aph of the Koran.
The money produced by these valuable relics was laid out in new-painting
my study, and in fitting it up with Chinese mandarins, silken pagodas,
and other pieces of Eastern trumpery.

In consequence of the peculiar opportunities which I enjoyed, I soon
discovered that Wolstang, whom I had long thought rather highly of, was
in reality a very bad character. Some persons of the worst description
in Gottingen appeared to have been his associates. Times without number
I was accosted as an acquaintance by gamblers, pickpockets, usurers, and
prostitutes; and through their means I unravelled a train of imposture,
profligacy, and dissipation, in which he had been long deeply involved.
I discovered that he had two mistresses in keeping; that he had seduced
the daughters of several of the most respectable citizens, and was the
father of no less than seven natural children, whom he had by those
unfortunate women. I found out even worse than this--at least what I
dreaded much more. This was a forgery to an immense amount, which he, in
concert with another person, had committed on an extensive mercantile
house. The accomplice, in a high state of trepidation, came to tell me
that the whole was in a fair way of being blown, and that if we wished
to save our necks, an instantaneous departure from the city was
indispensable. Such a piece of intelligence threw me into great alarm.
If I remained, my apprehension would be inevitable; and how would it be
possible for me to persuade any one that I was not Wolstang? My
conviction and execution must follow; and though I was now so regardless
of life that I would gladly have been in my grave, yet there was
something revolting in the idea of dying for a villain, merely because I
could not show that I was not myself. These reflections had their due
weight, and I resolved to leave Gottingen next day, and escape from the
country altogether.

While meditating upon this scheme, I walked about three miles out of
town for the purpose of maturing my plans, undisturbed by the noise and
bustle of the streets. As I was going slowly along, I perceived a man
walking about a furlong before me. His gait and dress arrested my
attention particularly, and after a few glances I was convinced that he
must be myself. The joy that pervaded my mind at this sight no language
can describe; it was as a glimpse of heaven, and filled me with perfect
ecstasy. Prudence, however, did not forsake me, and I res