Introductory Note
    Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the greatest of German men of letters, was
    born at Frankfort-on-the-Main, August 28, 1749. His father was a man of
    means and position, and he personally supervised the early education of his
    son. The young Goethe studied at the universities of Leipsig and Strasburg,
    and in 1772 entered upon the practise of law at Wetzlar. At the invitation of
    Karl August, Duke of Saxe-Weimar, he went in 1775 to live in Weimar,
    where he held a succession of political offices, becoming the Duke's chief