第205页 / 共483页

"This reading had puzzled me extremely at first, but by degrees I

discovered that he uttered many of the same sounds when he read

as when he talked. I conjectured, therefore, that he found on the

paper signs for speech which he understood, and I ardently longed

to comprehend these also; but how was that possible when I did

not even understand the sounds for which they stood as signs? I

improved, however, sensibly in this science, but not sufficiently

to follow up any kind of conversation, although I applied my

whole mind to the endeavour, for I easily perceived that,

although I eagerly longed to discover myself to the cottagers, I

ought not to make the attempt until I had first become master of

their language, which knowledge might enable me to make them

overlook the deformity of my figure, for with this also the

contrast perpetually presented to my eyes had made me acquainted.