre Rechte gegen Preussen zu verteidi 
 gen, worauf ich endlich mich der schwierigen Aufgabe unterzog 
 und wahrend vierzehn Jahren den Prozess fur dieselben ohne irgend 
 welchen Rechtsbeistand gegen Preussen fiihrte bis im Jahre 1881 
 Preussen die Angelegenheit durch einen Vergleich zu Ende brachte. 
 Ich habe aber nicht nur die Nachweise iiber solche Beziehungen in 
 meinen Handen, ich habe aber auch sehr wertvolle treue, seit Jahr- 
 hunderten in unserer Familie aufbewahrte Olbilder in meinem Be- 
 sitz, welche die Reprasentanten unserer beiden Familien in eisernen 
 Riistungen, in gepuderten Lockenperriicken, in goldgestickter zino- 
 berroter Gallakleidung u. s. w. darstellen, und welche bei Nachfor- 
 schungen iiber Familiengeschichten von sehr grossem Werte sind. 
 Ich glaube, dass es in vorliegenden Fallen fur Sie vom aller grossten 
 Interesse sein wiirde, wenn Sie die wenigen Meilen zu fahren nicht 
 scheuen wollen, um mich hier zu besuchen und die Nachweise iiber 
 unsere Familien von mir personlich entgegen zu nehmen. Fur die- 
 sen Fall bitte ich, mich von Ihrem Beschluss zu benachrichtigen, da- 
 mit ich alles zu Ihrer Instruktion Notige in Bereitschaft zu halten 
 im Stande bin. Sie sind ohne Zweifel ein Nachkomme von meinem 
 Vetter August Thorbecke, welcher in Sachsen-Meiningen eine Ta- 
 bakfabrik besass und mir personlich befreundet war. 
 
 Indem ich meine Bitte noch einmal wiederhole, mir den Betrag 
 meiner Schuld an Sie anzugeben und mir gelegentlich einige kleine 
 Proben von Ihren besten Cigaretten zu iibersenden griisse ich Sie 
 mit aufrichtig verwandschaftlichen Gefiihlen als, 
 
 Ihr treuer Vetter, 
 
 F. A. Strubberg. 
 (Schriftsteller Armand.) 
 
 Ps. Landgraf Friedrich I. von Hessen geb. den 28. April 1676 
 vermahlt mit Prinzess yon Brandenburg, dieselbe starb 1705. Land 
 graf wieder (morganatisch) verehelicht mit der Witwe des hollandi- 
 schen Generals Wilmsdorf-Brevendorf 1717, diese Ehe aufgelost im 
 Jahre 1720 wo der Landgraf sich mit der Konigin von Schweden 
 vermahlte und selbst den schwedischen Thron bestieg. Aus der 
 Ehe des Landgrafen mit der Witwe des Generals von Wilmsdorf 
 entsprang eine Tochter, Anna Amalie (die schone genannt). Diese 
 Tochter des Landgrafen verheiratete sich mit dem Domanenrat zu 
 Cleve Chr. Heinrich Strubberg im Jahre 1741. Dieser Domanenrat 
 Chr. Heinrich Strubberg war der jiingste Sohn des zu Berglohe ge- 
 borenen Johann Rudolph Strubberg, welcher als Untertan in Rhein- 
 berg bei Minden, den 25. April 1736, starb. Ich bemerke Ihnen, 
 dass ich in den Familiennachrichten aus Osnabriick, welche ich 
 Ihnen gleich falls zur Ansicht beilege, mit Rotstift mehrere Andeu- 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 143 
 
 tungen geschrieben habe, unter welchen die auf vorletzter Seite ge- 
 machten Zeichen auch die Familie Thorbecke speziell beriihrt, was 
 Ihnen vielleicht von Interesse sein kann. Wenn ich mich recht ent- 
 sinne, so haben Sie mir friiher auch einmal sich iiber Nachrichten 
 iiber den Kommerzienrat Strubberg bei mir befragt und wenn dem 
 so ist, so will ich Ihnen bemerken, dass dieser Kommerzienrat Strub 
 berg der Vater von Ihrer Grossmutter war, welchen Sie auch in 
 dem Stammbaum aufgefiihrt finden. Sollten Sie nach Durchsicht 
 der beifolgenden Urkunde vielleicht noch Fragen an mich zu stellen 
 haben, so bitte ich, nur dieses zu tun und werde ich nach besten 
 Kraft en Ihre Fragen beantworten. 
 
 Fur heute will ich diesen Bericht schliessen und nun nochmals 
 meine herzlichsten Griisse an Sie und an die lieben Ihrigen hinzu- 
 fiigen. 
 
 Mit treu verwandschaftlichen. [Gefiihlen und aufrichtiger 
 Hochschatzung sehe ich Ihren freundlichen.] Nachrichten weiter 
 entgegen und bleibe. 
 
 Mit aufrichtiger Freudschaft, 
 
 Ihr treuer Vetter, 
 
 F. A. Strubberg. 
 
 Gemhausen, den 27. August 1887. 
 
 Mein geliebter geehrter Vetter ! 
 
 Vergebens habe ich nun seit langerer Zeit auf ein Lebenszeichen 
 von Ihnen gehofft und namentlich versprochenermassen Ihrem per- 
 sonlichen Erscheinen bei mir entgegen gesehen. In beiden Hoff- 
 nungen bin ich aber getauscht worden und wenn mich nicht mein 
 hohes Alter und eine sehr ernste Krankheit zuriickgehalten hatte, 
 so wiirde ich schon langst bei Ihnen gewesen sein, um Sie personlich 
 kennen zu lernen. Da ich nun selbst nicht kommen kann, so sende 
 ich Ihnen inliegend ein Bild von mir, welches vor vier Jahren vor 
 meiner Krankheit gemacht ist und auf welchem mein Barthaar 
 noch schwarz erscheint, wahrend jetzt nach dem langen schweren 
 Leiden, welches ich wahrend meiner Krankheit getragen habe, mein 
 Barthaar den Schnee des Winters angenommen hat, wobei aber das 
 Herz jung geblieben ist. Mit einem Alter von 81 Jahren und mit 
 einer bewegten ungewohnlichen Vergangenheit wie die meinige aber, 
 habe ich keine Ursache zur Klage und wenn mich der Himmel nur 
 vor zu grossen Schmerzen bewahrt, so bin ich schon zufrieden. Nun 
 aber mochte ich doch vor meinem Scheiden aus der Welt, Sie lieben 
 Vetter, als einen meiner nachsten Verwandten personlich kennen 
 lernen, zumal, da Ihr seeliger Herr Vater mir recht befreundet war, 
 wie dieses nun am besten geschehen kann, bin ich nicht im Stande zu 
 beurteilen, und muss dies Ihrem Ermessen allein iiberlassen, wozu 
 ich Sie mit aufrichtiger Innigkeit bitte, bei mir abzusteigen und bei 
 mir zu wohnen, so lange es Ihnen bei mir gefallt. Wir haben sehr 
 viele Familien-Angelegenheiten miteinander zu bereden, wozu ich 
 
144 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 vieles Material in Handen habe, ich Besitze auch unter anderem sehr 
 schone Bilder von Ihrer Grossmutter, sowie von Ihrer Grosstante 
 und Grossonkel, die Sie sehr interessiren werden und die ich Ihnen, 
 wenn Sie es wiinschen, als Familien-Kleinodien gerne zum Anden- 
 ken verehren wiirde. Andere Bilder von grossem Familienwerte, 
 weder ich meinem Vetter, Seiner Excellenz dem General Otto von 
 Strubberg in Berlin, nach meinem Tode iiberlassen. Da er nach 
 mir, unser Familienhaupt sein wird. Unter diesen Bildern befindet 
 sich auch unser altester Ahnherr, der Landgraf Friedrich I. von 
 Hessen, sowie dessen Tochter, die schone Amalie, welche morgana- 
 tisch mit einer Grafin Wilms-Dorf verheiratet war und welche 
 sich mit einem Strubberg verehelichte. Ich bitte nun, mich baldigst 
 wissen zu lassen, ob Sie mich mit Ihrer Bekanntschaft erfreuen 
 wollen und mir die Zeit zu nennen, zu welcher Sie mir diese Freude 
 bereiten wollen. In dieser Hoffnung, die gewiinschte Nachricht von 
 Ihnen recht bald zu erhalten bleibe ich, mit den herzlichsten Ver- 
 wandtschaftsgefiihlen mein lieber Vetter, 
 
 Ihr aufrichtig ergebener, 
 
 F. A. Strubberg. 
 
 Ps. Tonnies Strubberg geb. zu Borglohe im Stifte Osnabriick 
 in der Mitte der Jahre 1500. 
 
 Johann Rudolph Strubberg geb. 1654 zu Borglohe, gest. den 
 25. April 1736 zu Drehtlee bei Ltibbecke, Amtmann des Amtes 
 Rheineberg bei Minden, dessen Frau Anna Eliesabeth Hedwig Strub 
 berg geb. 1666, gest. den 24. Juni 1746 zu.Lingen. Landgraf Frie 
 drich I. von Hessen vermahlte sich in morganatischer Ehe im Jahre 
 1703, wahrend des spanischen Erbfolgekrieges in Holland, mit der 
 Witwe des in der Schlacht bei Hochstadt gebliebenen Generals Gra- 
 fen Wilmsdorff-Brevensdorf. 
 
 Aus dieser Ehe war eine Tochter, die sogenannte schone Anna 
 Amalie, erstanden, welche sich mit dem Konigl. Domanenrat Chris 
 tian Heinrich Strubberg verheirathete, aus welcher Ehe der alteste 
 Sohn Friedrich Rudolph Strubberg, Kommerzienrat in Emmerich, 
 entsprang. Christian Heinrich Strubberg, geb. den 28. Juni 1710, 
 gest. 1795, als Konigl. Domanenrat, dessen Frau Anna Amalie 
 Strubberg, geborene Grafin von Wilmsdorrf-Brevendorf, die Toch 
 ter des Landgraf en Friedrich I. und der Witwe des Generals Graf en 
 Wilmsdorff-Brevendorf, geborene von Michgarius. 
 
 Aus der Ehe des Domanenrats Christian Heinrich Strubberg 
 entsprang der alteste Sohn Friedrich Rudolf, geb. den 9. Marz 1742, 
 gest. den 31. Oktober 1824, als Kommerzienrat in Emmerich, des 
 sen Frau war eine geborene Emilie Cordesse. 
 
 Aus dieser Ehe entsprang der alteste Sohn der Tabakfabrikant 
 in Kassel, Heinrich Friedrich Strubberg, geb. den 6. September 
 1762, gest. den 14. Marz 1843. 
 
 Das zweite Kind, eine Tochter, aus der Ehe, Anna Elisabeth, 
 heiratete Andreas Heinrich Thorbecke. 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 145 
 
 Weitere Kinder aus dieser Ehe waren Jakob Strubberg, geb. den 
 5. August 1730, gest. zu Liibbecke, den 27. Juni 1816, Hauptmann 
 in preussischem Dienste, Adelaide verheiratet mit einem Herrn Clig- 
 nett, Lambert gest. in der hollandischen Colonie Temerarie, Wilhel- 
 mine gest. und verehelicht zu Cassel. 
 
 Gelnhausen, den 12. November 1887. 
 
 Mein verehrter lieber Vetter! 
 
 Da bin ich nun wieder eine lange Zeit mit Ihren vortrefflichen 
 Cigaretten versehen, doch leider fehlt mir noch Ihre Rechnung da- 
 riiber, wodurch Sie mich abermals in Verlegenheit setzen. Die 
 Probe-Cigaretten, die Sie beige ftigt haben, sind wirklich etwas ganz 
 ausgezeichnetes und werde ich Sonntags und wenn ich bei guter 
 Laune bin, mich an denselben laben und Ihrer dabei mit vetterlicher 
 Liebe freundlich gedenken. Nun fehlt mir aber noch immer eine 
 briefliche Nachricht von Ihnen auf die ich mit Spannung warte, um 
 zu erfahren, ob meine Mitteilungen iiber unsere Familien-Angele- 
 genheiten Ihnen von einigem Nutzen gewesen sind. Sollten Sie noch 
 in irgend einer Weise eine Erganzung davon wunschen, so bitte ich, 
 mich die Punkte wissen zu lassen, worauf sich dieser Ihr Wunsch 
 bezieht. Ich bitte auch, in Ihrem nachsten Schreiben mich gefl. wis 
 sen zu lassen, ob Ihnen an dem Besitz der drei Bilder, welche Sie 
 bei mir sahen, etwas gelegen sind, damit ich Ihnen dieselben wohl 
 verpackt zusenden kann. Ich meine namlich: Die drei Bilder von 
 Ihrer Grossmutter Eliesabeth, deren Schwester Minimi und deren 
 Bruder, meinem seligen Vater als Jungling. Das Bild meines seligen 
 Vaters als Jungling hat fur mich kein besonderes Interesse, aber 
 namentlich nicht, fur meine demnachsten Erben, weil ich ein so 
 vortreffliches 5lbild von ihm in seinem kraftigen Mannesalter besitze. 
 
 Lassen Sie mich recht bald etwas von Ihnen horen, empfehlen 
 Sie mich Ihrem Herrn Bruder recht herzlich und seien Sie mit vet 
 terlicher Liebe begrtisst von Ihrem ergebenen Vetter 
 
 F. A. Strubberg. 
 
 Gelnhausen, den 21. November 1887. 
 
 Geehrter lieber Herr Vetter ! 
 
 Herzlichen Dank fur Ihre lieben Zeilen vom 17. ds. Mts. Es 
 hat mich gefreut, von Ihnen zu horen, dass Ihnen der Besitz der drei 
 Familienbilder erfreulich ist und bemerke ich Ihnen, dass Sie ganz 
 recht hatten, wenn Sie die eine Dame mit den Perlen im Haar als 
 Ihre Grossmutter, die Schwester meines Vaters erraten haben. 
 
 Was die Ihnen noch fehlenden Daten an dem Stammbaum be- 
 trifft, so ware es gut, wenn Sie mir bald die Fragen dariiber stellten, 
 
146 Friedrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 indem ich in hohem Alter stehe und sehr leidend bin. Bei dieser 
 Gelegenheit, will ich mir noch erlauben, Sie um Beantwortung 
 einer Frage zu ersuchen, wodurch Sie mich sehr verbinden werden. 
 
 In der Zeit, in welcher ich in dem Prozesse der hessischen Ag- 
 naten fur die Prinzen tatig war, war ich genotigt, zwei sehr bedeu- 
 tende, grosse Olbilder mit grossem Kostenaufwand an mich zu brin- 
 gen, deren Besitz mir nach Beendigung des Prozesses von keinem 
 Wert mehr war. Das eine ist in achter Correggio, das andere, von 
 dem jetzt bedeutendsten Maler Mentzlei in Miinchen, gleichfalls eine 
 Perle und weiss ich nicht, ob ich Ihnen bei Ihrem Hiersein diese bei- 
 den Bilder sehen liess. 
 
 Ich wiinsche nun vor meinem Ende, iiber diese beiden Bilder zu 
 verfiigen und wiirde ich, wenn unsere lieben Verwandten Artaria 
 noch existirten sehr bald diesen meinen Wunsch erfiillt sehen. Da 
 dieses nun aber nicht der Fall ist, so fragen Sie lieber Herr Vetter, 
 welche Kunsthandlung in die Stelle der Artaria getreten ist, damit 
 ich mich an dieselbe zur Erfiillung meines Wunsches wenden kann. 
 Konnen Sie mir in dieser Angelegenheit eine Auskunft erteilen, so 
 werden Sie mich dadurch recht zu Dank verpflichten. Hirer giitigen 
 Antwort entgegensehend, bleibe ich mit aufrichtiger Verehrung 
 Ihr treu ergebener Vetter 
 
 F. A. Strubberg. 
 
 Gelnhausen, den 26. November 1887. 
 
 Verehrter lieber Herr Vetter ! 
 
 Besten Dank fur Ihre gutigen Zeilen vom 24. ds. Mts. Was un- 
 seren Stammbaum anbetriiit, so werde ich ihn morgen noch einmal 
 durchgehen und Ihnen denselben dann nebst meinen Bemerkungen 
 zur Durchsicht iibersenden. Was nun meine Frage iiber die Fa- 
 milie Artaria anbetrifft, so hatte dieselbe folgendes Interesse fur 
 mich. Ich weiss nicht, ob es Ihnen bekannt geworden ist, dass ich 
 in dem Prozesse der hessischen Agnaten gegen den preussischen 
 Phiskus tatig gewesen bin, in welchen Arbeiten es damals von Wich- 
 tigkeit war, emige sehr wertvolle Olbilder in meinen Besitz zu be- 
 kommen, was mir auch gelang. Das eine der Bilder reprasentiert 
 die Jo im Bade mit Jupiter als Wolke von Correggio ein sehr wert- 
 volles Bild. Das andere Bild : Die erwachende Liebe als eine Venus 
 mit Amor spielend, von dem jetzt in Miinchen lebenden Meister 
 Herrn Mentzlei, einem der ersten dortigen Maler. Beide Bilder 
 sind sehr wertvoll, doch habe ich seit Beendigung des Prozesses kein 
 Interesse mehr an dem Besitz derselben, und wiinsche, sie an eine 
 wiirdige Kunsthandlung zu verkaufen. Wahrend meiner Tatigkeit 
 in jenem Prozesse erinnere ich mich, dass ein Karl Fr. Fleischer in 
 Leipzig sehr viel mit unseren Freunden Artaria arbeitete, wer aber 
 das Geschaft derselben iibernommen hat, ist mir nicht bekannt. Ich 
 
Fried-rich Arniand Strubberg 147 
 
 erinnere mich nicht, ob ich Ihnen bei Ihrem lieben Besuche, hier, die 
 beiden Bilder gezeigt habe oder nicht. 
 
 Morgen also gehe ich an die Revision des Stammbaumes, und 
 schicke Ihnen denselben dann ein. Mit meinen herzlichsten Griissen 
 an Sie und Ihren lieben Bruder, sowie unbekannter Weise an Ihre 
 Frau Gemahlin bleibe ich 
 
 Mit aufrichtigster Freundschaft 
 
 Ihr treu ergebener 
 
 F. A, Strubberg. 
 
 Gelnhausen, den 3. Dezember 1887. 
 
 Verehrter lieber Herr Vetter ! 
 
 Soeben empfing ich Ihre lieben Zeilen vom I. ds. Mts. und sage 
 Ihnen meinen besten Dank dafiir. 
 
 Dass das Osnabriicker Heft fur Sie ein grosses Interesse hat, 
 habe ich bei dem erblicken Ihres Namens bemerkt, doch ein eben- 
 sogrosses Interesse hat dasselbe fur Strubberg, indem in demselben 
 die Heirat eines Strubberg mit der Anna Amalie, Grafin von Wilms- 
 dorf ausdrikklich geschrieben steht, und diese Amalie, die soge- 
 nannte schone Amalie, die Tochter der Witwe des Generals Grafen 
 von Wilmsdorf-Brevendorf ist, welche in morganatischer Ehe mit 
 dem Landgrafen Friedrich I. von Hessen verheiratet war. Diese 
 schone Amalie, Grafin von Wilmsdorf-Brevensdorf verlebte Ihr 
 Alter bei dem Vater von Ihrer Grossmutter des Kommerzienrats 
 Strubberg und hiess in der Familie die Oje-Prinzess, von welcher 
 eine Menge Juwelen mit hessischen Emblemen der Familie Strub 
 berg hinterliess und von welchen meine Schwester noch eine grosse 
 Zahl bessessen hat. Die Kinder des Kommerzienrats Strubberg 
 wurden regelmassig am Sonntagmorgen zu der alten Prinzessin ge- 
 fiihrt und bei ihr zum Handkuss zugelassen. Die beiden schonen 
 Olbilder der Amalie, welche Sie bei mir gesehen haben, sind ein paar 
 Meisterwerke erster Art. Was nun das Heftchen von Osnabriick 
 betrifft, so werde ich Ihnen dasselbe, wie Sie es wiinschen verma- 
 chen, wahrend ich dasselbe bis zu meinem Ende selbst in meinem 
 Besitz behalten werde. Wegen der beiden Bilder, die Sie auch bei 
 mir sahen, und welche sich nur fur eine Gallerie eignen, werde ich 
 Ihnen recht dankbar sein, wenn Sie mir einen Kunsthandler zusenden 
 wollten, weil ich dieselben noch vor meinem Tode verkaufen will. 
 
 Sie sagen, Sie kennen leider die Berliner nicht von denen ich 
 gesprochen hatte, ich erinnere mich aber dieser Unterhaltung nicht 
 und bitte sie, mir weiteres dariiber zu sagen. 
 
 Ihren weiteren Mitteilungen gerne entgegensehend, bleibe ich 
 mit herzlichen Griissen, 
 
 Ihr treuer aufrichtiger Vetter 
 
 F. A. Strubberg. 
 
148 Frledrich Armand Strubberg 
 
 3. Two EPISODES. 
 
 [The following narrative is taken from W. Bennecke s article 
 Aus Armand s Leben in Nrs. 9 and ip of Hessenland, Kassel, May, 
 1889. It speaks of Strubberg s relations with Louis Napoleon and 
 with the poet Heine. His relations with the latter are to the knowl 
 edge of the writer to be found in no Heine literature and may there 
 fore be of special interest.] 
 
 "Ich lernte Armand im Jahre 1866 kennen und der erste Abend, 
 welchen ich mit ihm in einer Theegesellschaft verbrachte, wird mir 
 unvergesslich sein, da er bei vortrefflicher Laune war und seinem 
 Erzahlertalent die Ziigel schiessen Hess. Er sprach, wie man zu 
 sagen pflegt, frei von der Leber, seine Rede mit lebhaftem Mienen- 
 spiel und Gestikulationen begleitend, dabei die ungeheuerlichsten Be- 
 gebenheiten mit der grossten Kaltbliitigkeit bis ins Detail ausmalend. 
 Es war trotzdem aber ein Vergniigen, ihm zuzuhoren, denn der 
 Zweifel, der hin und wieder an der Thatsachlichkeit des Mitgetheil- 
 ten auftauchen konnte, kam bei der virtuosen Manier, mit welcher 
 Armand seine Erzahlungen zur Geltung brachte, nur wenig in Be- 
 tracht. "Mit Louis Napoleon/ so erzahlte er u. A., "war ich eng 
 befreundet, er liebte mich, obgleich ich ihn in Amerika einmal als 
 Schnelllaufer geschlagen hatte. Als ich in den fiinfziger Jahren auf 
 meiner Reise nach Deutschland durch Paris kam, empfand ich grosse 
 Lust, den alten Filou in den Tuilerien zu besuchen, aber verschie- 
 dene Umstande hinderten mich daran. Dennoch sollte ich ihn zu 
 Gesicht bekommen, und auch die Kaiserin, die schone Eugenie, die 
 ich bis dahin noch nicht kannte. Eines Tages befinde ich mich nam- 
 lich in den Elysaischen Feldern, als es plotzlich heisst: Der Kaiser 
 kommt! Auch die Kaiserin? frage ich. Auch die Kaiserin! ent- 
 gegnet man mir. Ich drange mich vor und stehe bald in der ersten 
 Reihe des Spaliers, welches von den Spaziergangern gebildet wird. 
 Der Wagen mit dem kaiserlichen Paare rollt heran, aber, o wehe, 
 die Kaiserin sass auf der mir entgegengesetzten Seite, und da sie 
 unablassig zur Chaise hinausgriisste, so ware es mir unmoglich gewe- 
 sen ihr Gesicht genau sehen zu konnen, wenn Napoleon mich nicht, 
 als ich den Hut abnahm, bemerkt und zu ihr ganz laut gesagt hatte : 
 Siehe, da steht Strubberg! Darauf hin wandte sie sich herum und 
 ich sah, indem beide mich freundlichst griissten, ihr pikantes Ge 
 sicht, voll spanischer Grazie. 
 
 "Wahrend meines damaligen Aufenthaltes in Paris," fuhr Ar 
 mand fort, "fand ich am Schaufenster eines Buchladens Heine s 
 Romanzero ausgestellt; da ich dieses Werk meines Jugendfreundes 
 noch nicht kannte, trat ich ein und kaufte es. Nun, sagte ich zu dem 
 Verkaufer, der arme Heine ist also endlich seinen Leiden erlegen, 
 denn ich hatte in einer brasilianischen Zeitung gelesen, dass er in 
 einem italienischen Irrenhause gestorben sei aber nein, sagte der 
 Buchhandler, Herr Heine lebt noch, zwar sehr elend, aber noch bei 
 
Friedrich Armand Strubberg 149 
 
 vollem Verstand. Wo wohnt er? Rue d Amsterdam, Numero so 
 und soviel ! Ich springe hinaus, nehme mir gar nicht die Zeit, erst 
 in einen Fiacre zu steigen und laufe, was giebst du, was hast du, in 
 die Rue d Amsterdam, Nummer so und soviel, vier oder fiinf Trep- 
 pen hinauf, bis ich vor seiner Stubenthiire stehe. Ich schelle, ein 
 Weib tritt mir entgegen, schon wie der Morgen, die himmlische Ma- 
 thilde. 1st Heine zu sprechen? frage ich sie. Ich bedauere, erwi- 
 dert sie, Henry nimmt keine Besuche mehr an. Mich aber wird er 
 annehmen! rufe ich. Mich, seinen besten Freund! Sagen Sie ihm 
 nur, dass Strubberg da ist! Aber da, na, da hatten Sie ihn horen 
 sollen? Rein mit dem Strubberg! schrie er aus dem Nebenzimmer, 
 rein mit dem Strubberg ! als ob er geradezu toll geworden ware. Die 
 alte, Hebe Stimme war es noch, ich stiirzte in seine Kammer und 
 wiinschte lieber, dass ich draussen geblieben ware, denn was musste 
 ich sehen? Auf einem Bette lag ein Ding, das wie ein Zwerg aus- 
 sah, wie ein Gnom, ganz zusammengeschrumpft, mit einem dicken 
 Kopf und rothen Haaren. Das war mein Freund Heine mit sei 
 nen durchsichtigen Fingern schlug er sich eines der geschlossenen 
 Augenlider in die Hohe, sah mich an und stohnte : Ja, du bist es, alter 
 Junge! und dann: Champagner, Mathide! Nun sollen die lustigen 
 Tage, die wir in Gottingen und Kassel und Hamburg verlebt, wie- 
 der neu emportauchen ! Weisst Du noch, "da sass ich armer Jiingling 
 zu Kassel auf der Wache" ! Mir wurde es dabei ganz narrisch zu 
 Muthe, denn nun ging das liebe Leben wieder los und ausser der 
 Stimme war an dem lieben, alten Burschen, den ich wegen seiner 
 gottlosen Denkungsart vor vierzig Jahren so manchmal durchge- 
 rammelt hatte, absolut nichts mehr iibrig geblieben!" So erzahlte 
 Armand, unstreitig in der amiisantesten Weise Wahrheit und Dich- 
 tung untereinander mischend, sodass man ihm Stunden lang zuhoren 
 konnte. Beziiglich seiner Behauptung, Heine, welcher von Gottin 
 gen aus in seinem Strubbergs vaterlichen Hause in Kassel haufig 
 verkehrt, wegen seiner irreligiosen Ansichten durchgepriigelt zu ha- 
 ben, sei erwahnt, dass Armand oftmals seinen christlichen Stand- 
 punkt betonte und darin soweit ging, dass er zu Anfang der 8oer 
 Jahre ernstlich den Gedanken aussprach, eine Eingabe an- den 
 Reichstag zu machen, in welcher er Protest gegen verschiedene Mit- 
 glieder desselben erheben wollte, da dieselben notorische Atheisten 
 seien und aus diesem Grunde nicht in die Volksvertretung eines 
 christlichen Staates gehorten. 
 
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