nceded in the poet's own country.
The Byronic character, however, presents a far nobler aspect in the hands
of the present author than in those of its original creator; for, instead
of being the outcome of a mere morbid self-concentration, and brooding
over personal wrongs, it is the result of a noble indignation for the
sufferings of others, and is conjoined with a high purpose for good, even
though such good be worked out by means in themselves doubtful or
questionable.

We cannot pass by the subject without saying a word as to the undercurrent
of political meaning in "Konrad Wallenrod," which fortunately escaped the
rigid censorship of the Russian press. Lithuania, conquered and oppressed
by the Teutonic Order, is Poland, subjugated by Russia; and the numerous
expressions of hatred for oppressors and love of an unhappy country woven
into the substance of the narrative must be read as the utterances of a
Pole against Russian tyranny. The underhand machinations of the concealed
enemy against the state in which he is a powerful leader, may be held to
figure that intricate web of intrigue and conspiracy which Russian
liberalism is gradually weaving throughout the whole political system, and
which is daily gaining influence and power. The character of Wallenrod is
essentially the same as that of Cooper's "Spy;" but we cannot suppose that
the author intended to hold up trickery and deceit as praiseworthy and
honourable, even though it is the sad necessity of slaves to use treachery
as their only weapon; or that the Macchiavellian precept with which the
story is headed is at all intended as one to be generally followed by
seekers of political liberty against despotism. The end and aim of this,
as of all the works of Mickiewicz, is to show us a great and noble soul,
noble in spite of many errors and vices, striving to work out a high
ideal, and the fulfilment of a noble purpose; and to exhibit the heroism
of renunciation of personal ease and enjoyment for the sake of the world's
or a nation's good.

In regard to the method used in the English version, it is only necessary
to add that as far as possible verbal accuracy in rendering has been
endeavoured after; and an attempt, at least conscientious--whether or not
partially successful must be left to the sentence of those qualified to
form an opinion--has been made to reproduce as nearly as may be something
of the original spirit In translating the main body of the narrative b