PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. IX 



Throughout the entire work I have sought to indicate 

 the unfailing influence of external nature on the feelings, 

 the moral dispositions, and the destinies of man. To minds 

 oppressed with the cares or the sorrows of life, the soothing 

 influence of the contemplation of nature is peculiarly 

 precious; and to such these pages are more especially 

 dedicated. May they, "escaping from the stormy waves 

 of life/' follow me in spirit with willing steps to the recesses 

 of the primeval forests, over the boundless surface of the 

 Steppe, and to the higher ridges of the Andes. To them 

 is addressed the poet's voice, in the sentence of the 

 Chorus 



" Auf den Bergen ist Ereiheit ! Der Hauch der Griifte 

 Steigt nicht hinauf in die reinen Ltifte ; 

 Die Welt ist vollkommen iiberaU, 

 Wo der Mensch nicht hinkommt mit seiner QuaL" 



