"
I love good eating; am sensual, but not greedy; I have such a
variety of inclinations to gratify, that this can never predominate;
and unless my heart is unoccupied, which very rarely happens, I pay
but little attention to my appetite: to purloining eatables, but
extended this propensity to everything I wished to possess, and if I
did not become a robber in form, it was only because money never
tempted me.
My master had a closet in the workshop, which he kept locked; this I
contrived to open and shut as often as I pleased, and laid his best
tools, fine drawings, impressions, in a word, everything he wished
to keep from me, under contribution. These thefts were so far
innocent, that they were always employed in his service, but I was
transported at having the trifles in my possession, and imagined I
stole the art with its productions. Besides what I have mentioned, his
boxes contained threads of gold and silver, a number of small
jewels, valuable medals, and money; yet, though I seldom had five sous
in my pocket, I do not recollect ever having cast a wishful look at
them; on the contrary, I beheld these valuables rather with terror
than delight.
I am convinced the dread of taking money was, in a great measure,
the effect of education. There was mingled with the idea of it the
fear of infamy, a prison, punishment, and death: had I even felt the
temptation, these objects would have made me tremble; whereas my
failings appeared a species of waggery, and, in truth, they were
little else; they could but occasion a good trimming, and this I was
already prepared for.
Pages:
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56