Public opinion calls him a genius and a Messiah.
Away with your nonsense! The 'Werther' of Herr Goethe has wrought no good; it has made the healthy sick, and has not restored invalids to health.

Since its appearance a mad love-fever has seized all the young people, and silly sentimentalities and flirtations have become the fashion.

These modern Werthers behave as if love were a tarantula, with the bite of which they must become mad, to be considered model young men.

They groan and sigh, take moonlight walks, but they have no courage in their souls, and will never make good soldiers.

This is the fault of Herr Werther, and his abominable lamentations.