My original wish was to pass my life in easy, quiet obscurity, with her whom I loved.

I was disappointed in my wish; she was removed, who constituted my only felicity in this life; desolation came to my heart, and misery to my head.

To escape from the latter I had recourse to Chinese.

By degrees the misery left my head, but the desolation of heart yet remains." "Be of good cheer," said I; "through the instrumentality of this affliction you have learnt Chinese, and, in so doing, learnt to practise the duties of hospitality.

Who but a man who could read Runes on a teapot, would have received an unfortunate wayfarer as you have received me ?" "Well," said the old man, "let us hope that all is for the best.