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[As] <"As> yet I looked upon crime as a distant evil; benevolence and generosity were ever present before me, inciting within me a desire to become an actor in the busy scene where so many admirable qualities were called forth and displayed. But, in giving an account of the progress of my intellect, I must not omit a circumstance which occurred in the beginning of the month of August of the same year.
"One night, during my accustomed visit to the neighbouring wood, where I collected my own food, and brought home firing for my protectors, I found on the ground a leathern portmanteau, containing several articles of dress and some books. I eagerly seized the prize, and returned with it to my hovel. Fortunately the books were written in the [language] <language,> the elements of which I had acquired at the cottage; they consisted of [Paradise Lost,] <'Paradise Lost,'> a volume of [Plutarch's Lives,] <'Plutarch's Lives,'> and the [Sorrors of Werter.] <'Sorrows of Werter.'> The possession of these treasures gave me extreme delight; I now continually studied and exercised my mind upon these histories, whilst my friends were employed in their ordinary occupations.
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