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. Perhaps I am wrong in
charging myself and cousin with idleness at this time, for, in our
lives, we were never less so; and what was extremely fortunate, so
incessantly occupied with our amusements, that we found no
temptation to spend any part of our time in the streets. We made
cages, pipes, kites, drums, houses, ships, and bows; spoiled the tools
of my good old grandfather by endeavoring to make watches in imitation
of him; but our favorite amusement was wasting paper, in drawing,
washing, coloring, etc. There came an Italian mountebank to Geneva,
called Gamber-Corta, who had an exhibition of puppets, that he made
play a kind of comedy. We went once to see them, but could not spare
time to go again, being busily employed in making puppets of our
own, and inventing comedies, which we immediately set about making
them perform, mimicking to the best of our abilities the uncouth voice
of Punch; and, to complete the business, my good aunt and uncle
Bernard had the patience to see and listen to our imitations; but my
uncle, having one day read an elaborate discourse to his family, we
instantly gave up our comedies, and began composing sermons.

  These details, I confess, are not very amusing, but they serve to
demonstrate that the former part of our education was well directed,
since being, at such an early age, the absolute masters of our time,
we found no inclination to abuse it; and so little in want of other
companions, that we constantly neglected every occasion of seeking
them. When taking our walks together, we observed their diversions
without feeling any inclination to partake of them. Friendship so
entirely occupied our hearts, that, pleased with each other's company,
the simplest pastimes were sufficient to delight us.

  We were soon remarked for being thus inseparable: and what
rendered us more conspicuous, my cousin was very tall, myself
extremely short, so that we exhibited a very whimsical contrast.
This meager figure, small, sallow countenance, heavy air, and supine
gait, excited the ridicule of the children, who, in the gibberish of
the country, nicknamed him Barna Bredanna; and we no sooner got out of
doors than our ears were assailed with a repetition of "Barna
Bredanna." He bore this indignity with tolerable patience, but I was
instantly for fighting. This was what the young rogues aimed at. I
engaged accordingly, and was beat. My poor cousin did all in his power
to assist me, but he was weak, and a single stroke brought him to
the ground. I then became furious, and received several smart blows,
some of which were aimed at Barna Bredanna. This quarrel so far
increased the evil, that, to avoid their insults, we could only show
ourselves in the streets while they were employed at school.

  I had already become a redresser of grievances; there only wanted
a lady in the way to be a knight-errant in form. This defect was
soon supplied; I presently had two. I frequently went to see my father
at Nion, a small city in the Vaudois country, where he was now
settled. Being universally respected, the affection entertained for
him extended to me; and, during my visits, the question seemed to
be, who should show me most kindness. A Madam de Vulson, in
particular, loaded me with caresses; and, to complete all, her
daughter made me her gallant. I need not explain what kind of
gallant a boy of eleven must be to a girl of two and twenty; the
artful hussies know how to set these puppets up in front, to conceal
more serious engagements. On my part, I saw no inequality between
myself and Miss Vulson, was flattered by the circumstance, and went
into it with my whole heart, or rather my whole head, for this passion
certainly reached no further, though it transported me almost to
madness, and frequently produced scenes sufficient to make even a
cynic expire with laughter.

  I have experienced two kinds of love, equally real, which have
scarce any affinity, yet each differing materially from tender
friendship. My whole life has been divided between these affections,
and I have frequently felt the power of both at the same instant.
For example, at the very time I so publicly and tyrannically claimed
Miss Vulson, that I could not suffer any other of my sex to approach
her, I had short, but passionate, assignations with a Miss Goton,
who thought proper to act the schoolmistress with me. Our meetings,
though absolutely childish, afforded me the height of happiness. I
felt the whole charm of mystery, and repaid Miss Vulson in kind,
when she least expected it, the use she made of me in concealing her
amours. To my great mortification, this secret was soon discovered,
and I presently lost my young schoolmistress.