5-26-21-40 PREFACE THE text of this edition is based upon that of 1844, the last issue of the Buch der Lieder which was revised by the poet himself. In contrast to the critical editions of Elster and Walzel the spelling and punctuation favoured by Heine have been carefully retained. No new rules of orthography will make Heine a modern poet: on the contrary, the slightly old-fashioned forms of the beautifully printed edition of 1844 supply exactly the correct atmosphere for this poetry of the early nineteenth century. The retention of Heine's punctuation is more important still. Modern German punctuation is a purely mechanical affair. With Heine, on the other hand, the comma is frequently used to mark the caesura and to show how the line is to be read. In his instructions to the printers and in letters to his publisher Campe he insists upon the retention of his punctuation, even though it be different from that in common practice. "Every comma," he said once, " ought to be sacred." In the Introduction and the Notes full use has been made of the very extensive literature on Heine, and as complete acknowledgement as possible has been made of the sources from which information is derived. Special thanks are due to Professor J. G. Robertson for revising the MS. and offering many useful suggestions. We acknowledge also with gratitude the support of the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland in contributing a sum towards any deficit that may be involved in the publication. JOHN LEES. It is with deep regret that, as Editor of the Series in which the present volume appears, I have to add to Dr. Lees' preface the intimation of his death, which took place before his book had passed through the Press. The loss is one which will be keenly felt, not only at the University of Aberdeen and amongst those who had the privilege of coming into personal contact with Dr. Lees, either as learners or fellowworkers, but by all who have the interests of modern language scholarship in our Universities at heart. His work, as a scholar and as a teacher, was marked by an inspiring enthusiasm; and his aims were always of the highest. Despite his long and hopeless illness, Dr. Lees took a warm interest in the progress of his work; all the proofs passed through his hands, and it appears in the form in which he wished it to appear. June 1920. J. G. ROBERTSON. |