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I remembered also the necessity imposed upon me of either

journeying to England or entering into a long correspondence with

those philosophers of that country whose knowledge and

discoveries were of indispensable use to me in my present

undertaking. The latter method of obtaining the desired

intelligence was dilatory and unsatisfactory; besides, I had an

insurmountable aversion to the idea of engaging myself in my

loathsome task in my father's house while in habits of familiar

intercourse with those I loved. I knew that a thousand fearful

accidents might occur, the slightest of which would disclose a

tale to thrill all connected with me with horror. I was aware

also that I should often lose all self-command, all capacity of

hiding the harrowing sensations that would possess me during the

progress of my unearthly occupation. I must absent myself from

all I loved while thus employed.