A
curious trait in the German character is petty vindictiveness. A
certain Herr Behrens had signed a contract as principal bass with
the Brunswick management. Getting a far more lucrative offer from
Vienna, the prudent Behrens had paid a fine, and thrown over the
Brunswick theatre. For eighteen months the unfortunate man was
pilloried every night on the theatre programmes. Every play-bill
had printed on it in large letters, "Kontrakt-bruchig Herr
Behrens," never allowing the audience to forget that poor Behrens
was a convicted "contract-breaker."
Half Brunswick went to the theatre every night of its life. The
ladies made no pretence of elaborate toilets, but contented
themselves with putting two tacks into the necks of their day
gowns so as to make a V-shaped opening. (With present fashions
this would not be necessary.) Over this they placed one of those
appalling little arrangements of imitation lace and blue or pink
bows, to be seen in the shop windows of every German town, and
known, I think, as Theater-Garnitures. They then drew on a pair of
dark plum-coloured gloves, and their toilet was complete.
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