Many of my honored critics have censured these scenes; others, among whom are some whose opinion I specially value, have lavished the kindest praise upon them.

Among these gentlemen I will mention A.Stahr, C.V.Holtei, M.Hartmann, E.Hoefer, W.
Wolfsohn, C.Leemans, Professor Veth of Amsterdam, etc.

Yet I will not conceal the fact that some, whose opinion has great weight, have asked: "Did the ancients know anything of love, in our sense of the word?
Is not romantic love, as we know it, a result of Christianity ?" The following sentence, which stands at the head of the preface to my first edition, will prove that I had not ignored this question when I began my task.
"It has often been remarked that in Cicero's letters and those of Pliny the younger there are unmistakable indications of sympathy with the more sentimental feeling of modern days.

I find in them tones of deep tenderness only, such as have arisen and will arise from sad and aching hearts in every land and every age." A.v.HUMBOLDT.

Cosmos II.