Nell in Bridewell - Part 9 - Forward

 

In this post, we will provide both the original German and my translation into English of the Forward to Lenchen im Zuchthause written by the book's author, Wilhelm Reinhard.  Now, the Forward was the very first thing one would encounter in this book published in 1840. Curiously enough, this Forward was NOT included in any subsequent German reprints nor in any of the English translations. (Images above are complements of Sir Henry.)

Forward to Lenchen im Zuchthause

So, why was this Forward omitted?  Was it simply an oversight or was it intentional?

I guess we'll never really know.  Nevertheless, I can't help, but speculate.  In my view, publishers are very serious people and driven by a desire to make money.  So, it's quite possible the publishers felt Reinhard's Forward would not aid in selling books.

Indeed, his Forward even includes a warning to mothers that they shouldn't let their daughters read!  

Now, a disclaimer like that in 1840 might actually help sell books!  Much later, however, such a notice just might get the attention of government censors.  Thus, the value of this disclaimer (in terms of selling books) could be time dependent!

Another thing that came to me is the second paragraph is a bit "nerdy".  It somewhat implies that this work could be a serious treatise on penitentiary systems. Lenchen im Zuchthause is clearly not such a work, but possibly the publishers just wanted to avoid any confusion.

In any event for the first time since the 1840 publication, below you can read a translation of Wilhelm Reinhard's Forward to Lenchen im Zuchthause:

Forward

The title of this book insulates me from any reproach. Anyone, who attempts to portray life in a penitentiary, renounces in advance what is pleasant, exhilarating, enjoyable, and instead, permit and excuse many things that are banned from discourse in refined society.

From reminiscences, tradition, reading and the diverse, and yet unsatisfactory debates over the penitentiary systems in the New World, the idea grabbed me, held me, pulled me away and never let me go until I completed what I am offering here. But immediately and relentlessly I suffered because of this work, for I kept wondering: who would want to read such stuff?

One thing in particular scares me. Many things are not discussed out in the open, but sometimes, in order to order to advance our understanding, it is necessary to touch upon such delicate subjects. I am referring to flagellation, which almost seduced our noble Nell, and is chiefly to blame for the fact that the castigation scenes, which very often revolted me to the point of condemning the book, are so many and are depicted in such great detail.

I remember reading on the covers of French books:  Mothers do not give to your daughters. Hopefully, in our dear Germany the requirement still applies that parents monitor their children's reading.

And now go, poor little Nell, and tell your story. You have had harsh, bitter days, severe suffering, but your higher soul has risen above the adverse aspects of earthly fate, and your reward has been the most beautiful lot of mortals: the Happiness that comes from Love.

The author

Just five short paragraphs, but I find quite interesting, nonetheless.  

Next, for our viewers, who prefer German, here is the original text:

Vorwort.

Der Titel dieses Buches sichert mich gegen einen Vorwurf. Wer sich zu Lebensbildern eines Zuchthauses wendet, verzichtet im Voraus auf Angenehmes, Erheiterndes, Erfreuliches, und muss wohl auch Manches zulassen und entschuldigen, was aus dem Tone feinerer Gesellschaft verbannt ist.

Aus Reminiscenzen, Tradition, Lectüre und der vielfältigen, und doch noch nicht befriedigenden Verhandlung über Pönitentiarsysteme der neuen Welt hat mich die Idee ergriffen, festgehalten, fortgezogen und nicht mehr entlassen, bis das vollbracht war, was ich hier anbiete. Aber fast unaufhörlich litt ich unter meinem Stoffe, denn stets frug ich: wer wird solches Zeug wohl lesen wollen ?

Eines insonderheit macht mir bange. Viele Dinge sind, ungeachtet nicht davon gesprochen wird, und zuweilen muss man, um nützlich zu sein, gerade solche zarte Saiten berühren. Ich meine den Flagellantismus, der selbst das edle Lenchen verführen wollte, und welcher hauptsächlich die Schuld trägt, dass der Castigationsscenen, die sehr oft mich selbst bis zur Verurtheilung des Buches verletzen, so viele und in allen ihren Einzelheiten ausgemalte geworden sind.

 Ich erinnere mich, auf Titelblättern französischer Bücher gelesen zu haben: La mère ne le donnera pas à sa fille. In unserm lieben Deutschland gilt hoffentlich noch die Voraussetzung, dass Eltern die Lectüre ihrer Kinder überwachen.

Und nun gehe hin, armes Lenchen, und erzähle Deine Schicksale. Du hast herbe, bittere Tage, schwere Leiden gehabt, aber Deine höhere Seele stimmte sich über die widrigen Anklänge irdischen Geschicks, und Dein Lohn war das schönste Loos des Sterblichen: Glück der Liebe.

Der Verfasser.

For those fluent in German, if you feel there is a better or more accurate translation, please let me know.