ABSTRACT
Those who expect a Novel will be disappointed in this work, which contains few characters and few events; and the design of which is to exhibit a picture of that disordered state of mind, too common in our own country. It is drawn by the masterly hand of Mr. Goethé, and is perhaps little more than the relation of a fact which happened within his knowledge. It went through several editions in German, and soon made its way into France. About two years since the English translator met with it; and being struck with the uncommon genius and originality of the thoughts, and the energy with which they are expressed, translated some of the letters from the French; and led on by the beauty of the work, which increased in proportion as it was attended to, the whole was insensibly finished, and as no translation from the German has hitherto appeared, it is now offered to the Public.
