PREFACE

Having come into possession of the copyright, for the English language, of the recently-discovered "Memoirs" of Heinrich Heine, the editor of this volume now publishes a translation of these autobiographical notes, together with an introductory essay on the life and works of the great German poet. The " Memoirs,"

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and other hitherto unpublished fragments of Heine's writings contained in this volume, will certainly be read with interest and pleasure by the English and American public. The editor only regrets that the necessity of bringing out the English translation, as nearly as possible, simultaneously with the German and French editions, has precluded that careful revision of the work to which he had intended to submit it before going to press. The imperfections arising from the omission alluded to, do not, however, affect the substance of the work.

Heine has been frequently and unjustly censured with regard to his religious views, which were those of a liberal and cosmopolitan mind. In giving to the public this volume, the editor may express