The title of this book, in the German, is "Der Roman der Stiftsdame," _stiftsdame_ being rendered in this version _canoness_. It is desirable to explain that _stiftsdame_ is the name given to a female member of certain religious communities or orders, originally Roman Catholic, the members of which lived in common but without taking monastic vows. After the Reformation, Protestant houses of a similar kind were organized. The privileges of these communities are often secured by noblemen for their daughters, who may at any subsequent period enter the stift or chapter of the order, but who forfeit this right in case of marriage. In June, 1864, a visit I had promised to pay one of the friends o…
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