15 MARCH 1930, Page 36

The Scholartis Press has done well to include in its

series of eighteenth-century. novels that famous tale by the young Goethe, The Sorrows of Werther (10s. 6d.). For this sentimental love story, reflecting in part the author's experiences, not only made Goethe's reputation in the Europe of 1774, but also was typical of the mood of the age. To our Victorian forefathers, like ThackeritY, Werther was a silly fellow ; • to our own day his excessive introspection is more comprehensible and less absurd. The story has been accurately and -charmingly translated Eby Dr. William Rose, who also provides an excellent account of the circumstances under which the book was written. Moreover, Chodowiecki's familiar illustrations are reproduced.

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