Arabic formed the basis of them all, except the Negro tongue.

At first he mixed them up, but as he grew, Mrs.Hilliard insisted that his nurse should speak one for a month, and then use another; so that, by the time he was twelve years old, the boy could speak in the Negro tongue, and half a dozen dialects, with equal facility.
His mother had, years before, engaged a teacher of Arabic for him.

This he learned readily, as it was the root of the Egyptian and the other languages he had picked up.

Of a morning, he sat in the school and learned pure Arabic and Turkish, while the boys learned English; and therefore, without an effort, when he was twelve years old he talked these languages as well as English; and had, moreover, a smattering of Italian and French, picked up from boys of his own age, for his mother had now many acquaintances among the European community.
While she was occupied in the afternoon, with her pupils, the boy had liberty to go about as he pleased; and indeed she encouraged him to take long walks, to swim, and to join in all games and exercises.
"English boys at home," she said, "have many games, and it is owing to these that they grow up so strong and active.

They have more opportunities than you, but you must make the most of those that you have.