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           Perhapsduringformeryearshehadsufferedfromthelate-discoveredunworthinessofonebelovedandsowasdisposedtosetagreatervalueontriedworth.Therewasashowofgratitudeandworshipinhisattachmenttomymother,differingwhollyfromthedotingfondnessofage,foritwasinspiredbyreverenceforhervirtuesandadesiretobethemeansof,insomedegree,recompensingherforthesorrowsshehadendured,butwhichgaveinexpressiblegracetohisbehaviourtoher.Everythingwasmadetoyieldtoherwishesandherconvenience.Hestrovetoshelterher,asafairexoticisshelteredbythegardener,fromeveryrougherwindandtosurroundherwithallthatcouldtendtoexcitepleasurableemotioninhersoftandbenevolentmind.Herhealth,andeventhetranquillityofherhithertoconstantspirit,hadbeenshakenbywhatshehadgonethrough.Duringthetwoyearsthathadelapsedprevioustotheirmarriagemyfatherhadgraduallyrelinquishedallhispublicfunctions;andimmediatelyaftertheiruniontheysoughtthepleasantclimateofItaly,andthechangeofsceneandinterestattendantonatourthroughthatlandofwonders,asarestorativeforherweakenedframe.

           FromItalytheyvisitedGermanyandFrance.I,theireldestchild,wasbornatNaples,andasaninfantaccompaniedthemintheirrambles.Iremainedforseveralyearstheironlychild.Muchastheywereattachedtoeachother,theyseemedtodrawinexhaustiblestoresofaffectionfromaverymineoflovetobestowthemuponme.Mymother’stendercaressesandmyfather’ssmileofbenevolentpleasurewhileregardingmearemyfirstrecollections.Iwastheirplaythingandtheiridol,andsomethingbetter—theirchild,theinnocentandhelplesscreaturebestowedonthembyheaven,whomtobringuptogood,andwhosefuturelotitwasintheirhandstodirecttohappinessormisery,accordingastheyfulfilledtheirdutiestowardsme.