olitical or social, it exhibits,
nevertheless, more strikingly than any other I know, some highly
important social facts, which are more generally felt than understood.
It reveals a state of the relations of the higher and of the middle
classes of society, in the eastern provinces of Prussia and the adjacent
German and Slavonic countries, which are evidently connected with a
general social movement proceeding from irresistible realities, and, in
the main, independent of local circumstances and of political events. A
few explanatory words might certainly assist the English reader in
appreciating the truth and impartiality of the picture of reality
exhibited in this novel, and thus considerably enhance the enjoyment of
its poetical beauties, which speak for themselves.

At the same time, I thought that many other persons might explain this
much better than I, who am besides, and have been ever since I left
England, exclusively engaged in studies and compositions of a different
character. As, however, you thought the English public would like to
read what I might have to say on the subject, and that some observations
on the book in general, and on the circumstances alluded to in
particular, would prove a good means of introducing the author and his
work to your countrymen, I gladly engaged to employ a time of recreation
in one of our German baths in writing a few pages on the subject, to be
ready by the 1st of August. I was the more encouraged to do so when,
early in July, you communicated to me the proof-sheets of the first
volume of a translation, which I found not only to be faithful in an
eminent degree, but also to rival successfully the spirited tone and
classical style for which the German original is justly and universally
admired.

I began, accordingly, on the 15th July, to write the Introductory
Remarks desired by you, when circumstances occurred over which I had no
control, and neither leisure nor strength could be found for a literary
composition.

Now that I have regained both, I have thought it advisable to let you
have the best I can offer you in the shortest time possible, and
therefore send you a short Memoir on the subject, written in German,
placing it wholly at your disposal, and leaving it entirely to you to
give it either in part or in its totality to the English public, as may
seem best adapted to the occasion.

I shall be glad to hear of the success of your Translation, and remain,
with sincere