Page 50 of 483

A mind of moderate capacity which closely pursues one study must

infallibly arrive at great proficiency in that study; and I, who

continually sought the attainment of one object of pursuit and

was solely wrapped up in this, improved so rapidly that at the

end of two years I made some discoveries in the improvement of

some chemical instruments, which procured me great esteem and

admiration at the university. When I had arrived at this point

and had become as well acquainted with the theory and practice of

natural philosophy as depended on the lessons of any of the

professors at Ingolstadt, my residence there being no longer

conducive to my improvements, I thought of returning to my

friends and my native town, when an incident happened that

protracted my stay.