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My father saw this change with pleasure, and he turned his

thoughts towards the best method of eradicating the remains of my

melancholy, which every now and then would return by fits, and

with a devouring blackness overcast the approaching sunshine. At

these moments I took refuge in the most perfect solitude. I

passed whole days on the lake alone in a little boat, watching

the clouds and listening to the rippling of the waves, silent and

listless. But the fresh air and bright sun seldom failed to

restore me to some degree of composure, and on my return I met

the salutations of my friends with a readier smile and a more

cheerful heart.

It was after my return from one of these rambles that my father,

calling me aside, thus addressed me,