How much do I owe to that ‘melancholy idea,’ which presented me four such tender and sweet lines! Although you have at present forgiven me, with so much kindness and generosity, I am still apprehensive we may have more disputes; but, however, attend to all that may serve to justify me. I never was fond of the bustle and amusements of the gay world, and you know with what ardour and anxiety I wished for children, and how much of my time has been employed during my whole life, in whatever concerned their education. Married at seventeen years of age, and not being a mother till I was twenty-one, I was apprehensive I should never enjoy that happiness for which I had so ardently wished, and to make myself as much amends as I possibly could for this disappointment, I adopted Madame d’ Ostalis; she was at that time ten years old, and was of an excellent disposition. I educated her with all the care of which I was then capable; and every body was pleased with the method I had pursued. My scholar at fifteen, was the most distinguished young person of her age, for her talents, knowledge, and disposition. I alone was sensible by the experience I had acquired, that I could do much better in future. J. J. Rousseau says, ‘Most people chuse Governors for their children who have been accustomed to that employment. But this is too much to expect; the same man can never complete more than the education of one.’ Experience has proved to me that Rousseau opposes an opinion well founded: the deepest study of the human heart, with every talent united, which is so essentially necessary in a Tutor, will avail nothing, without that experience which alone can be acquired by long practice. It was with great concern I made this discovery, yet it increased the extreme desire I always had for children; certain, that the greatest pleasure of my life would be to dedicate my time to their improvement.