Preface

of the German Translator.

As little as I am a lover of prefaces myself—so much so that I impatiently skip many of them, especially when they take up a third of the book's length—for only too often are they the most indiscreet test of the reader's patience. They often contain nothing but hollow excuses, bitter attacks against criticsoriginal: "Recensenten" or a rival, and the impertinencesoriginal: "Sotisen," from the French "sottise," meaning foolish or rude remarks. of an ill-mannered fellow directed at the public. Yet, I cannot do without this "necessary evil" myself, at least for this once.

However unimportant and superfluous a preface may be for the reader, it is just as indispens-

[Decorative Element: A floral typographic headpiece with symmetrical flower and vine motifs, typical of late 18th-century book design.]