In the year following, 1740, I quarrelled with one young Wallenrodt,
a fellow-student, much stronger than myself, and who, despising my
weakness, thought proper to give me a blow. I demanded
satisfaction. He came not to the appointed place, but treated my
demand with contempt; and I, forgetting all further respect,
procured a second, and attacked him in open day. We fought, and I
had the fortune to wound him twice; the first time in the arm, the
second in the hand.

This affair incited inquiry:- Doctor Kowalewsky, our tutor, laid
complaints before the University, and I was condemned to three
hours' confinement; but my grandfather and guardian, President
Derschau, was so pleased with my courage, that he took me from this
house and placed me under Professor Christiani.

Here I first began to enjoy full liberty, and from this worthy man I
learnt all I know of experimental philosophy and science. He loved
me as his own son, and continued instructing me till midnight.
Under his auspices, in 1742, I maintained, with great success, two
public theses, although I was then but sixteen; an effort and an
honour till then unknown.

Three days after my last public exordium, a contemptible fellow
sought a quarrel with me, and obliged me to draw in my own defence,
whom, on this occasion, I wounded in the groin.

This success inflated my valour, and from that time I began to
assume the air and appearance of a Hector.

Scarcely had a fortnight elapsed before I had another with a