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           ThesaintlysoulofElizabethshonelikeashrine-dedicatedlampinourpeacefulhome.Hersympathywasours;hersmile,hersoftvoice,thesweetglanceofhercelestialeyes,wereevertheretoblessandanimateus.Shewasthelivingspiritoflovetosoftenandattract;Imighthavebecomesulleninmystudy,throughtheardourofmynature,butthatshewastheretosubduemetoasemblanceofherowngentleness.AndClerval—couldaughtillentrenchonthenoblespiritofClerval?Yethemightnothavebeensoperfectlyhumane,sothoughtfulinhisgenerosity,sofullofkindnessandtendernessamidsthispassionforadventurousexploit,hadshenotunfoldedtohimthereallovelinessofbeneficenceandmadethedoinggoodtheendandaimofhissoaringambition.

           Ifeelexquisitepleasureindwellingontherecollectionsofchildhood,beforemisfortunehadtaintedmymindandchangeditsbrightvisionsofextensiveusefulnessintogloomyandnarrowreflectionsuponself.Besides,indrawingthepictureofmyearlydays,Ialsorecordthoseeventswhichled,byinsensiblesteps,tomyaftertaleofmisery,forwhenIwouldaccounttomyselfforthebirthofthatpassionwhichafterwardsruledmydestinyIfinditarise,likeamountainriver,fromignobleandalmostforgottensources;but,swellingasitproceeded,itbecamethetorrentwhich,initscourse,hassweptawayallmyhopesandjoys.Naturalphilosophyisthegeniusthathasregulatedmyfate;Idesire,therefore,inthisnarration,tostatethosefactswhichledtomypredilectionforthatscience.WhenIwasthirteenyearsofageweallwentonapartyofpleasuretothebathsnearThonon;theinclemencyoftheweatherobligedustoremainadayconfinedtotheinn.InthishouseIchancedtofindavolumeoftheworksofCorneliusAgrippa.Iopeneditwithapathy;thetheorywhichheattemptstodemonstrateandthewonderfulfactswhichherelatessoonchangedthisfeelingintoenthusiasm.