LETTERS

What I can say first and foremost is that if, as I concede, I am convinced I should publish these letters, I am none the less far from hopeful of success. And please do not suppose this sincerity to be false modesty on my part. For I declare with the same frankness that if this collection had not seemed worthy of being offered to the public, I should not have concerned myself with it. Let us try to reconcile this apparent contradiction.

(Editor´s preface)