Only long persuasion on the part of Dr. Clark has influenced me as to the fitness of writing a preface to this fundamental work by Freud. I am unfamiliar with American customs, and with us in Europe this sort of formal introduction is not required for the scholar may represent the master before the public; but other countries have other customs. However, more mature deliberation has finally led me to find this task both pleasant and sensible,---pleasant because it gives me the opportunity to express publicly my gratitude for a new and valuable performance, and sensible because this grateful pupil is not so badly adapted to direct the attention of the circle of scientific readers to a work, the study of which helps so much to enlarge and deepen proper theoretic understanding to master so many practical aspects of psychoanalytic activity.

This little work, seemingly so modest, is in reality an attempt by Freud to bring his views on the mechanisms of the neurotic symptom-formation in harmony with the peak of his now successfully established metapsychology. On this occasion and with unsparing rectitude he has revised all of his leading expressions as to the sources of energy of the more recent symptoms and the wherefore of their makeup; his critical spirit does not rest until it has disposed of all possible counter-arguments and when it is unsuccessful he candidly admits the temporary insolubility of the problems. This justifies my opinion, elsewhere expressed, that Freud is actually not a strict Freudian and refutes the views expressed by hostile critics as to his "orthodoxy." It may be foreseen that the same opponents can gain more important positions by assertions as to inconsequence and omission, without withdrawing their complaints as to orthodoxy. In reality the entire fabric of Freud's psychology of the neuroses, even after the strictest revision, stands essentially in full stability for only on occasion are the foundation pillars exchanged or shifted to more favorable positions.

Moreover, the other assertion, that the finer makeup of the ego psychology has destroyed the libido theory formerly erected by Freud, is absolutely false. From the beginning Freud knew how to value the importance of the ego impulses as suppressors of energy although it is only in the present work that he has succeeded in elaborating this view in detail.

I will forego any attempt to anticipate the contents of this thesis and will be content to assure the reader that the time expended in reading it will be richly repaid and will awaken the impression that the master has again presented us with a work which may be placed side by side in value with the publications of his earlier years.

S. Ferenczi (Budapest)

New York, January, 1927.