1 Many things I read surpassed my understanding and experience.
2 But in Clerval I saw the image of my former self; he was inquisitive and anxious to gain experience and instruction.
3 I found that these people possessed a method of communicating their experience and feelings to one another by articulate sounds.
4 But so blind is the experience of man that what I conceived to be the best assistants to my plan may have entirely destroyed it.
5 This hovel however, joined a cottage of a neat and pleasant appearance, but after my late dearly bought experience, I dared not enter it.
6 Besides, I found that my understanding improved so much with every day's experience that I was unwilling to commence this undertaking until a few more months should have added to my sagacity.
7 During my first experiment, a kind of enthusiastic frenzy had blinded me to the horror of my employment; my mind was intently fixed on the consummation of my labour, and my eyes were shut to the horror of my proceedings.
8 After having made a few preparatory experiments, he concluded with a panegyric upon modern chemistry, the terms of which I shall never forget: "The ancient teachers of this science," said he, "promised impossibilities and performed nothing."
9 The gentle and domestic manners it described, combined with lofty sentiments and feelings, which had for their object something out of self, accorded well with my experience among my protectors and with the wants which were forever alive in my own bosom.