I procured the books, and in order to qualify myself to turn them to account, took lessons in French from a little Swiss, the usher of a neighbouring boarding-school.

I was very stupid in acquiring French; perseverance, however, enabled me to acquire a knowledge sufficient for the object I had in view.

In about two years I began to study Chinese by myself, through the medium of the French." "Well," said I, "and how did you get on with the study of Chinese ?" And then the old man proceeded to inform me how he got on with the study of Chinese, enumerating all the difficulties he had had to encounter; dilating upon his frequent despondency of mind, and occasionally his utter despair of ever mastering Chinese.

He told me that more than once he had determined upon giving up the study, but then the misery in his head forthwith returned, to escape from which he had as often resumed it.
It appeared, however, that ten years elapsed before he was able to use ten of the two hundred and fourteen keys which serve to undo the locks of Chinese writing.
"And are you able at present to use the entire number ?" I demanded.
"Yes," said the old man; "I can at present use the whole number.

I know the key for every particular lock, though I frequently find the wards unwilling to give way." "Has nothing particular occurred to you," said I, "during the time that you have been prosecuting your studies ?" "During the whole time in which I have been engaged in these studies," said the old man, "only one circumstance has occurred which requires any particular mention--the death of my old friend the surgeon--who was carried off suddenly by a fit of apoplexy.