England since then has given and is giving many gratifying proofs of her sincere desire for peace, and her readiness to submit her claims to peaceful arbitration. Is it too much to hope that we may see our country joining in some well-considered scheme for general treaties of Arbitration and for the institution of an International Court? And may we not hope that our influence, as that of a nation not implicated in the mad race of armaments, and yet not removed from the area of European war, may avail to bring the question of disarmament before an International Conference and thus introduce the twentieth century into a world in which there will be some brighter prospect than that
War shall endless war still breed?
Let as trust that this may not be found quite an idle dream, and that we may without self-delusion look forward to a more happy era, and join the cry of Baroness Suttner’s Rudolf—“Es lebe die Zukunft”.
Hail to the Future!
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
THE rapid sale of the first edition of this translation has encouraged the Association at whose request it was made to endeavour to make it more widely known to the various English-speaking populations, by printing a larger edition at a lower price. It is hoped, also, that the enlarged circulation of a work so graphic, and written by one who has so thoroughly studied the real aspects of war, as seen by those on the spot, may lead not so much to sentimental emotions and vague protests, as to a business-like discussion of the means by which the resort to war may be at any rate rendered more and more infrequent. The English Government has lately given repeated and practical proofs of its sincere desire to substitute the peaceful and rational method of arbitration for the rough, cruel, and uncertain decision of force; and the conspicuous success of that method hitherto—though tried under circumstances not altogether favourable—must have prepared thinking men for the question: “Why cannot some scheme for the formation of an International Tribunal of Arbitration be formed and debated among the Powers who, by taking part in the Congress at Paris after the Crimean War, formally admitted the principle, and who have already seen it successfully applied in practice”? To this question, which has been frequently asked, no satisfactory answer has yet been given, nor to the further question why our Government should not introduce the subject to the great Powers, after showing so unmistakably its adherence to the principle. People differ, and, probably, will always differ, as to the light in which they regard war. A very small and rapidly diminishing minority regard it as a good thing in itself—most as an evil which in our present stage of civilisation cannot always be avoided; some as a crime formally prohibited by the moral law and the Christian religion. All of the two latter classes ought to join in any practical steps for diminishing the occasions of war; and of these the one which is most within the scope of politicians is the promotion of International Arbitration. The Association to which I belong has published this work in the confident hope that its circulation will aid in hastening this much-needed reform.
THE TRANSLATOR.
CONTENTS.
| [CHAPTER I.] | |
|---|---|
| PAGE | |
Girlish days. My first marriage and birth of my first child. Myhusband summoned to the Italian war of 1859 | [1] |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
Period of war. A wife’s anxieties. Terrible news | [18] |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
Years of widowhood. Re-entry into society. Introduction to BaronTilling. Manner of my husband’s death | [40] |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
Progress of my friendship for Tilling. His mother’s death. Growthof love | [59] |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
Doubts and fears. Engagement to Tilling | [84] |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
Marriage and garrison life. Outbreak of the Schleswig-Holsteinwar. History of its causes | [116] |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
My husband ordered off to the war. Premature confinement anddeadly peril. Letters from the seat of war | [141] |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
Re-union. Financial ruin | [164] |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
Approach of the Austro-Prussian war. The preliminaries to it.War declared | [187] |
| [CHAPTER X.] | |
Early period of the war | [215] |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
War-sketches by a soldier who abhors war | [231] |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
After Königgrätz. My experiences in a journey over the Bohemianbattlefields in search of my husband | [245] |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] | |
Prussian advance on Vienna. Life at Grumitz | [283] |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] | |
Festivities at Grumitz, followed by an outbreak of cholera whichsweeps off nearly the whole family | [303] |
| [CHAPTER XV.] | |
Period of mourning. Discussion with a military chaplain. Deathof Aunt Mary | [327] |
| [CHAPTER XVI.] | |
Threat of war between France and Prussia. Arbitration. Life inParis during the exhibition of 1868 and afterwards in 1870.Birth of a daughter | [356] |
| [CHAPTER XVII.] | |
Approach of war between France and Prussia. We linger in Paris.War breaks out | [380] |
| [CHAPTER XVIII.] | |
The Franco-German war. Departure from Paris prevented byillness. Siege of Paris. My husband shot by the Communards | [396] |
| [CHAPTER XIX.] | |
The end. “Hail to the future!” | [420] |