The Sorrows of Young Werther

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request is granted, my resignation is accepted. I shall not recount with what reluctance it was accorded, nor relate what the minister has written: you would only renew your lamentations. The crown

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the happy dreams of my childhood. I shall enter at the same gate through which I came with my mother, when, after my father's death,

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e, that alone, and on foot, I might enjoy vividly and heartily all the pleasure of my recollections. I stood there under that same elm which was formerly the term and object of my walks. How things have since changed! Then, in happy ignorance,

l in the narration. I had intended to lodge in the market-place, near our old house. As soon as I entered, I perceived that the schoolroom, where our childhood had been taught by that good old woman, was converted into a shop. I called to mind the sorrow, the heaviness, the tears, and oppression of heart, which I experienced in that confinement. Every step produced some particular impression. A pilgrim in the Holy Land does not meet so many spots pregnant with tender recollections, and his soul is hardly moved with greater devotion. One incident will serve for illustration. I followed the course of a stream to a farm, formerly a delightful walk of mine, and paused at the spot, where, when boys, we used to amuse ourselves making ducks and drakes upon the water. I recollected so well h

t at all understand. They do not seem vicious, and yet they do not carry the appearance of thoroughly honest men. Sometimes I am disposed to believe them honest, and yet I cannot persuade myself

atter only. It is the sole source of everything of our strength, happiness, and misery. A

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er the army, and had long been desirous of taking the step. This, indeed, was the chief reason for my coming here with the prince, as he is a general in the servic

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y kind. His conversation affords me no more amusement than I should derive from the perusal of a well-written book. I shall remain here a week Ionger, and then start again on my travels. My drawings are the best things I have done since I came here. The prince has a taste for the arts

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a pilgrim, through the wo

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I think it would be better for me to visit the mines in --. But I am only deluding myself thus. The fact is,

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one continual thanksgiving! But I will not murmur -- forgive these tears, forgive these fruitless wishes. She -- my wife! Oh, the very thought of foldi

short, their hearts do not beat in unison. How often, my dear friend, im reading a passage from some interesting book, when my heart and Charlotte's seemed to meet, and in a hundred other instances when ou

le visit. I have dried my tears, and com

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er, but she had a very melancholy look. Her first word was, "Alas! dear sir, my little John is dead." He was the youngest of her children. I was silent. "And my husband has returned from Switzerland without any money; and, if some kind people had

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; and then, when I am lost in reverie, I cannot help saying to myself, "If Albert were to die? -- Yes, she would bec

, is altered! No sentiment, no pulsation of my heart, is the same. My sensations are such as would occur to some departed prince whose spirit should return to visit the superb pa

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ove another, when I love nothing in this world so completely, so devote

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re? I have just made inquiries about him in Walheim. They say he has been dismissed from his service, and is now avoided by every one. I met him yesterday on the road, going to a neighbouring village. I spoke to him, and he told me his story. It interested me e

ued by an evil spirit, till one day, knowing that his mistress had gone to an upper chamber, he had followed, or, rather, been drawn after her. As she proved deaf to his entreaties, he had recourse to violence. He knows not what happened; but he called God to witness that his intentions to her were honourable, and that he desired nothing more sincerely than that they should marry, and pass their lives together. When he had come to this point, he began to hesitate, as if there was something which he had not courage to utter, till at length he acknowledged with some confusion certain little confidences she had encouraged, and liberties she had allowed. He broke off two or three times in his narration, an

ring that his sister's second marriage might deprive his children of the handsome fortune they expected from her; as she is childless. He was dismissed at length; and the whole affair occasioned so much scandal, that the mistress dared not take him b

I have weakened and impaired it in the narration, by the

e perverted. But read this story with attention, I implore you. I am tranquil to-day, for I have been employed upon this narration: you see by my writing that I am not so agitated as usual. I read and re-rea

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s." A friend who arrived, brought word, that, for certain reasons, he could not return immediately. Charlotte's letter was not forwarded, and the same evening it fell into my hands. I read it,

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rlotte. But I could not possibly wear it any longer. But I have ordered a new one, preci

ct upon me. I know not how it is, but

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meet Albert. To-day I visited her: she rose to

erved, while she made him perch upon her hand: "he is a present for the children. What a dear he is! Look

er sweet lips with so much fervour that he seeme

ard me. His little beak moved from her mouth to mine, and the deli

sfy him: he wishes for food, and seems disap

ips to him containing seed; and she smiled with all the charm of

ch displays of heavenly innocence and happiness, nor awaken my heart from its slumbers, in whi

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ch trees in my own court, and one had died from old age, should have wept with real affliction. But there is some comfort left, such a thing is sentiment, the whole village murmurs at the misfortune; and I hope the vicar's wife will soon find, by the cessation of the villagers' presents, how much she has wounded the feelings of the neighborhhood. It was she who did it, the wife of the present incumbent (our good old man is dead), a tall, sickly creature who is so far right to disregard the world, as the world totally disregards her. The silly being affects to be learned, pretends to examine the canonical books, lends her aid toward the new-fashioned reformation of Christendom, moral and critical, and shrugs up her shoulders at the mention of Lavater's enthusiasm. Her health is destroyed, on account of which she is prevented from having any enjoyment here below. Only such a creature could have cut down my walnut trees! I can never pardon it. Hear her reasons. The falling leaves made the