Conrad, Joseph

                        The Secret Agent. A Simple Tale

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                                 Joseph Conrad

                                The Secret Agent

                                 A Simple Tale

                                 To H. G. Wells
the chronicler of Mr. Lewisham's love, the biographer of Kipps, and the
historian of the ages to come this simple tale of the XIX century is
affectionately offered
 

                                 Author's Note

The origin of »The Secret Agent«: subject, treatment, artistic purpose and every
other motive that may induce an author to take up his pen, can, I believe, be
traced to a period of mental and emotional reaction.
    The actual facts are that I began this book impulsively and wrote it
continuously. When in due course it was bound and delivered to the public gaze I
found myself reproved for having produced it at all. Some of the admonitions
were severe, others had a sorrowful note. I have not got them textually before
me but I remember perfectly the general argument, which was very simple; and
also my surprise at its nature. All this sounds a very old story now! And yet it
is not such a long time ago. I must conclude that I had still preserved much of
my pristine innocence in the year 1907. It seems to me now that even an artless
person might have foreseen that some criticisms would be based on the ground of
sordid surroundings and the moral squalor of the tale.
    That of course is a serious objection. It was not universal. In fact it
seems ungracious to remember so little reproof amongst so much intelligent and
sympathetic appreciation; and I trust that the readers of this Preface will not
hasten to put it down to wounded vanity or a natural disposition to ingratitude.
I suggest that a charitable heart could very well ascribe my choice to natural
modesty. Yet it isn't exactly modesty that makes me select reproof for the
illustration of my case. No, it isn't exactly modesty. I am not at all certain
that I am modest; but those who have read so far through my work will credit me
with enough decency, tact, savoir faire, what you will, to prevent me from
making a song for my own glory out of the words of other people. No! The true
motive of my selection lies in quite a different trait. I have always had