There is little
appearance now of the occasion being renewed; but should I ever return
to that charming spot, and find my favorite walnut tree still
existing, I am convinced I should water it with my tears.
On my return to Geneva, I passed two or three years at my uncle's,
expecting the determination of my friends respecting my future
establishment. His own son being devoted to engineering, was taught
drawing, and instructed by his father in the elements of Euclid: I
partook of these instructions, but was principally fond of drawing.
Meantime they were irresolute, whether to make me a watchmaker, a
lawyer, or a minister. I should have preferred being a minister, as
I thought it must be a charming thing to preach, but the trifling
income which had been my mother's, and was to be divided between my
brother and myself, was too inconsiderable to defray the expense
attending the prosecution of my studies. As my age did not render
the choice very pressing, I remained with my uncle, passing my time
with very little improvement, and paying pretty dear, though not
unreasonably, for my board.
My uncle, like my father, was a man of pleasure, but had not
learned, like him, to abridge his amusements for the sake of
instructing his family, consequently our education was neglected. My
aunt was a devotee, who loved singing psalms better than thinking of
our improvement, so that we were left entirely to ourselves, which
liberty we never abused.
Ever inseparable, we were all the world to each other; and,
feeling no inclination to frequent the company of a number of
disorderly lads of our own age, we learned none of those habits of
libertinism to which our idle life exposed us.
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