IhavecarefullycollectedwhateverIhavebeenabletolearnofthestoryofpoorWerther,andherepresentittoyou,knowingthatyouwillthankmeforit.Tohisspiritandcharacteryoucannotrefuseyouradmirationandlove:tohisfateyouwillnotdenyyourtears.
　　Andthou,goodsoul,whosufferestthesamedistressasheenduredonce,drawcomfortfromhissorrows;andletthislittlebookbethyfriend,if,owingtofortuneorthroughthineownfault,thoucanstnotfindadearercompanion.
　　BOOKI
　　MAY4.
　　HowhappyIamthatIamgone!Mydearfriend,whatathingistheheartofman!Toleaveyou,fromwhomIhavebeeninseparable,whomIlovesodearly,andyettofeelhappy!Iknowyouwillforgiveme.Havenototherattachmentsbeenspeciallyappointedbyfatetotormentaheadlikemine?PoorLeonora!andyetIwasnottoblame.Wasitmyfault,that,whilstthepeculiarcharmsofhersisteraffordedmeanagreeableentertainment,apassionformewasengenderedinherfeebleheart?AndyetamIwhollyblameless?DidInotencourageheremotions?DidInotfeelcharmedatthosetrulygenuineexpressionsofnature,which,thoughbutlittlemirthfulinreality,sooftenamusedus?
　　DidInot——butoh!whatisman,thathedaressotoaccusehimself?MydearfriendIpromiseyouIwillimprove;Iwillnolonger,ashaseverbeenmyhabit,continuetoruminateoneverypettyvexationwhichfortunemaydispense;Iwillenjoythepresent,andthepastshallbeformethepast.Nodoubtyouareright,mybestoffriends,therewouldbefarlesssufferingamongstmankind,ifmen——andGodknowswhytheyaresofashioned——didnotemploytheirimaginationssoassiduouslyinrecallingthememoryofpastsorrow,insteadofbearingtheirpresentlotwithequanimity.BekindenoughtoinformmymotherthatIshallattendtoherbusinesstothebestofmyability,andshallgivehertheearliestinformationaboutit.
　　Ihaveseenmyaunt,andfindthatsheisveryfarfrombeingthedisagreeablepersonourfriendsallegehertobe.Sheisalively,cheerfulwoman,withthebestofhearts.Iexplainedtohermymother'swrongswithregardtothatpartofherportionwhichhasbeenwithheldfromher.Shetoldmethemotivesandreasonsofherownconduct,andthetermsonwhichsheiswillingtogiveupthewhole,andtodomorethanwehaveasked.Inshort,Icannotwritefurtheruponthissubjectatpresent;onlyassuremymotherthatallwillgoonwell.AndIhaveagainobserved,mydearfriend,inthistriflingaffair,thatmisunderstandingsandneglectoccasionmoremischiefintheworldthanevenmaliceandwickedness.Atallevents,thetwolatterareoflessfrequentoccurrence.
　　InotherrespectsIamverywelloffhere.Solitudeinthisterrestrialparadiseisagenialbalmtomymind,andtheyoungspringcheerswithitsbounteouspromisesmyoftentimesmisgivingheart.Everytree,everybush,isfullofflowers;andonemightwishhimselftransformedintoabutterfly,tofloataboutinthisoceanofperfume,andfindhiswholeexistenceinit.
　　Thetownitselfisdisagreeable;butthen,allaround,youfindaninexpressiblebeautyofnature.ThisinducedthelateCountMtolayoutagardenononeoftheslopinghillswhichhereintersecteachotherwiththemostcharmingvariety,andformthemostlovelyvalleys.Thegardenissimple;anditiseasytoperceive,evenuponyourfirstentrance,thattheplanwasnotdesignedbyascientificgardener,butbyamanwhowishedtogivehimselfupheretotheenjoymentofhisownsensitiveheart.ManyatearhaveIalreadyshedtothememoryofitsdepartedmasterinasummer-housewhichisnowreducedtoruins,butwashisfavouriteresort,andnowismine.Ishallsoonbemasteroftheplace.Thegardenerhasbecomeattachedtomewithinthelastfewdays,andhewilllosenothingthereby.
　　MAY10.
　　Awonderfulserenityhastakenpossessionofmyentiresoul,likethesesweetmorningsofspringwhichIenjoywithmywholeheart.Iamalone,andfeelthecharmofexistenceinthisspot,whichwascreatedfortheblissofsoulslikemine.Iamsohappy,mydearfriend,soabsorbedintheexquisitesenseofmeretranquilexistence,thatIneglectmytalents.Ishouldbeincapableofdrawingasinglestrokeatthepresentmoment;andyetIfeelthatIneverwasagreaterartistthannow.When,whilethelovelyvalleyteemswithvapouraroundme,andthemeridiansunstrikestheuppersurfaceoftheimpenetrablefoliageofmytrees,andbutafewstraygleamsstealintotheinnersanctuary,Ithrowmyselfdownamongthetallgrassbythetricklingstream;and,asIlieclosetotheearth,athousandunknownplantsarenoticedbyme:whenIhearthebuzzofthelittleworldamongthestalks,andgrowfamiliarwiththecountlessindescribableformsoftheinsectsandflies,thenIfeelthepresenceoftheAlmighty,whoformedusinhisownimage,andthebreathofthatuniversallovewhichbearsandsustainsus,asitfloatsaroundusinaneternityofbliss;andthen,myfriend,whendarknessoverspreadsmyeyes,andheavenandearthseemtodwellinmysoulandabsorbitspower,liketheformofabelovedmistress,thenIoftenthinkwithlonging,Oh,wouldIcoulddescribetheseconceptions,couldimpressuponpaperallthatislivingsofullandwarmwithinme,thatitmightbethemirrorofmysoul,asmysoulisthemirroroftheinfiniteGod!Omyfriend——butitistoomuchformystrength——Isinkundertheweightofthesplendourofthesevisions!
　　MAY12.
　　Iknownotwhethersomedeceitfulspiritshauntthisspot,orwhetheritbethewarm,celestialfancyinmyownheartwhichmakeseverythingaroundmeseemlikeparadise.Infrontofthehouseisafountain,——afountaintowhichIamboundbyacharmlikeMelusinaandhersisters.Descendingagentleslope,youcometoanarch,where,sometwentystepslowerdown,wateroftheclearestcrystalgushesfromthemarblerock.Thenarrowwallwhichenclosesitabove,thetalltreeswhichencirclethespot,andthecoolnessoftheplaceitself,——everythingimpartsapleasantbutsublimeimpression.NotadaypassesonwhichIdonotspendanhourthere.Theyoungmaidenscomefromthetowntofetchwater,——innocentandnecessaryemployment,andformerlytheoccupationofthedaughtersofkings.AsItakemyrestthere,theideaoftheoldpatriarchallifeisawakenedaroundme.Iseethem,ouroldancestors,howtheyformedtheirfriendshipsandcontractedalliancesatthefountain-side;andIfeelhowfountainsandstreamswereguardedbybeneficentspirits.Hewhoisastrangertothesesensationshasneverreallyenjoyedcoolreposeatthesideofafountainafterthefatigueofawearysummerday.
　　MAY13.
　　Youaskifyoushallsendmebooks.Mydearfriend,Ibeseechyou,fortheloveofGod,relievemefromsuchayoke!Ineednomoretobeguided,agitated,heated.Myheartfermentssufficientlyofitself.Iwantstrainstolullme,andIfindthemtoperfectioninmyHomer.OftendoIstrivetoallaytheburningfeverofmyblood;andyouhaveneverwitnessedanythingsounsteady,souncertain,asmyheart.ButneedIconfessthistoyou,mydearfriend,whohavesooftenenduredtheanguishofwitnessingmysuddentransitionsfromsorrowtoimmoderatejoy,andfromsweetmelancholytoviolentpassions?Itreatmypoorheartlikeasickchild,andgratifyitseveryfancy.Donotmentionthisagain:therearepeoplewhowouldcensuremeforit.
　　MAY15.
　　Thecommonpeopleoftheplaceknowmealready,andloveme,particularlythechildren.WhenatfirstIassociatedwiththem,andinquiredinafriendlytoneabouttheirvarioustrifles,somefanciedthatIwishedtoridiculethem,andturnedfrommeinexceedingill-humour.Ididnotallowthatcircumstancetogrieveme:IonlyfeltmostkeenlywhatIhaveoftenbeforeobserved.Personswhocanclaimacertainrankkeepthemselvescoldlyalooffromthecommonpeople,asthoughtheyfearedtolosetheirimportancebythecontact;whilstwantonidlers,andsuchasarepronetobadjoking,affecttodescendtotheirlevel,onlytomakethepoorpeoplefeeltheirimpertinenceallthemorekeenly.
　　Iknowverywellthatwearenotallequal,norcanbeso;butitismyopinionthathewhoavoidsthecommonpeople,inordernottolosetheirrespect,isasmuchtoblameasacowardwhohideshimselffromhisenemybecausehefearsdefeat.
　　TheotherdayIwenttothefountain,andfoundayoungservant-girl,whohadsetherpitcherontheloweststep,andlookedaroundtoseeifoneofhercompanionswasapproachingtoplaceitonherhead.Irandown,andlookedather."ShallIhelpyou,prettylass?"saidI.Sheblusheddeeply."Oh,sir!"sheexclaimed."Noceremony!"Ireplied.Sheadjustedherhead-gear,andIhelpedher.Shethankedme,andascendedthesteps.
　　MAY17.
　　Ihavemadeallsortsofacquaintances,buthaveasyetfoundnosociety.IknownotwhatattractionIpossessforthepeople,somanyofthemlikeme,andattachthemselvestome;andthenIfeelsorrywhentheroadwepursuetogethergoesonlyashortdistance.Ifyouinquirewhatthepeoplearelikehere,Imustanswer,"Thesameaseverywhere."Thehumanraceisbutamonotonousaffair.Mostofthemlabourthegreaterpartoftheirtimeformeresubsistence;andthescantyportionoffreedomwhichremainstothemsotroublesthemthattheyuseeveryexertiontogetridofit.Oh,thedestinyofman!
　　Buttheyarearightgoodsortofpeople.IfIoccasionallyforgetmyself,andtakepartintheinnocentpleasureswhicharenotyetforbiddentothepeasantry,andenjoymyself,forinstance,withgenuinefreedomandsincerity,roundawell-coveredtable,orarrangeanexcursionoradanceopportunely,andsoforth,allthisproducesagoodeffectuponmydisposition;onlyImustforgetthatthereliedormantwithinmesomanyotherqualitieswhichmoulderuselessly,andwhichIamobligedtokeepcarefullyconcealed.Ah!thisthoughtaffectsmyspiritsfearfully.Andyettobemisunderstoodisthefateofthelikeofus.
　　Alas,thatthefriendofmyyouthisgone!Alas,thatIeverknewher!Imightsaytomyself,"Youareadreamertoseekwhatisnottobefoundherebelow."Butshehasbeenmine.Ihavepossessedthatheart,thatnoblesoul,inwhosepresenceIseemedtobemorethanIreallywas,becauseIwasallthatIcouldbe.Goodheavens!didthenasinglepowerofmysoulremainunexercised?InherpresencecouldInotdisplay,toitsfullextent,thatmysteriousfeelingwithwhichmyheartembracesnature?Wasnotourintercourseaperpetualwebofthefinestemotions,ofthekeenestwit,thevarietiesofwhich,evenintheirveryeccentricity,borethestampofgenius?Alas!thefewyearsbywhichshewasmyseniorbroughthertothegravebeforeme.NevercanIforgetherfirmmindorherheavenlypatience.
　　AfewdaysagoImetacertainyoungV——,afrank,openfellow,withamostpleasingcountenance.Hehasjustlefttheuniversity,doesnotdeemhimselfoverwise,butbelievesheknowsmorethanotherpeople.Hehasworkedhard,asIcanperceivefrommanycircumstances,and,inshort,possessesalargestockofinformation.
　　WhenheheardthatIamdrawingagooddeal,andthatIknowGreektwowonderfulthingsforthispartofthecountry,hecametoseeme,anddisplayedhiswholestoreoflearning,fromBatteauxtoWood,fromDePilestoWinkelmann:heassuredmehehadreadthroughthefirstpartofSultzer'stheory,andalsopossessedamanuscriptofHeyne'sworkonthestudyoftheantique.Ialloweditalltopass.Ihavebecomeacquainted,also,withaveryworthyperson,thedistrictjudge,afrankandopen-heartedman.Iamtolditisamostdelightfulthingtoseehiminthemidstofhischildren,ofwhomhehasnine.Hiseldestdaughterespeciallyishighlyspokenof.Hehasinvitedmetogoandseehim,andIintendtodosoonthefirstopportunity.Helivesatoneoftheroyalhunting-lodges,whichcanbereachedfromhereinanhourandahalfbywalking,andwhichheobtainedleavetoinhabitafterthelossofhiswife,asitissopainfultohimtoresideintownandatthecourt.
　　Therehavealsocomeinmywayafewotheroriginalsofaquestionablesort,whoareinallrespectsundesirable,andmostintolerableintheirdemonstrationoffriendship.Good-bye.Thisletterwillpleaseyou:itisquitehistorical.
　　MAY22.
　　Thatthelifeofmanisbutadream,manyamanhassurmisedheretofore;andI,too,ameverywherepursuedbythisfeeling.WhenIconsiderthenarrowlimitswithinwhichouractiveandinquiringfacultiesareconfined;whenIseehowallourenergiesarewastedinprovidingformerenecessities,whichagainhavenofurtherendthantoprolongawretchedexistence;andthenthatalloursatisfactionconcerningcertainsubjectsofinvestigationendsinnothingbetterthanapassiveresignation,whilstweamuseourselvespaintingourprison-wallswithbrightfiguresandbrilliantlandscapes,——whenIconsiderallthis,Wilhelm,Iamsilent.Iexaminemyownbeing,andfindthereaworld,butaworldratherofimaginationanddimdesires,thanofdistinctnessandlivingpower.Theneverythingswimsbeforemysenses,andIsmileanddreamwhilepursuingmywaythroughtheworld.
　　Alllearnedprofessorsanddoctorsareagreedthatchildrendonotcomprehendthecauseoftheirdesires;butthatthegrown-upshouldwanderaboutthisearthlikechildren,withoutknowingwhencetheycome,orwhithertheygo,influencedaslittlebyfixedmotives,butguidedlikethembybiscuits,sugar-plums,andtherod,——thisiswhatnobodyiswillingtoacknowledge;andyetIthinkitispalpable.
　　Iknowwhatyouwillsayinreply;forIamreadytoadmitthattheyarehappiest,who,likechildren,amusethemselveswiththeirplaythings,dressandundresstheirdolls,andattentivelywatchthecupboard,wheremammahaslockeduphersweetthings,and,whenatlasttheygetadeliciousmorsel,eatitgreedily,andexclaim,"More!"Thesearecertainlyhappybeings;butothersalsoareobjectsofenvy,whodignifytheirpaltryemployments,andsometimeseventheirpassions,withpompoustitles,representingthemtomankindasgiganticachievementsperformedfortheirwelfareandglory.
　　Butthemanwhohumblyacknowledgesthevanityofallthis,whoobserveswithwhatpleasurethethrivingcitizenconvertshislittlegardenintoaparadise,andhowpatientlyeventhepoormanpursueshiswearywayunderhisburden,andhowallwishequallytobeholdthelightofthesunalittlelonger,——yes,suchamanisatpeace,andcreateshisownworldwithinhimself;andheisalsohappy,becauseheisaman.Andthen,howeverlimitedhissphere,hestillpreservesinhisbosomthesweetfeelingofliberty,andknowsthathecanquithisprisonwheneverhelikes.
　　MAY26.
　　Youknowofoldmywaysofsettlinganywhere,ofselectingalittlecottageinsomecosyspot,andofputtingupinitwitheveryinconvenience.Here,too,Ihavediscoveredsuchasnug,comfortableplace,whichpossessespeculiarcharmsforme.
　　AboutaleaguefromthetownisaplacecalledWalheim.Thereaderneednottakethetroubletolookfortheplacethusdesignated.Wehavefounditnecessarytochangethenamesgivenintheoriginal.Itisdelightfullysituatedonthesideofahill;and,byproceedingalongoneofthefootpathswhichleadoutofthevillage,youcanhaveaviewofthewholevalley.Agoodoldwomanlivesthere,whokeepsasmallinn.Shesellswine,beer,andcoffee,andischeerfulandpleasantnotwithstandingherage.Thechiefcharmofthisspotconsistsintwolinden-trees,spreadingtheirenormousbranchesoverthelittlegreenbeforethechurch,whichisentirelysurroundedbypeasants'cottages,barns,andhomesteads.Ihaveseldomseenaplacesoretiredandpeaceable;andthereoftenhavemytableandchairbroughtoutfromthelittleinn,anddrinkmycoffeethere,andreadmyHomer.
　　Accidentbroughtmetothespotonefineafternoon,andIfounditperfectlydeserted.Everybodywasinthefieldsexceptalittleboyaboutfouryearsofage,whowassittingontheground,andheldbetweenhiskneesachildaboutsixmonthsold:hepressedittohisbosomwithbotharms,whichthusformedasortofarm-chair;and,notwithstandingthelivelinesswhichsparkledinitsblackeyes,itremainedperfectlystill.Thesightcharmedme.Isatdownuponaploughopposite,andsketchedwithgreatdelightthislittlepictureofbrotherlytenderness.Iaddedtheneighbouringhedge,thebarn-door,andsomebrokencart-wheels,justastheyhappenedtolie;andIfoundinaboutanhourthatIhadmadeaverycorrectandinterestingdrawing,withoutputtingintheslightestthingofmyown.Thisconfirmedmeinmyresolutionofadhering,forthefuture,entirelytonature.Shealoneisinexhaustible,andcapableofformingthegreatestmasters.Muchmaybeallegedinfavourofrules,asmuchmaybelikewiseadvancedinfavourofthelawsofsociety:anartistformeduponthemwillneverproduceanythingabsolutelybadordisgusting;asamanwhoobservesthelaws,andobeysdecorum,canneverbeanabsolutelyintolerableneighbour,noradecidedvillain:butyet,saywhatyouwillofrules,theydestroythegenuinefeelingofnature,aswellasitstrueexpression.Donottellme"thatthisistoohard,thattheyonlyrestrainandprunesuperfluousbranches,etc."Mygoodfriend,Iwillillustratethisbyananalogy.
　　Thesethingsresemblelove.Awarmheartedyouthbecomesstronglyattachedtoamaiden:hespendseveryhourofthedayinhercompany,wearsouthishealth,andlavisheshisfortune,toaffordcontinualproofthatheiswhollydevotedtoher.Thencomesamanoftheworld,amanofplaceandrespectability,andaddresseshimthus:"Mygoodyoungfriend,loveisnatural;butyoumustlovewithinbounds.Divideyourtime:devoteaportiontobusiness,andgivethehoursofrecreationtoyourmistress.Calculateyourfortune;andoutofthesuperfluityyoumaymakeherapresent,onlynottoooften,——onherbirthday,andsuchoccasions."Pursuingthisadvice,hemaybecomeausefulmemberofsociety,andIshouldadviseeveryprincetogivehimanappointment;butitisallupwithhislove,andwithhisgeniusifhebeanartist.Omyfriend!whyisitthatthetorrentofgeniussoseldomburstsforth,soseldomrollsinfull-flowingstream,overwhelmingyourastoundedsoul?Because,oneithersideofthisstream,coldandrespectablepersonshavetakenuptheirabodes,and,forsooth,theirsummer-housesandtulip-bedswouldsufferfromthetorrent;whereforetheydigtrenches,andraiseembankmentsbetimes,inordertoaverttheimpendingdanger.
　　MAY27.
　　IfindIhavefallenintoraptures,declamation,andsimiles,andhaveforgotten,inconsequence,totellyouwhatbecameofthechildren.Absorbedinmyartisticcontemplations,whichIbrieflydescribedinmyletterofyesterday,Icontinuedsittingontheploughfortwohours.Towardeveningayoungwoman,withabasketonherarm,camerunningtowardthechildren,whohadnotmovedallthattime.Sheexclaimedfromadistance,"Youareagoodboy,Philip!"Shegavemegreeting:Ireturnedit,rose,andapproachedher.Iinquiredifshewerethemotherofthoseprettychildren."Yes,"shesaid;and,givingtheeldestapieceofbread,shetookthelittleoneinherarmsandkisseditwithamother'stenderness."IleftmychildinPhilip'scare,"shesaid,"whilstIwentintothetownwithmyeldestboytobuysomewheatenbread,somesugar,andanearthenpot."Isawthevariousarticlesinthebasket,fromwhichthecoverhadfallen."Ishallmakesomebrothto-nightformylittleHanswhichwasthenameoftheyoungest:thatwildfellow,thebigone,brokemypotyesterday,whilsthewasscramblingwithPhilipforwhatremainedofthecontents."Iinquiredfortheeldest;andshebadscarcelytimetotellmethathewasdrivingacoupleofgeesehomefromthemeadow,whenheranup,andhandedPhilipanosier-twig.Italkedalittlelongerwiththewoman,andfoundthatshewasthedaughteroftheschoolmaster,andthatherhusbandwasgoneonajourneyintoSwitzerlandforsomemoneyarelationhadlefthim."Theywantedtocheathim,"shesaid,"andwouldnotanswerhisletters;soheisgonetherehimself.Ihopehehasmetwithnoaccident,asIhaveheardnothingofhimsincehisdeparture."Ileftthewoman,withregret,givingeachofthechildrenakreutzer,withanadditionalonefortheyoungest,tobuysomewheatenbreadforhisbrothwhenshewenttotownnext;andsoweparted.Iassureyou,mydearfriend,whenmythoughtsareallintumult,thesightofsuchacreatureasthistranquillisesmydisturbedmind.Shemovesinahappythoughtlessnesswithintheconfinedcircleofherexistence;shesuppliesherwantsfromdaytoday;and,whensheseestheleavesfall,theyraisenootherideainhermindthanthatwinterisapproaching.SincethattimeIhavegoneouttherefrequently.
　　Thechildrenhavebecomequitefamiliarwithme;andeachgetsalumpofsugarwhenIdrinkmycoffee,andtheysharemymilkandbreadandbutterintheevening.TheyalwaysreceivetheirkreutzeronSundays,forthegoodwomanhasorderstogiveittothemwhenIdonotgothereaftereveningservice.Theyarequiteathomewithme,tellmeeverything;andIamparticularlyamusedwithobservingtheirtempers,andthesimplicityoftheirbehaviour,whensomeoftheothervillagechildrenareassembledwiththem.
　　Ithasgivenmeadealoftroubletosatisfytheanxietyofthemother,lestasshesays"theyshouldinconveniencethegentleman."
　　MAY30.
　　WhatIhavelatelysaidofpaintingisequallytruewithrespecttopoetry.Itisonlynecessaryforustoknowwhatisreallyexcellent,andventuretogiveitexpression;andthatissayingmuchinfewwords.To-dayIhavehadascene,which,ifliterallyrelated,would,makethemostbeautifulidylintheworld.ButwhyshouldItalkofpoetryandscenesandidyls?Canwenevertakepleasureinnaturewithouthavingrecoursetoart?
　　Ifyouexpectanythinggrandormagnificentfromthisintroduction,youwillbesadlymistaken.Itrelatesmerelytoapeasant-lad,whohasexcitedinmethewarmestinterest.Asusual,Ishalltellmystorybadly;andyou,asusual,willthinkmeextravagant.ItisWalheimoncemore——alwaysWalheim——whichproducesthesewonderfulphenomena.
　　Apartyhadassembledoutsidethehouseunderthelinden-trees,todrinkcoffee.Thecompanydidnotexactlypleaseme;and,underonepretextoranother,Ilingeredbehind.
　　Apeasantcamefromanadjoininghouse,andsettoworkarrangingsomepartofthesameploughwhichIhadlatelysketched.Hisappearancepleasedme;andIspoketohim,inquiredabouthiscircumstances,madehisacquaintance,and,asismywontwithpersonsofthatclass,wassoonadmittedintohisconfidence.Hesaidhewasintheserviceofayoungwidow,whosetgreatstorebyhim.Hespokesomuchofhismistress,andpraisedhersoextravagantly,thatIcouldsoonseehewasdesperatelyinlovewithher."Sheisnolongeryoung,"hesaid:"andshewastreatedsobadlybyherformerhusbandthatshedoesnotmeantomarryagain."Fromhisaccountitwassoevidentwhatincomparablecharmsshepossessedforhim,andhowardentlyhewishedshewouldselecthimtoextinguishtherecollectionofherfirsthusband'smisconduct,thatIshouldhavetorepeathisownwordsinordertodescribethedepthofthepoorfellow'sattachment,truth,anddevotion.Itwould,infact,requirethegiftsofagreatpoettoconveytheexpressionofhisfeatures,theharmonyofhisvoice,andtheheavenlyfireofhiseye.Nowordscanportraythetendernessofhiseverymovementandofeveryfeature:noeffortofminecoulddojusticetothescene.HisalarmlestIshouldmisconceivehispositionwithregardtohismistress,orquestiontheproprietyofherconduct,touchedmeparticularly.Thecharmingmannerwithwhichhedescribedherformandperson,which,withoutpossessingthegracesofyouth,wonandattachedhimtoher,isinexpressible,andmustbelefttotheimagination.Ihaveneverinmylifewitnessedorfanciedorconceivedthepossibilityofsuchintensedevotion,suchardentaffections,unitedwithsomuchpurity.DonotblamemeifIsaythattherecollectionofthisinnocenceandtruthisdeeplyimpresseduponmyverysoul;thatthispictureoffidelityandtendernesshauntsmeeverywhere;andthatmyownheart,asthoughenkindledbytheflame,glowsandburnswithinme.
　　ImeannowtotryandseeherassoonasIcan:orperhaps,onsecondthoughts,Ihadbetternot;itisbetterIshouldbeholdherthroughtheeyesofherlover.Tomysight,perhaps,shewouldnotappearasshenowstandsbeforeme;andwhyshouldIdestroysosweetapicture?
　　JUNE16.
　　"WhydoInotwritetoyou?"Youlayclaimtolearning,andasksuchaquestion.YoushouldhaveguessedthatIamwell——thatistosay——inaword,Ihavemadeanacquaintancewhohaswonmyheart:Ihave——Iknownot.
　　TogiveyouaregularaccountofthemannerinwhichIhavebecomeacquaintedwiththemostamiableofwomenwouldbeadifficulttask.Iamahappyandcontentedmortal,butapoorhistorian.
　　Anangel!Nonsense!Everybodysodescribeshismistress;andyetIfinditimpossibletotellyouhowperfectsheis,orwhysheissoperfect:sufficeittosayshehascaptivatedallmysenses.
　　Somuchsimplicitywithsomuchunderstauding——somild,andyetsoresolute——amindsoplacid,andalifesoactive.
　　Butallthisisuglybalderdash,whichexpressesnotasinglecharacternorfeature.Someothertime——butno,notsomeothertime,now,thisveryinstant,willItellyouallaboutit.Nowornever.Well,betweenourselves,sinceIcommencedmyletter,Ihavebeenthreetimesonthepointofthrowingdownmypen,oforderingmyhorse,andridingout.AndyetIvowedthismorningthatIwouldnotrideto-day,andyeteverymomentIamrushingtothewindowtoseehowhighthesunis.
　　Icouldnotrestrainmyself——gotoherImust.Ihavejustreturned,Wilhelm;andwhilstIamtakingsupperIwillwritetoyou.Whatadelightitwasformysoultoseeherinthemidstofherdear,beautifulchildren,——eightbrothersandsisters!
　　But,ifIproceedthus,youwillbenowiserattheendofmyletterthanyouwereatthebeginning.Attend,then,andIwillcompelmyselftogiveyouthedetails.
　　ImentionedtoyoutheotherdaythatIhadbecomeacquaintedwithS——,thedistrictjudge,andthathehadinvitedmetogoandvisithiminhisretirement,orratherinhislittlekingdom.ButIneglectedgoing,andperhapsshouldneverhavegone,ifchancehadnotdiscoveredtomethetreasurewhichlayconcealedinthatretiredspot.Someofouryoungpeoplehadproposedgivingaballinthecountry,atwhichIconsentedtobepresent.Iofferedmyhandfortheeveningtoaprettyandagreeable,butrathercommonplace,sortofgirlfromtheimmediateneighbourhood;anditwasagreedthatIshouldengageacarriage,andcalluponCharlotte,withmypartnerandheraunt,toconveythemtotheball.Mycompanioninformedme,aswedrovealongthroughtheparktothehunting-lodge,thatIshouldmaketheacquaintanceofaverycharmingyounglady."Takecare,"addedtheaunt,"thatyoudonotloseyourheart.""Why?"saidI."Becausesheisalreadyengagedtoaveryworthyman,"shereplied,"whoisgonetosettlehisaffairsuponthedeathofhisfather,andwillsucceedtoaveryconsiderableinheritance."Thisinformationpossessednointerestforme.Whenwearrivedatthegate,thesunwassettingbehindthetopsofthemountains.Theatmospherewasheavy;andtheladiesexpressedtheirfearsofanapproachingstorm,asmassesoflowblackcloudsweregatheringinthehorizon.Irelievedtheiranxietiesbypretendingtobeweather-wise,althoughImyselfhadsomeapprehensionslestourpleasureshouldbeinterrupted.
　　Ialighted;andamaidcametothedoor,andrequestedustowaitamomentforhermistress.Iwalkedacrossthecourttoawell-builthouse,and,ascendingtheflightofstepsinfront,openedthedoor,andsawbeforemethemostcharmingspectacleIhadeverwitnessed.Sixchildren,fromeleventotwoyearsold,wererunningaboutthehall,andsurroundingaladyofmiddleheight,withalovelyfigure,dressedinarobeofsimplewhite,trimmedwithpinkribbons.Shewasholdingaryeloafinherhand,andwascuttingslicesforthelittleonesallaround,inproportiontotheirageandappetite.Sheperformedhertaskinagracefulandaffectionatemanner;eachclaimantawaitinghisturnwithoutstretchedhands,andboisterouslyshoutinghisthanks.
　　Someofthemranawayatonce,toenjoytheireveningmeal;whilstothers,ofagentlerdisposition,retiredtothecourtyardtoseethestrangers,andtosurveythecarriageinwhichtheirCharlottewastodriveaway."Prayforgivemeforgivingyouthetroubletocomeforme,andforkeepingtheladieswaiting:butdressing,andarrangingsomehouseholddutiesbeforeIleave,hadmademeforgetmychildren'ssupper;andtheydonotliketotakeitfromanyonebutme."Iutteredsomeindifferentcompliment:butmywholesoulwasabsorbedbyherair,hervoice,hermanner;andIhadscarcelyrecoveredmyselfwhensheranintoherroomtofetchherglovesandfan.Theyoungonesthrewinquiringglancesatmefromadistance;whilstIapproachedtheyoungest,amostdeliciouslittlecreature.Hedrewback;andCharlotte,enteringattheverymoment,said,"Louis,shakehandswithyourcousin."Thelittlefellowobeyedwillingly;andIcouldnotresistgivinghimaheartykiss,notwithstandinghisratherdirtyface."Cousin,"saidItoCharlotte,asIhandedherdown,"doyouthinkIdeservethehappinessofbeingrelatedtoyou?"Shereplied,withareadysmile,"Oh!Ihavesuchanumberofcousins,thatIshouldbesorryifyouwerethemostundeservingofthem."Intakingleave,shedesiredhernextsister,Sophy,agirlaboutelevenyearsold,totakegreatcareofthechildren,andtosaygood-byetopapaforherwhenhecamehomefromhisride.SheenjoinedtothelittleonestoobeytheirsisterSophyastheywouldherself,uponwhichsomepromisedthattheywould;butalittlefair-hairedgirl,aboutsixyearsold,lookeddiscontented,andsaid,"ButSophyisnotyou,Charlotte;andwelikeyoubest."Thetwoeldestboyshadclamberedupthecarriage;and,atmyrequest,shepermittedthemtoaccompanyusalittlewaythroughtheforest,upontheirpromisingtositverystill,andholdfast.
　　Wewerehardlyseated,andtheladieshadscarcelyexchangedcompliments,makingtheusualremarksuponeachother'sdress,anduponthecompanytheyexpectedtomeet,whenCharlottestoppedthecarriage,andmadeherbrothersgetdown.Theyinsisteduponkissingherhandsoncemore;whichtheeldestdidwithallthetendernessofayouthoffifteen,buttheotherinalighterandmorecarelessmanner.Shedesiredthemagaintogiveherlovetothechildren,andwedroveoff.
　　TheauntinquiredofCharlottewhethershehadfinishedthebookshehadlastsenther."No,"saidCharlotte;"Ididnotlikeit:youcanhaveitagain.Andtheonebeforewasnotmuchbetter."Iwassurprised,uponaskingthetitle,tohearthatitwas____.Wefeelobligedtosuppressthepassageintheletter,topreventanyonefromfeelingaggrieved;althoughnoauthorneedpaymuchattentiontotheopinionofameregirl,orthatofanunsteadyyoungman.
　　Ifoundpenetrationandcharacterineverythingshesaid:everyexpressionseemedtobrightenherfeatureswithnewcharms,——withnewraysofgenius,——whichunfoldedbydegrees,asshefeltherselfunderstood.
　　"WhenIwasyounger,"sheobserved,"Ilovednothingsomuchasromances.Nothingcouldequalmydelightwhen,onsomeholiday,Icouldsettledownquietlyinacorner,andenterwithmywholeheartandsoulintothejoysorsorrowsofsomefictitiousLeonora.Idonotdenythattheyevenpossesssomecharmsformeyet.ButIreadsoseldom,thatIpreferbookssuitedexactlytomytaste.AndIlikethoseauthorsbestwhosescenesdescribemyownsituationinlife,——andthefriendswhoareaboutme,whosestoriestouchmewithinterest,fromresemblingmyownhomelyexistence,——which,withoutbeingabsolutelyparadise,is,onthewhole,asourceofindescribablehappiness."
　　Iendeavouredtoconcealtheemotionwhichthesewordsoccasioned,butitwasofslightavail;for,whenshehadexpressedsotrulyheropinionof"TheVicarofWakefield,"andofotherworks,thenamesofwhichIomitThoughthenamesareomitted,yettheauthorsmentioneddeserveCharlotte'sapprobation,andwillfeelitintheirheartswhentheyreadthispassage.Itconcernsnootherperson.,Icouldnolongercontainmyself,butgavefullutterancetowhatIthoughtofit:anditwasnotuntilCharlottehadaddressedherselftothetwootherladies,thatIrememberedtheirpresence,andobservedthemsittingmutewithastonishment.Theauntlookedatmeseveraltimeswithanairofraillery,which,however,Ididnotatallmind.
　　Wetalkedofthepleasuresofdancing."Ifitisafaulttoloveit,"saidCharlotte,"IamreadytoconfessthatIprizeitaboveallotheramusements.Ifanythingdisturbsme,Igotothepiano,playanairtowhichIhavedanced,andallgoesrightagaindirectly."
　　You,whoknowme,canfancyhowsteadfastlyIgazeduponherrichdarkeyesduringtheseremarks,howmyverysoulgloatedoverherwarmlipsandfresh,glowingcheeks,howIbecamequitelostinthedelightfulmeaningofherwords,somuchso,thatIscarcelyheardtheactualexpressions.Inshort,Ialightedfromthecarriagelikeapersoninadream,andwassolosttothedimworldaroundme,thatIscarcelyheardthemusicwhichresoundedfromtheilluminatedballroom.
　　ThetwoMessrs.AndranandacertainN.N.Icannottroublemyselfwiththenames,whoweretheaunt'sandCharlotte'spartners,receivedusatthecarriage-door,andtookpossessionoftheirladies,whilstIfollowedwithmine.
　　Wecommencedwithaminuet.Iledoutoneladyafteranother,andpreciselythosewhowerethemostdisagreeablecouldnotbringthemselvestoleaveoff.CharlotteandherpartnerbegananEnglishcountrydance,andyoumustimaginemydelightwhenitwastheirturntodancethefigurewithus.YoushouldseeCharlottedance.Shedanceswithherwholeheartandsoul:herfigureisallharmony,elegance,andgrace,asifshewereconsciousofnothingelse,andhadnootherthoughtorfeeling;and,doubtless,forthemoment,everyothersensationisextinct.