Before we parted he recommended us to a gentleman that was on board, and that nothing should be wanted for our care. And then he withdrew, extending his arms once more towards us in the most distressing manner: so that we were filled with grief and sorrow to see our Father in such a melancholy state.
We begun our course with a fair wind and good weather, which continued for several days.
About twenty days after we were upon the Sea, the wind rose with such violence, that we expected every instant to be cast into the depth of the Ocean: we was in that situation for a considerable time, till at last it pleased the ALMIGHTY to appease the waves, and to send fair weather. We were seventy-two days in crossing the immense Ocean, at the end of which we landed at Bordeaux. Myself and my Brothers were received with great kindness by our Banker, to whom we delivered the letter concerning our coming into France.
The next day we were sent to school in the same Town, to give us the first beginning of education before we could go to College.
Three months after we were arrived in France, we received a letter sealed in black from our Mother, in which the Death of our Father was confirmed: his last parting from this World is too cutting to relate. ("I hope he died happy, and hope to meet him in Glory.")
Though I was so young, the impression of the Death of my Father plunged me into such a melancholy state, that soon after I was seized with a violent fever; no rest was to be found for a long while: in the strongest of my pain I used to get out of my bed and run about the chamber like a madman, crying out, "Oh! my Father! my Father is no more." I was in that state for six months, before my health was established.
As my Father's desire was to give us a good education, he told my Mother when on his Death-bed, that we must be removed as soon as possible to the College: accordingly we were sent into the South of France, at the distance of two-hundred and twenty miles from Bordeaux, to the College of Soreze, one of the most eminent places of teaching that ever existed since the World began; for every thing, consisting of Arts and Sciences was to be learned.
Here is an account of what the College consisted. Teaching Masters, ninety; besides ten prefects to maintain the police into the yards: and twelve-hundred scholars. Instruments of Music of all sorts to be learned; Latin, Greek, German, Spanish, English, Italian, and French tongues to be learned; Writing of different sorts; Reading, Arithmetic; Drawing of all kinds, both of Human-likeness, as also the Landscape: Dancing, both French and English; Ancient History, Chronology, Literature, Declamation, Fortification, Structure, Poesy, Rhetoric, Philosophy, Natural History, Geometry, Geography, Trigonometry, Statics, Fencing, Riding, Military Exercise, Natation, Architecture, Algebra, Mythology, Theology, Cosmography, &c.
I took such a delight in learning, that all my Masters were pleased with my conduct; but this did not last long, for one evening the Director of the College called me and my Brothers, and said, "here is a letter from your Mother that I have just received." On opening the letter I saw these words.
My most beloved Children, it is with grief and sorrow, that I took the pen to inform you of all the misfortunes which have destroyed St. Domingo; your fortune[3] is lost for ever, it is only in your Education, that you will be able to recover it: my long silence would perhaps make you think that I have perished among so many Victims which were destroyed in that unhappy Island, no! the LORD was pleased to save me from so many dangers, that I might be useful again to you; and I hope that by his Mighty Power, He will restore you again to the bosom of a languishing Mother, whose arms are always open to receive your tender embraces.