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When any vessels came near it； they were instantly deprived of
their ironwork： the nails flew to the mountain； and the unhappy
crew perished amidst the disjointed planks。
JULY 30。
Albert is arrived； and I must take my departure。 Were he the best
and noblest of men； and I in every respect his inferior； I could
not endure to see him in possession of such a perfect being。
Possession！ enough； Wilhelm： her betrothed is here； a fine；
worthy fellow； whom one cannot help liking。 Fortunately I was not
present at their meeting。 It would have broken my heart！ And he
is so considerate： he has not given Charlotte one kiss in my
presence。 Heaven reward him for it！ I must love him for the
respect with which he treats her。 He shows a regard for me； but
for this I suspect I am more indebted to Charlotte than to his own
fancy for me。 Women have a delicate tact in such matters； and it
should be so。 They cannot always succeed in keeping two rivals
on terms with each other； but； when they do； they are the only
gainers。
I cannot help esteeming Albert。 The coolness of his temper contrasts
strongly with the impetuosity of mine； which I cannot conceal。
He has a great deal of feeling； and is fully sensible of the
treasure he possesses in Charlotte。 He is free from ill…humour；
which you know is the fault I detest most。
He regards me as a man of sense； and my attachment to Charlotte；
and the interest I take in all that concerns her； augment his
triumph and his love。 I shall not inquire whether he may not at
times tease her with some little jealousies； as I know； that； were
I in his place； I should not be entirely free from such sensations。
But； be that as it may； my pleasure with Charlotte is over。 Call
it folly or infatuation； what signifies a name？ The thing speaks
for itself。 Before Albert came； I knew all that I know now。 I
knew I could make no pretensions to her； nor did I offer any； that
is； as far as it was possible； in the presence of so much loveliness；
not to pant for its enjoyment。 And now； behold me like a silly
fellow； staring with astonishment when another comes in； and
deprives me of my love。
I bite my lips； and feel infinite scorn for those who tell me to
be resigned； because there is no help for it。 Let me escape from
the yoke of such silly subterfuges！ I ramble through the woods；
and when I return to Charlotte； and find Albert sitting by her
side in the summer…house in the garden； I am unable to bear it；
behave like a fool； and commit a thousand extravagances。 〃For
Heaven's sake；〃 said Charlotte today； 〃let us have no more scenes
like those of last night！ You terrify me when you are so violent。〃
Between ourselves； I am always away now when he visits her： and I
feel delighted when I find her alone。
AUGUST 8。
Believe me； dear Wilhelm； I did not allude to you when I spoke so
severely of those who advise resignation to inevitable fate。 I
did not think it possible for you to indulge such a sentiment。
But in fact you are right。 I only suggest one objection。 In this
world one is seldom reduced to make a selection between two
alternatives。 There are as many varieties of conduct and opinion
as there are turns of feature between an aquiline nose and a flat
one。
You will； therefore； permit me to concede your entire argument；
and yet contrive means to escape your dilemma。
Your position is this； I hear you say： 〃Either you have hopes of
obtaining Charlotte； or you have none。 Well； in the first case；
pursue your course； and press on to the fulfilment of your wishes。
In the second； be a man； and shake off a miserable passion； which
will enervate and destroy you。〃 My dear friend； this is well and
easily said。
But would you require a wretched being； whose life is slowly wasting
under a lingering disease； to despatch himself at once by the
stroke of a dagger？ Does not the very disorder which consumes his
strength deprive him of the courage to effect his deliverance？
You may answer me； if you please； with a similar analogy； 〃Who
would not prefer the amputation of an arm to the periling of life
by doubt and procrastination！〃 But I know not if I am right； and
let us leave these comparisons。
Enough！ There are moments； Wilhelm； when I could rise up and shake
it all off； and when； if I only knew where to go； I could fly from
this place。
THE SAME EVENING。
My diary； which I have for some time neglected； came before me
today； and I am amazed to see how deliberately I have entangled
myself step by step。 To have seen my position so clearly； and
yet to have acted so like a child！ Even still I behold the
result plainly； and yet have no thought of acting with greater
prudence。
AUGUST lO。
If I were not a fool； I could spend the happiest and most delightful
life here。 So many agreeable circumstances； and of a kind to
ensure a worthy man's happiness； are seldom united。 Alas！ I feel
it too sensibly； the heart alone makes our happiness！ To be
admitted into this most charming family； to be loved by the father
as a son； by the children as a father； and by Charlotte！ then the
noble Albert； who never disturbs my happiness by any appearance
of ill…humour； receiving me with the heartiest affection； and
loving me； next to Charlotte； better than all the world！ Wilhelm；
you would be delighted to hear us in our rambles； and conversations
about Charlotte。 Nothing in the world can be more absurd than our
connection； and yet the thought of it often moves me to tears。
He tells me sometimes of her excellent mother； how； upon her
death…bed； she had committed her house and children to Charlotte；
and had given Charlotte herself in charge to him； how； since that
time； a new spirit had taken possession of her； how； in care and
anxiety for their welfare； she became a real mother to them； how
every moment of her time was devoted to some labour of love in
their behalf； and yet her mirth and cheerfulness had never
forsaken her。 I walk by his side； pluck flowers by the way； arrange
them carefully into a nosegay； then fling them into the first
stream I pass； and watch them as they float gently away。 I forget
whether I told you that Albert is to remain here。 He has received
a government appointment； with a very good salary； and I understand
he is in high favour at court。 I have met few persons so punctual
and methodical in business。
AUGUST 12。
Certainly Albert is the best fellow in the world。 I had a strange
scene with him yesterday。 I went to take leave of him； for I took
it into my head to spend a few days in these mountains； from where
I now write to you。 As I was walking up and down his room； my eye
fell upon his pistols。 〃Lend me those pistols；〃 said I； 〃for my
journey。〃 〃By all means；〃 he replied； 〃if you will take the
trouble to load them； for they only hang there for form。〃 I
took down one of them； and he continued； 〃Ever since I was near
suffering for my extreme caution； I will have nothing to do with
such things。〃 I was curious to hear the story。 〃I was staying；〃
said he； 〃some three months ago； at a friend's house in the country。
I had a brace of pistols with me； unloaded； and I s