in London. After a long interval, I was informed that if I
wished to learn Chinese I must do so through the medium of French, there
being neither Chinese grammar nor dictionary in our language. I was at
first very much disheartened. I determined, however, at last to gratify
my desire of learning Chinese, even at the expense of learning French. I
procured the books, and in order to qualify myself to turn them to
account, took lessons in French from a little Swiss, the usher of a
neighbouring boarding-school. I was very stupid in acquiring French;
perseverance, however, enabled me to acquire a knowledge sufficient for
the object I had in view. In about two years I began to study Chinese by
myself through the medium of the French.'

'Well,' said I, 'and how did you get on with the study of Chinese?'

And then the old man proceeded to inform me how he got on with the study
of Chinese, enumerating all the difficulties he had had to encounter,
dilating upon his frequent despondency of mind, and occasionally his
utter despair of ever mastering Chinese. He told me that more than once
he had determined upon giving up the study, but then the misery in his
head forthwith returned, to escape from which he had as often resumed it.
It appeared, however, that ten years elapsed before he was able to use
ten of the two hundred and fourteen keys which serve to undo the locks of
Chinese writing.

'And are you able at present to use the entire number?' I demanded.

'Yes,' said the old man; 'I can at present use the whole number. I know
the key for every particular lock, though I frequently find the words
unwilling to give way.'

'Has nothing particular occurred to you,' said I, 'during the time that
you have been prosecuting your studies?'

'During the whole time in which I have been engaged in these studies,'
said the old man, 'only one circumstance has occurred which requires any
particular mention--the death of my old friend the surgeon, who was
carried off suddenly by a fit of apoplexy. His death was a great shock
to me, and for a time interrupted my studies. His son, however, who
succeeded him, was very kind to me, and, in some degree, supplied his
father's place; and I gradually returned to my Chinese locks and keys.'

'And in applying keys to the Chinese locks you employ your time?'

'Yes,' said the old man, 'in making out the inscriptions on the various
pieces of porcelain, which I have at different times procured,