There have been various new _Lives_ of Schiller since this one first saw the light;—great changes in our notions, informations, in our relations to the Life of Schiller, and to other things connected therewith, during that long time! Into which I could not in the least enter on the present occasion. Such errors, one or two, as lay corrigible on the surface, I have pointed out by here and there a Note as I read; but of errors that lay deeper there could no charge be taken: to break the surface, to tear-up the old substance, and model _it_ anew, was a task that lay far from me,—that would have been frightful to me. What was written remains written; and the Reader, by way of constant commentary, when needed, has to say to himself, "It was written Twenty years ago." For newer instruction on Schiller's Biography he can consult the _Schillers Leben_ of Madame von Wolzogen, which Goethe once called a _Schiller Redivivus_; the _Briefwechsel zwischen Schiller und Goethe_;—or, as a summary of the whole, and the readiest inlet to the general subject for an English reader, Sir Edward Bulwer's _Sketch of Schiller's Life_, a vigorous and lively piece of writing, prefixed to his _Translations from Schiller_. The present little Book is very imperfect:—but it pretends also to be very harmless; it can innocently instruct those who are more ignorant than itself! To which ingenuous class, according to their wants and tastes, let it, with all good wishes, and hopes to meet afterwards in fruitfuler provinces, be heartily commended. T. CARLYLE. _London, 7th May 1845._ PART I. SCHILLER'S YOUTH (1759-1784). PART FIRST. [1759-1784.]