He told
me that more than once he had determined upon giving up the study,
but when the misery in his head forthwith returned, to escape from
which he had as often resumed it. It appeared, however, that ten
years elapsed before he was able to use ten of the two hundred and
fourteen keys, which serve to undo the locks of Chinese writing.
"And are you able at present to use the entire number?" I demanded.
"Yes," said the old man; "I can at present use the whole number. I
know the key for every particular lock, though I frequently find
the wards unwilling to give way."
"Has nothing particular occurred to you," said I, "during the time
that you have been prosecuting your studies?"
"During the whole time in which I have been engaged in these
studies," said the old man, "only one circumstance has occurred
which requires any particular mention--the death of my old friend
the surgeon--who was carried off suddenly by a fit of apoplexy.
His death was a great shock to me, and for a time interrupted my
studies. His son, however, who succeeded him, was very kind to me,
and, in some degree, supplied his father's place; and I gradually
returned to my Chinese locks and keys."
"And in applying keys to the Chinese locks you employ your time?"
"Yes," said the old man, "in making out the inscriptions on the
various pieces of porcelain, which I have at different times
procured, I pass my time.
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