------------------------------------------------------------------------ Transcriber’s Note: This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects. Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_. A number of long horizontal and vertical brackets are simulated. Superscripted characters are preceded by ‘^’, and if multiple characters are raised, they are delimited by ‘{}’. Footnotes have been moved to follow the sections in which they are referenced. Minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected. Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE DECLINE OF THE WEST [Illustration] THE DECLINE OF THE WEST FORM AND ACTUALITY BY OSWALD SPENGLER _AUTHORIZED TRANSLATION WITH NOTES BY_ CHARLES FRANCIS ATKINSON LONDON: GEORGE ALLEN & UNWIN LTD. RUSKIN HOUSE, 40 MUSEUM STREET, W.C. 1 PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THIS TRANSLATION IS DEDICATED TO ELLINOR JAMES A FRIEND _Wenn im Unendlichen dasselbe Sich wiederholend ewig fliesst, Das tausendfältige Gewölbe Sich kräftig ineinander schliesst; Strömt Lebenslust aus allen Dingen, Dem kleinsten wie dem grössten Stern, Und alles Drängen, alles Ringen Ist ewige Ruh in Gott dem Herrn._ —GOETHE. TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE