PREFACE то тн Е LONDON EDITION. THOSE who expect a Novel will be difappointed in this work, which contains few characters and few events; and the defign of which is to exhibit a picture of that difordered state of mind, too common in our own country. It is drawn by the masterly band of Mr. Goethe*, and is perhaps little more than the relation of a fact which happened within his knowledge. It went through feveral editions in German, and foon made its way into France. About two years fince Doctor of Civil Law, and Author of fome dra matic pieces which are much esteemed. the English tranflator met with it; and being ftruck. with the uncommon genius and originality of the thoughts, and the energy with which they are expressed, tranflated fome of the letters from the French; and led on by the beauty of the work, which encreafed in proportion as it was attended to, the whole was infenfibly finished; and as no tranflation from the German has hitherto appeared, it is now offered to the Public. Among the number of pamphlets which this little work gave occafion to, there were not wanting fome which cenfured it; and Mr. Goethe has been called the apologift of Suicide by thofe who, not diftinguishing the Author from the Work, very abfurdly afcribed to him the erroneous fentiments which he has given to |