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My father observed with pain the alteration perceptible in my

disposition and habits and endeavoured by arguments deduced from

the feelings of his serene conscience and guiltless life to

inspire me with fortitude and awaken in me the courage to dispel

the dark cloud which brooded over me. "Do you think, Victor,"

said he, "that I do not suffer also? No one could love a child

more than I loved your brother"-tears came into his eyes as he

spoke-"but is it not a duty to the survivors that we should

refrain from augmenting their unhappiness by an appearance of

immoderate grief? It is also a duty owed to yourself, for

excessive sorrow prevents improvement or enjoyment, or even the

discharge of daily usefulness, without which no man is fit for

society."