Франкенштейн

           Iamabouttoproceedonalonganddifficultvoyage,theemergenciesofwhichwilldemandallmyfortitude: Iamrequirednotonlytoraisethespiritsofothers,butsometimestosustainmyown,whentheirsarefailing. 

           ThisisthemostfavourableperiodfortravellinginRussia. Theyflyquicklyoverthesnowintheirsledges; themotionispleasant,and,inmyopinion,farmoreagreeablethanthatofanEnglishstagecoach. Thecoldisnotexcessive,ifyouarewrappedinfurs —adresswhichIhavealreadyadopted,forthereisagreatdifferencebetweenwalkingthedeckandremainingseatedmotionlessforhours,whennoexercisepreventsthebloodfromactuallyfreezinginyourveins. Ihavenoambitiontolosemylifeonthepost-roadbetweenSt.PetersburghandArchangel. 

           Ishalldepartforthelattertowninafortnightorthreeweeks; andmyintentionistohireashipthere,whichcaneasilybedonebypayingtheinsurancefortheowner,andtoengageasmanysailorsasIthinknecessaryamongthosewhoareaccustomedtothewhale-fishing. IdonotintendtosailuntilthemonthofJune;andwhenshallIreturn? Ah,dearsister,howcanIanswerthisquestion? IfIsucceed,many,manymonths,perhapsyears,willpassbeforeyouandImaymeet. IfIfail,youwillseemeagainsoon,ornever. 

           Farewell,mydear,excellentMargaret. Heavenshowerdownblessingsonyou,andsaveme,thatImayagainandagaintestifymygratitudeforallyourloveandkindness. 

           Youraffectionatebrother, R.Walton