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Chapter 1

I am by birth a Genevese, and my family is one of the most

distinguished of that republic. My ancestors had been for many

years counsellors and syndics, and my father had filled several

public situations with honour and reputation. He was respected by

all who knew him for his integrity and indefatigable attention to

public business. He passed his younger days perpetually occupied

by the affairs of his country; a variety of circumstances had

prevented his marrying early, nor was it until the decline of

life that he became a husband and the father of a family.