

                                 William Godwin

                                        
                                        

                              Things as They Are,

 
or
 
The Adventures of Caleb Williams

                                    Preface

The following narrative is intended to answer a purpose more general and
important than immediately appears upon the face of it. The question now afloat
in the world respecting THINGS AS THEY ARE, is the most interesting that can be
presented to the human mind. While one party pleads for reformation and change,
the other extols in the warmest terms the existing constitution of society. It
seemed as if something would be gained for the decision of this question, if
that constitution were faithfully developed in its practical effects. What is
now presented to the public is no refined and abstract speculation; it is a
study and delineation of things passing in the moral world. It is but of late
that the inestimable importance of political principles has been adequately
apprehended. It is now known to philosophers that the spirit and character of
the government intrudes itself into every rank of society. But this is a truth
highly worthy to be communicated to persons whom books of philosophy and science
are never likely to reach. Accordingly it was proposed in the invention of the
following work, to comprehend, as far as the progressive nature of a single
story would allow, a general review of the modes of domestic and unrecorded
despotism, by which man becomes the destroyer of man. If the author shall have
taught a valuable lesson, without subtracting from the interest and passion by
which a performance of this sort ought to be characterised, he will have reason
to congratulate himself upon the vehicle he has chosen.
 
    MAY 12, 1794.
 
This preface was withdrawn in the original edition, in compliance with the
alarms of booksellers. Caleb Williams made his first appearance in the world, in
the same month in which the sanguinary plot broke out against the liberties of
Englishmen, which was happily terminated by the acquittal of its first intended
victims, in the close of that year. Terror was the order of the day; and it was
feared that even the humble novelist might be shown to be constructively a
traitor.
 
    OCTOBER 29, 1795.
 

                                    Volume I

                                   Chapter I

My life has for several years been a theatre of calamity. I have been a mark for
the vigilance of tyranny, and I could not escape. My fairest prospects have been
blasted. My enemy has shown himself inaccessible to intreaties and untired in
persecution. My fame, as well as my happiness, has become his victim. Every one,
as far as my story has been known, has refused to assist me in my distress, and
has execrated my name. I have not deserved this treatment. My own conscience
witnesses in behalf
