R.Smirke del. Plate I SORROWS Publifh'd as the Act directs. by Harrifon &C. Dec '1. 1788 Walker, sculp TRANSLATOR's PREFACE. HE favourable reception which this work has experienced from the publick, will probably afford the moft convincive proof of it's intrinfick merit. Dr. Johnson has judiciously observed, that, By the common fenfe of readers, uncorrupted with literary prejudices, after all the refinements of fubtilty, and the dogmatifm of learning, must be finally decided all claim to poetical honours.' And we think this remark might be extended, with equal juftice, to every work of imagination. Some flagrant ex ceptions, in the prefent times, will indeed occur to every reader; but the paucity of examples to be adduced in support of an opposite opinion, must rather tend to confirm than deftroy the force of the obfervation. Though the story of Werter labours under peculiar difadvantages, from a want of that diverfity of characters which is generally deemed effential to the fuccefs of fimilar productions, and from a barrennefs of events, which keeps the mind invariably attached to one object; yet has it not failed to fix attention, and to fecure applause. It's moral tendency has indeed been difputed, through a miscon→ ception which, arifing from a fervent zeal for the enforcement of morality, is more than pardonable. That the fame effect may be produced by different causes, will not admit of a doubt. Thus examples of virtue and vice, when refpectively offered as objects of imitation and abhorrence, have equal claims to commendation, as they equally tend to promote the fame falutary purpose. Where a vicious or immoral object is represented in those warm and pleasing colours which are calculated to create ftrong fentiments of compaffion, we find the transition from that compaffion to esteem sudden and almost imperceptible. In this cafe, indeed, it requires a certain portion of mental firmness to enforce a neceffary difcrimination; but the generality of mankind are endued with fufficient reafon to refift the |