2 INTRODUCTION. 



chronicler, in order to preclude the possibility of 

 future misunderstanding and misinterpretation of my 

 endeavours arid actions, arid I have an idea also, that 

 it will be instructive and stimulating to the coming 

 generation to be shown plainly how a young man. with- 

 out inherited resources and influential supporters, nay 

 even without proper preliminary culture, may solely 

 through his own industry rise, and do something 

 useful in the world. I shall not expend much 

 thought on literary form, but shall jot down my 

 recollections just as they occur to me. being only 

 anxious that my statements may be clear and truth- 

 ful, and my impressions arid feelings faithfully re- 

 produced. I shall, however, at the same time try to 

 indicate those inner and outer forces which have 

 borne me through weal and woe to the desired goals, 

 and which have made my evening of life an easy and 

 sunny one. 



Here in my secluded villa at Harzburg I hope to 

 find the needful calm for such a retrospect, for amid 

 the scenes of my active labours, in Berlin and Char- 

 lottenburg, I am too much claimed by the demands of 

 the hour to be able without interruption to devote 

 any considerable time to reflection on my own past. 



