*The author of the diary and the diary itself

are, of course, imaginary. Nevertheless it is clear

that such persons as the writer of these notes

not only may, but positively must, exist in our

society, when we consider the circumstances in

the midst of which our society is formed. I have

tried to expose to the view of the public more

distinctly than is commonly done, one of the

characters of the recent past. He is one of the

representatives of a generation still living. In this

fragment, entitled |Underground,| this person

introduces himself and his views, and, as it were,

tries to explain the causes owing to which he has

made his appearance and was bound to make his

appearance in our midst. In the second fragment

there are added the actual notes of this person

concerning certain events in his life. -- AUTHOR'S NOTE.