indeed own even to himself, that there was this difference between the days of courtship and the days of marriage; but he felt a certain difpleasure at the marked attentions of Werter. It was an infringement of his right, and a kind of tacit reproof. This idea increased the diffatisfaction he felt from business that was continually accumulating, that was full of difficulties, and for which he was but indifferently paid. The grief which preyed on Werter's heart had exhausted the strength of his genius; he had loft his vivacity,

and his quick perceptions; in fociety he appeared joyless and flat.

This difpofition had of course an influence upon Charlotte, who faw him every day; and fhe fell into a fort of melancholy; which Albert attributed to the progress of her attachment to her lover, and Werter to the deep concern fhe felt for the alteration in Albert's conduct towards her. The want of confidence in these two friends made their fociety irkfome to each other. Albert avoided going to his wife's apartment when Werter was there; and Werter who perceived it, after fome fruitless efforts to defift, took thofe opportunities to fee her, when he knew Albert was engaged. Discontent

till at length Albert very drily told his wife, that were it for the fake of appearance only, fhe fhould behave differently to Werter, and not fee him so often. About the fame time, this unfortunate young man was confirmed in his resolution to quit this world. It had long been his most favourite thought, and particularly fince his return to the neighbourhood of Charlotte. He had always encouraged it, but he would not commit fuch an action with precipitation and rafhnefs; he was determined to take this ftep like a man who knows what he is doing, is re

folved and firm, but calm and tranquil. His doubts and struggles may be seen by the following fragment, which was found without any date amongst his papers, and which appears to have been the beginning of a letter to his friend.]

-Hér prefence, her fate, the interest she shews for mine, have power ftill to draw fome tears from my withered brain!

One lifts up the curtain; one paffes to the other fide-that is all! -And why all these delays? why all thefe fears?-Because we know not

because there is no

what is behind

VOL. II.

I

returning

returning and we fuppofe that all is darkness and confufion where there is uncertainty.

[His mortification when he was fecretary to the ambaffador, was never effaced from his memory. Whenever he mentioned it, which did not often happen, it was easy to perceive that he thought his honour irrecoverably wounded by that adventure; and it gave him a diftafte for public affairs, and all political bufinefs. He then gave way entirely to thofe fingular opinions and fentiments which are to be met with in these letters; and to a paffion.