 saw him. You have been tutored and refined by books and
retirement from the world, and you are, therefore, somewhat fastidious; but this
only renders you the more fit to appreciate the extraordinary merits of this
wonderful man. Sometimes I have endeavoured to discover what quality it is which
he possesses, that elevates him so immeasurably above any other person I ever
knew. I believe it to be an intuitive discernment; a quick but never-failing
power of judgment; a pentration into the causes of things, unequalled for
clearness and precision; add to this a facility of expression, and a voice whose
varied intonations are soul-subduing music.
 
                                                                August 19, 17 -.
 
Yesterday the stranger said to me, »You may easily perceive, Captain Walton,
that I have suffered great and unparalleled misfortunes. I had determined, at
one time, that the memory of these evils should die with me; but you have won me
to alter my determination. You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and
I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to
sting you, as mine has been. I do not know that the relation of my disasters
will be useful to you; yet, when I reflect that you are pursuing the same
course, exposing yourself to the same dangers which have rendered me what I am,
I imagine that you may deduce an apt moral from my tale; one that may direct you
if you succeed in your undertaking, and console you in case of failure. Prepare
to hear of occurrences which are usually deemed marvellous. Were we among the
tamer scenes of nature, I might fear to encounter your unbelief, perhaps your
ridicule; but many things will appear possible in these wild and mysterious
regions, which would provoke the laughter of those unacquainted with the
ever-varied powers of nature: - nor can I doubt but that my tale conveys in its
series internal evidence of the truth of the events of which it is composed.«
    You may easily imagine that I was much gratified by the offered
communication; yet I could not endure that he should renew his grief by a
recital of his misfortunes. I felt the greatest eagerness to hear the promised
narrative, partly from curiosity, and partly from a strong desire to ameliorate
his fate, if it were in my power. I expressed these feelings in my answer.
    »I thank you,« he replied, »for your sympathy, but it is useless; my fate is
nearly fulfilled. I wait but for one event, and then I shall repose in peace. I
