LIMITED TO ONE THOUSAND SETS. Copyright, 1902 Preface to the Third Edition SINCE the last edition of this work was published, many volumes have appeared which it was necessary for me to go through, and from which I have gathered numerous fresh details of interest, though nothing that alters the main outlines of my narrative. Among the new works there have been two regular biographies. The one by M. Mézières, entitled "W. Goethe, Ses œuvres expliquées par sa vie" (2 vols. Paris, 1872-3), is a barefaced reproduction of my work, with little added except the writer's own remarks, and an occasional extract from some French book. Yet while thus appropriating my labours, M. Mézières abstains from even the slightest indication of his indebtedness. When he borrows a passage from a French writer he is careful to avow it; he borrows my whole book, and ignores it. The only time he refers to me, is in a note on the Weimar theatricals. Nay, so careful is he to avoid acknowledgment, that having in one place to put forward a somewhat different view of the Frau von Stein from that which he finds in my pages, he attributes the opinion he combats to Carlyle, who has never printed a line on the subject. Yet it is on the strength of such performances that M. Mézières presents himself as a candidate for a seat in the French Academy — and is admitted. Very different is the other biography, "Goethe's Leben und Schriften, von Karl Gödeke" (1 vol. 1874), a compact compilation by one thoroughly conversant with the original sources. The Priory, August, 1875. Preface to the Second Edition THERE was, perhaps, some temerity in attempting a "Life of Goethe" at a time when no German author had undertaken the task; but the reception which my work has met with, even after the appearance of the biographies by Viehoff and Schäfer, is a justification of the temerity. The sale of thirteen thousand copies in England and Germany, and the sympathy generously expressed, not unmingled, it is true, with adverse and even angry criticism, are assurances that my labours were not wholly misdirected, however far they may have fallen short of their aim. For the expressions of sympathy, public and private, I cannot but be grateful; and I have done my best to profit by criticism even when it was most hostile. I wish to make special mention of the assistance tendered me by the late Mr. Franz Demmler. Although a stranger to me, this accomplished student of Goethe kindly volunteered, amid many and pressing avocations, to re-read my book with the express purpose of annotating it; and he sent me several sheets of notes and objections, all displaying the vigour of his mind, and the variety of his reading. Some of these I was glad to use; and even those which I could not agree with or adopt, were always carefully considered. On certain points our opinions were diametrically opposed; but it was always an advantage to me to read criticisms so frank and acute. The present edition is altered in form and in substance. It has been rewritten in parts, with a view not only of introducing all the new material which |