I now began to consider seriously my condition, and the circumstances I was reduced to; and I drew up the state of my affairs in writing, not so much to leave them to any that were to come after me—for I was likely to have but few heirs—as to deliver my thoughts from daily poring over them, and afflicting my mind; and as my reason began now to master my despondency, I began to comfort myself as well as I could, and to set the good against the evil, that I might have something to distinguish my case from worse; and I stated very impartially, like debtor and creditor, the comforts I enjoyed against the miseries I suffered, thus:—
Nem azért, hogy utána az írást bárkire is ráhagyományozzam (úgy tűnt, nem leszek túl sok örökössel megáldva), hanem hogy összefoglaljam azokat a gondolataimat, amelyek naponta foglalkoztatnak. Mivel kezdett erőt venni rajtam a csüggedés, azzal nyugtattam magam, hogy összevetettem jelenlegi életem jó és rossz oldalát.