ic and idyllic qualities, that one is inclined to forget its
deficiencies while listening to the melodious strains.

The scene is laid in Wetzlar in the year 1772.

The first Act takes place in the house of Lotte's father, who is a
bailiff in his native city. He has assembled his younger children to
teach them a new Christmas song. While they are practising two friends
of the bailiff enter and invite him to take supper with them at the
neighbouring inn, he declines however and sits down in his arm chair,
while the smaller children climbing on to his knees begin their
interrupted song once more. During this pretty scene Werther
approaches. He sees Lotte coming out of the house, becomingly attired
for a country-ball. She is duly admired by her father and the
children. Then she acquits herself most charmingly of her household
duties by distributing bread to the children. Werther meanwhile is
cordially welcomed by her father.--Other visitors come in and Lotte
goes to attend the ball, escorted by Werther.

Sophia the second daughter persuades her father to join his friends at
the inn and promises to look after the children.--

He is hardly gone, when Albert, Lotte's affianced husband, who has been
on a journey returns.

On hearing that Lotte is not at home, he leaves the house again.--When
night comes on {415} Lotte returns with Werther. The latter is deeply
in love with her, and she listens to his sweet words like one in a
dream, but when her father informs her that Albert has returned she
comes to her senses. In answer to Werther's questions she tells him,
that she promised her dying mother to wed Albert, which confession
leaves Werther a prey to gloom and despair.

The second Act takes place in the autumn of the same year. Lotte is
married to Albert. She has conquered her sentimental fancy for Werther
and is sitting quietly with her husband, enjoying a peaceful Sabbath
day, and the celebration of the village clergyman's golden wedding.
Werther is a jealous witness of her happiness; but when Albert welcomes
him as a friend, he cannot but accept his overtures.--

Sophia enters with a large bouquet for the clergyman, she is in love
with Werther, but the unhappy young man has eyes for her sister only,
who receives him coldly and bids him leave the village.

On seeing Werther so cast-down, Lotte repents of her harshness and
invites him to celebrate Christmas with her and her husband. But
Werther refuses to