My father, who was very ancient, had given me a competent share of learning, as far as house-education and a country free school generally go, and designed me for the law; but I would be satisfied with nothing but going to sea; and my inclination to this led me so strongly against the will, nay, the commands of my father, and against all the entreaties and persuasions of my mother and other friends, that there seemed to be something fatal in that propensity of nature, tending directly to the life of misery which was to befall me.
E makacs hajlamomtól hajtva, ellene szegültem apám intelmeinek, sőt parancsainak éppúgy, mint anyám és barátaim tanácsainak és győzködésének. Szerintük volt valami végzetes ebben a természet iránti vonzalomban.