The Autobiography of Goethe

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Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The Autobiography of Goethe

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AUTHOR'S PREFACE

PART THE FIRST

FIRST BOOK

SECOND BOOK

THE NEW PARIS

THIRD BOOK

FOURTH BOOK

FIFTH BOOK

PART THE SECOND

SIXTH BOOK

SEVENTH BOOK

EIGHTH BOOK

NINTH BOOK

TENTH BOOK

PART THE THIRD

ELEVENTH BOOK

TWELFTH BOOK

THIRTEENTH BOOK

FOURTEENTH BOOK

FIFTEENTH BOOK

PART THE FOURTH

SIXTEENTH BOOK

SEVENTEENTH BOOK

EIGHTEENTH BOOK

NINETEENTH BOOK

TWENTIETH BOOK

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As a preface to the present work, which, perhaps, more than another requires one, I adduce the letter of a friend, by which so serious an undertaking was occasioned.

"We have now, my dear friend, collected the twelve parts of your poetical works, and on reading them through, find much that is known, much that is unknown; while much that had been forgotten is revived by this collection. These twelve volumes, standing before us, in uniform appearance, we cannot refrain from regarding as a whole; and one would like to sketch therefrom some image of the author and his talents. But it cannot be denied, considering the vigour with which he began his literary career, and the length of time which has since elapsed, that a dozen small volumes must appear incommensurate. Nor can one forget that, with respect to the detached pieces, they have mostly been called forth by special occasions, and reflect particular external objects, as well as distinct grades of inward culture; while it is equally clear, that temporary moral and æsthetic maxims and convictions prevail in them. As a whole, however, these productions remain without connexion; nay, it is often difficult to believe that they emanate from one and the same writer.

.....

"But the gallant man has a right to be heard."

"What would he say then?"

.....