I came into the world two months too soon, I was in such a hurry.

But when I was twelve years old I caught my first strong glimpse of one of the fundamental forces of existence, whose votary I was destined to be for life - namely, Beauty.

I did not know what it was to be happy for a whole day at a time, scarcely for an hour.

Any feeling that I was enriching my mind from those surrounding me was unfortunately rare with me.

Six hours a day I lived under school discipline in active intercourse with people none of whom were known to those at home, and the other hours of the twenty-four I spent at home, or with relatives of the people at home, none of whom were known to anybody at school.

My first experiences of academic friendship made me smile in after years when I looked back on them. But my circle of acquaintances had gradually grown so large that it was only natural new friendships should grow out of it.

I admired in others the strength that I lacked myself.