The  early  disparagement  which  the  Second  Part
of  Faust  received  is  only  in  our  day  beginning  to
give  way  to  an  intelligent  recognition  of  its  grand
design,  its  wealth  of  illustration,  and  the  almost
inexhaustible  variety  and  beauty  of  its  rhythmi-
cal forms  Although  its  two  chief  offences  (to  the
German  mind)  are  not  yet,  and  perhaps  never  can
be  wholly,  condoned,  the  period  of  misconception
is  over,  and  the  voices  of  rage  or  contempt,  once
so  frequently  heard,  are  becoming  faint  and  few.
