Pagina 242 de 483

"The volume of Plutarch's Lives which I possessed contained the

histories of the first founders of the ancient republics. This

book had a far different effect upon me from the Sorrows of

Werter. I learned from Werter's imaginations despondency and

gloom, but Plutarch taught me high thoughts; he elevated me above

the wretched sphere of my own reflections, to admire and love the

heroes of past ages. Many things I read surpassed my

understanding and experience. I had a very confused knowledge of

kingdoms, wide extents of country, mighty rivers, and boundless

seas. But I was perfectly unacquainted with towns and large

assemblages of men. The cottage of my protectors had been the

only school in which I had studied human nature, but this book

developed new and mightier scenes of action. I read of men

concerned in public affairs, governing or massacring their

species.