It is time that this ignorance should vanish. The
knowledge of me and of my actions may be of use to you. It may teach you
to avoid the shoals on which my virtue and my peace have been wrecked;
but to the rest of mankind it can be of no use. The ruin of my fame is,
perhaps, irretrievable; but the height of my iniquity need not be known.
I perceive in you a rectitude and firmness worthy to be trusted; promise
me, therefore, that not a syllable of what I tell you shall ever pass
your lips."

I had lately experienced the inconvenience of a promise; but I was now
confused, embarrassed, ardently inquisitive as to the nature of this
scene, and unapprized of the motives that might afterwards occur,
persuading or compelling me to disclosure. The promise which he exacted
was given. He resumed:--

"I have detained you in my service, partly for your own benefit, but
chiefly for mine. I intended to inflict upon you injury and to do you
good. Neither of these ends can I now accomplish, unless the lessons
which my example may inculcate shall inspire you with fortitude and arm
you with caution.

"What it was that made me thus, I know not. I am not destitute of
understanding. My thirst of knowledge, though irregular, is ardent. I
can talk and can feel as virtue and justice prescribe; yet the tenor of
my actions has been uniform. One tissue of iniquity and folly has been
my life; while my thoughts have been familiar with enlightened and
disinterested principles. Scorn and detestation I have heaped upon
myself. Yesterday is remembered with remorse. To-morrow is contemplated
with anguish and fear; yet every day is productive of the same crimes
and of the same follies.

"I was left, by the insolvency of my father, (a trader of Liverpool,)
without any means of support but such as labour should afford me.
Whatever could generate pride, and the love of independence, was my
portion. Whatever can incite to diligence was the growth of my
condition; yet my indolence was a cureless disease; and there were no
arts too sordid for me to practise.

"I was content to live on the bounty of a kinsman. His family was
numerous, and his revenue small. He forbore to upbraid me, or even to
insinuate the propriety of providing for myself; but he empowered me to
pursue any liberal or mechanical profession which might suit my taste. I
was insensible to every generous motive. I laboured to forget my
dependent and disgraceful condition, because the remembran